Ask Me Help Desk - Elctrical upgrade.

Hi,

I hope someone can give me some advice here.

I current have a overhead meter base and 150 amp service in my house.

I want to upgrade to an underground meter base hook up with 200 amp service outside panel. From there I would go to the 150 amp panel in my house and also add a 50 amp breaker to the 200 amp outside panel for a small garage.

The problem is I can't find an outside 200 amp panel that has a 150 amp breaker I can get to put in the box to feed my house with. I found one for Square D but it cost about 280.00 just for the 150 amp breaker. That seems a bit much for what I am wanting to do.

So could I come off the meter base with TWO load lines. That is one line for the house (going to the 150 amp panel on the inside) and then another line to feed a NEW 100 amp breaker box that I could use to feed the garage with? IF so do they make a dual load meter base or do you have to add some type of dual load attachments?

If not got any ideas.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Leon

Correct, you will not find a 200 amp panel that can have a 150 amp branch circuit breaker.

All I can think of is change the 150 amp panel in the home to a new 200 amp, and install a 2 pole 50 amp breaker in that to feed the garage.

Doing what you propose at the meter may be possible, the lugs would need to rated for two conductors for each leg. Then there would need to be two breaker or fuse disconnects, one 150 amp rated and another at 50.

There are 200 amp meters that contain two distribution breakers, but what I find is limited to 125 amp.

I think my solution is the simplest, but that is for you to judge.

Before purchasing any meter trim, you should consult with your power utility as each utility has their own requirements and allowed list of meter trims or equipment.

And consultwith both the utility and the local inspector to confirm what your plan is, esp if you want to split the meter into two feeders.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkrussell

Correct, you will not find a 200 amp panel that can have a 150 amp branch circuit breaker.

All I can think of is change the 150 amp panel in the home to a new 200 amp, and install a 2 pole 50 amp breaker in that to feed the garage.

Doing what you propose at the meter may be possible, the lugs would need to rated for two conductors for each leg. Then there would need to be two breaker or fuse disconnects, one 150 amp rated and another at 50.

There are 200 amp meters that contain two distribution breakers, but what I find is limited to 125 amp.

I think my solution is the simplest, but that is for you to judge.

Before purchasing any meter trim, you should consult with your power utility as each utility has their own requirements and allowed list of meter trims or equipment.

And consultwith both the utility and the local inspector to confirm what your plan is, esp if you want to split the meter into two feeders.

Hi tkrussell,

Thanks for your reply and advice.

As you suggested I have consulted with the power company and they said that I would not be allowed to put two double lugs in the 200 amp meter base.

But he said I could install a 320 amp meter base and then from it run two the House (150 amp service) and then to the proposed new breaker panel for the garage (100 amp service).

Does this sound like a right way to go?

Check Midwest Electric Products, Inc. . I think they have what you need. Check with the power company whether their base is allowed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeepItSimpleStupid

Check Midwest Electric Products, Inc. . I think they have what you need. Check with the power company whether their base is allowed.

Thanks again, I will check out that site for the meter base.