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gergmcd · Mar 10, 2007, 12:54 PM

I recently bought a lot and put up a temporary power pole. I installed a 200 amp meter box with a Siemens 200 amp main breaker panel. I plan on camping with my Pop-up (30 amps), and also want a separate 20 amp circuit. Since I don't have a footprint for a future house yet, I had to apply for a well permit. County Inspection said I can only have a 60 amp service panel for this permit. Is it possible to change out the 200 amp main breaker with a 60 amp so I can keep the panel presently installed?
I've been told I can do this, then just increase the size of the breaker later when I need to. I haven't seen any 60 amp service entrance panels in Lowe's or Home Depot. I'm a do-it-yourselfer, and really want to avoid hiring an electrician unless it's necessary. Thanks, GH

nmwirez · Mar 10, 2007, 01:19 PM

Wow, things have changed in the country. What I used to do was apply for an agricultural permit for the well installation. This way a 200 amp panel would have been allowed. Sounds like things are getting more cityfied?
First up, it depends on how long that lateral or drop length is going to be at the pole. A 240v 60amp box will generally be only a 4 slot disconnect box and will not appear anything like a 200amp meter main combination panel that I used to install.:D

If you plan on making this a house main, I would make sure that the utility lines are sized for that and make sure the conductors are sized for line drop if the run is going to be over a couple hundred feet. This is regardless of what the temporary is going to be. The POCO holds the key to what you get to the panel, the building department holds the key to what your permit allows POCO to meter up.

So I hope you see, that a 60amp 240 vac service is not big enough for a single dwelling or allowed for home installations according to the NEC. It may work with the local rules but 100A is the minimum. Nm :)

tkrussell · Mar 10, 2007, 01:53 PM

Really depends on the location of the main breaker,is it part of and builtin into the meter trim? Or is it in the panel? I suppose the best scenario would be that there is a 200 amp main breaker in the meter, so that you can then connect it to a smaller panel that has a 60 amp main in it. Of course the new 60 amp panel can only be a short distance away, hopefully directly below the meter/disconnect on the pole.

With the panel having a 60 amp main, should get you through the county inspection for an undeveloped parcel.

The smallest amperage panel is 70 amp, probably a 6 or 8 circuit. In this must be a 60 amp main breaker, wired and labeled as a main, to include the main breaker retaining kit.

If you need to change out a 200 amp breaker to a 60, here is where you will have problems, since a 200 amp frame is so much larger than any 60 amp. Hopefully you can use my scenario, and hopefully it will be allowed.

If what you have is not what I think, then some photos will help.