[PuffAndSmoke]

I am upgrading a 200 amp service to a 320 amp meter and adding a 2nd 200 amp panel.

Most of the wiring diagrams I have seen recommend installing 2 200 amp breakers off the meter panel and sending them to the 2 200 amp main lug breaker panels. Wouldn't this configuration allow up to a 400 amp continuous draw on the 320 amp meter and supply lines without protection?

I was thinking of installing a single 320 amp breaker at the meter panel and then splitting the lines on the load side of the breaker. I would then convert the main lug panels to main breaker so those 200 amp breakers can protect the individual feed lines and panels. This would also give a single disconnect rated to the true max load.

Is this a better approach or am I missing some code requirement somewhere?

[tkrussell]

This,

Most of the wiring diagrams I have seen recommend installing 2 200 amp breakers off the meter panel and sending them to the 2 200 amp main lug breaker panels.

Is exactly how this is done.

You can purchase a 320 amp meter socket with two 200 amp breakers all built into one cabinet, specifically for this purpose.

Your suppose to have done the service rating calculations to tell you that a 400 amp service is needed. The service cannot be loaded more than 80%.

80% of 400 is 320.