User Panel
Posted: 6/16/2019 10:17:14 PM EDT
Power come to my house from the pole to my electrical meter. From the meter it goes to my main house panel. From there you run wire to subpanel in an out buildings or whatever. Why couldn't you just run a second set of wires directly from the meter to a main panel in an out building? So, 2 main panels running from one meter.
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You have to follow the National Eletrit Code.
That's what Eletritians use. |
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You could do this if you installed a separate disconnect switch at the meter location for each panel being fed. 6 is the maximum number of disconnects that would be allowed in this configuration.
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You could do this if you installed a separate disconnect switch at the meter location for each panel being fed. 6 is the maximum number of disconnects that would be allowed in this configuration. View Quote |
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Thanks. So could both panels be 200 amp? Would I have to change wire from pole to meter? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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You could do this if you installed a separate disconnect switch at the meter location for each panel being fed. 6 is the maximum number of disconnects that would be allowed in this configuration. |
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You could if the load side lugs on the meter are listed to have multiple conductors , the line side conductors and meter socket are rated for the calculated load, the conductors to your other building are treated as service and does not enter your primary building. The other building needs to have its own grounding electrode system etc.
To do two 200’s you’d need a 320 meter base and sufficient line side conductors. Check with your local electrical inspector as local codes often modify the model code. |
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You'd have to climb up the pole and measure the wire first. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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You could do this if you installed a separate disconnect switch at the meter location for each panel being fed. 6 is the maximum number of disconnects that would be allowed in this configuration. |
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You could if the load side lugs on the meter are listed to have multiple conductors , the line side conductors and meter socket are rated for the calculated load, the conductors to your other building are treated as service and does not enter your primary building. The other building needs to have its own grounding electrode system etc. To do two 200’s you’d need a 320 meter base and sufficient line side conductors. Check with your local electrical inspector as local codes often modify the model code. View Quote |
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Wise ass. You guys are jealous because you didn't have this brain storm. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes |
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Your service entry will only support 200A of load, regardless of how many 200 amp panels you put on it.
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If you fed two panels from the same meter without a breaker you could electrocute someone on one of the services if it was turned off, but the other was still on.
If the main panel was down and the "secondary" panel was hot, you could backfeed into the main panel if the secondary panel had a bad ground. Basically your white wires on the main panel could go hot from the fault in the second panel, and you'd ground the system by touching any white connector off of the (theoretically disconnected) main panel. |
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Power come to my house from the pole to my electrical meter. From the meter it goes to my main house panel. From there you run wire to subpanel in an out buildings or whatever. Why couldn't you just run a second set of wires directly from the meter to a main panel in an out building? So, 2 main panels running from one meter. View Quote |
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Quoted:
Power come to my house from the pole to my electrical meter. From the meter it goes to my main house panel. From there you run wire to subpanel in an out buildings or whatever. Why couldn't you just run a second set of wires directly from the meter to a main panel in an out building? So, 2 main panels running from one meter. View Quote |
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The NEC allows the described installation as long as it follows local code and article 230 & 250 .
If it is installed correctly it is not dangerous under normal conditions. There’s always if’s and but’s but it is allowed. Unless you know of a section in the nec that prohibits it. |
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I fed my shop from a new set of wires from my pole. I ran the conduit with wire to my shop from the pole to the shop. Then I had an electrician do the scary part. He pulled the meter, pulled out my old panel box and installed a new, larger box that could handle the two feeds. His part took two guys about two hours to do. That, and all of the new parts, cost about $800 end of last year.
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Op you probably save money if you just installed a service panel before your meter. Instead of after make sure you have a disconnect so no one gets hurt
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You *could*. If you didn't care about breaking the law or setting things on fire. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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Power come to my house from the pole to my electrical meter. From the meter it goes to my main house panel. From there you run wire to subpanel in an out buildings or whatever. Why couldn't you just run a second set of wires directly from the meter to a main panel in an out building? So, 2 main panels running from one meter. |
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Quoted: Your idea isn't new or ground breaking what so ever. It comes down to current equipment, logistics and cost. To run electricity to my shop it was easier to go from the main panel through the ceiling in the basement, out the foundation and under ground. Instead of ripping up asphalt to do what you're suggesting Your service from the street is only X amount of amps. I'm not sure im seeing a benefit here without a larger or an additional service View Quote ETA Ok so maybe I implied it was a new idea but meant it was a new idea for me |
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You have to follow the National Eletrit Code. That's what Eletritians use. View Quote |
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View Quote I will be stealing this for use in all text communications with my distribution guys |
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You could do this if you installed a separate disconnect switch at the meter location for each panel being fed. 6 is the maximum number of disconnects that would be allowed in this configuration. View Quote Attached File Attached File |
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Wise ass. You guys are jealous because you didn't have this brain storm. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes |
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Your service entry will only support 200A of load, regardless of how many 200 amp panels you put on it. View Quote As far as the OP’s question. Most 200a meter bases are not set up for multiple conductor terminations. Some 320’s are so you would need to upgrade that then put some disconnects under it. At that point you might as well get the power company to upgrade you from a 200 to a 400a service. |
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Yesterday, I couldn't even spell "electrician".
Today, I is one. |
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The answer is yes with a caveat.
There are specific meters/devices for what you are trying to do. So your contractor will likely have to purchase one. Depending on the size of your current panel you may not have capacity for the additional load. However, it's likely you do have it so I wouldn't worry too much. Call and electrician and have them do an estimate. Based on pricing in my ao. You would be looking at 1000-1500 in materials alone. I couldn't speak to labor as I just sell to contractors I don't actually get my hands dirty. |
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