Ok I am at the tail end of a never ending electrical install in my home (new construction).

I have 2 – Square D - 200amp load centers (like below) Product Detail : QO140M200 Load Center 200A, Main Type: Convertible - Factory installed main breaker - Schneider Electric (http://ecatalog.squared.com/fulldetail.cfm?partnumber=QO140M200)

1 – Milbank 400 Meter box - U3949-X-HSP
Couldn’t find a link?? But it is a big box, with the socket in it, no lugs, not place for breakers or disconnects, if you find it online give me the link :)

Anyway on to the issues... the meter will be on the east side of my home. My first breaker box ill be in the garage about 75’ away from the meter, and the second will be on the second floor a good distance also... the entire house is almost completely wired (circuits/rooms to load centers) just dangling there, lol. My problem is connecting the load centers to the meter box, I do believe I need means of disconnect outside to meet code (southwest Florida) but the Milbank U3949-X-HSP didn’t come with any lugs or a door section for a disconnect or 2... Please all suggestions will be appreciated.

Also I might be adding a genny to this place at some point if that makes any diffrence :)

Thanks Bill

Who sold you the meter pan? They should have also sold you the proper lugs for line and load side.

With the panels that far in you will certainly need disconnects outside or just inside. Probably the best thing would be two disconnects, one on each side of the meter, then run 4/0AL, or 2/0CU SER to each panel.

Don't forget, water bonds and grounding electrode conductors must go to the disconnects, not the panels.

Who sold you the meter pan? They should have also sold you the proper lugs for line and load side.

With the panels that far in you will certainly need disconnects outside or just inside. Probably the best thing would be two disconnects, one on each side of the meter, then run 4/0AL, or 2/0CU SER to each panel.

Don't forget, water bonds and grounding electrode conductors must go to the disconnects, not the panels.

I agree! The main panels are way to far away.

You may need to bring in some help.

OK well this just became a lot more fun, lol.. I will be having an electrican come in to do final walk through and button up the breaker boxes. I'm just trying to get all these ducks in a row before I call him, less time he's there less money I spend.

useless info warning:
Lost the first house on this land to hurricane charlie, and Ins Co. was less then helpful which was compounded buy less then apt sub contractor that did the structural work, put me about 28k in the hole :(
useless info end

Well stan you actually answered another question I had but didn't get to ask yet, very clairvoyant of you :) the SER cable I was going to use was 2/0AL which you beat me to the punch will not work from meter to breaker, it was free I can't complain too much.. the guy that donated it to me said it soposedly is underground line used by the local P&L. now that I look at it seems to be 3 conductor 2/0AL and a 1/0AL w/ a green stripe. Oh well that will find a good home I'm sure :)

Just to make sure I got all this strait..

http://pic80.picturetrail.com/VOL826/4336175/20062320/324989426.jpg

Is there a box with 2 disconnect mounts I can use? The meter box is already huge on the side of the house, if I can run both sets out of the meter into one box, then threw the disconnects, then into the 2 load centers it would cut down on the wall clutter outside..

Thanks again everyone :D

Well, that would be a 400A panel and also HUGE, so I don't think that would be any benefit.

If you get two 200A breaker enclosures they are pretty small actually.

These guys have what you want/need in their general catalog.

Midwest Electric Products, Inc. (http://www.midwestelectric.com/catalog/index.htm)

A meter base with two 200 A disconnects.