Hi TK. I am running 400 amp service into my new contruction home. The electric compnay is running a single 400 amp line to the meter. I have to split it to the two panels at that point. You had told me once before that I need a 320 amp meter socket and then run 2-200 amp lines to the separate panels inside. My questions are: 1.) where can I find a 320 amp socket?? (my elec co does not provide meter sockets) I have looked everywhere and can only find up to 200 amp. 2.) how do I split it at that point? Can I just insert both 200 amp wires into the socket or is there a certain meter box that has receptacles for two separate wires coming out? 3.) What size wire should I use for the 400 amp main and what size for the two 200 amp? Thanks!

Jim:confused:

Your utility may not supply the meter socket, as most don't, but most utilities list the make and model numbers of the meter sockets they approve and allow.

The local electrical supply distributor is probably the only place you will find a 320 amp socket, home centers would not,since this is a bit above the level of your average DIY'er. And the local distributor will only carry the sockets approved by the local utility, but check with the utilities requirements first.

Most utilities have their service requirements available at their website, but some may be hard to find or recognize, let me know the utility and I can look for it.

I included a picture of a 320 amp socket from Milbank (http://www.milbankmfg.com/), a very popular manufacturer. Note in their catalog, the different sections of the country each has a different group of meters. The 320 amp socket does not come with any load lugs, they offer various load lugs, you would need each leg to have a double lug for two 200 amp wires.

The 400 amp main can be either, for each leg 1- #600 XHHW aluminum, or each leg can be 2-#4/0 XHHW Al, or 1-#400 MCM THWN copper or 2-#2/0 THWN copper.

Each leg to a 200 amp panel can be either 1-#2/0 Cu or 1-#4/0 Al.

Hi TK, thanks for the reply. My electric company is Ohio Edison and I will be building in Vermilion, OH. When I talk to them, even they have no real idea of what type of meter I should use exactly. Thanks!

Jim

Minimum meter requirements for your utility begins on page 16, and the 320 amp is found on page 17, of the following:

https://www.firstenergycorp.com/Builders_and_Contractors/files/Form_115.1rev_2006.pdf


May be a good idea to review the entire booklet to see what may apply for installing a service.

Hi TK. I am running 400 amp service into my new contruction home. The electric compnay is running a single 400 amp line to the meter. I have to split it to the two panels at that point. You had told me once before that I need a 320 amp meter socket and then run 2-200 amp lines to the separate panels inside. My questions are: 1.) where can I find a 320 amp socket?? (my elec co does not provide meter sockets) I have looked everywhere and can only find up to 200 amp. 2.) how do I split it at that point? Can I just insert both 200 amp wires into the socket or is there a certain meter box that has receptacles for two separate wires coming out? 3.) What size wire should I use for the 400 amp main and what size for the two 200 amp? Thanks!

Jim:confused:
You will need to go to an Electrical Distributor in your area to get a 320A meter socket. These are actually rated for 400 Amp continuous service. The one thing you will want to know is that the lugs on this socket will not accept any larger wire than 500XHHW aluminum.

Maybe you should hire a professional, sounds like you might not be able to handle this type of installation

This question began in March 2007.

I am sure the project is complete by now, so any additional advice is a bit late.

Please refrain from answering questions older than one month.

This question is closed.