dSilanskas

Okay so I'm getting different answers from everyone around here and perhaps someone can help me out. I am wiring a house and the service called for and underground service. So I pulled all my feeds to a certain location in the basement. Yeah well turns out that they want to change it to a over head So the location of my panel has moved to the corner of the basement So I either have to J box my feeds that wont reach and extend them like ten feet down the same wall. Or if I leave them where they are and install the panel in my first locaton I was wondering do I need a meter main?

kbsparky

Those meter mains are the way to go. You can put your inside panel just about anywhere, and have additional spaces in the outside panel for things like your HVAC unit, pump house, garage, shed, etc. Here is a pic of a typical Square D unit:

dSilanskas

I agree but they are trying to keep this wicked cheap and to be honest I have had enough of these people already!

Roger123

Ten feet would be a call for the inspector because 230.70(A)(1) states nearest the point of entrance.

I would just install a fused disconnect if cost is a concern after the meter if the inspector thinks ten feet is to long.

AWKrueger

Whats their reasoning for the change?

Mountain Electrician

Put in the meter/breaker combo unit. Milbank makes a 200A for a little over 300 bucks, and by the time they pay you to splice and re-rout all your home runs, the extra wire and meter should not be much more.

Around here, the POCO wouldn't let 10 feet slide. If you cant put the panel right behind or below the meter, you need an outside disco.

kbsparky

I can get the Square D unit for less than half that!!

leland

I 2nd this.

Mountain Electrician

180 bucks here for an overhead only, but 339 for the underground SQD.

kbsparky

The Square D unit is rated for both overhead and underground feeders. Same price, except you will need a type "A" hub for connection to the top of the enclosure on overhead installations.

Mountain Electrician

The unit my supplier quoted me at 339 was the combination overhead/underground unit. The one for 180 bucks was overhead only.

kbsparky

ASK him to quote you on a Square D RC816F200CH (the one in the picture, earlier in this thread). Just so we are talking on the same page.

Mountain Electrician

I did a little research, and it's as I figured. Our POCO's standards won't allow the RC816F200CH to be installed for an underground feed even though it'd listed as such. They will only accept the RC816D200C for overhead or underground use. For underground, I like the Milbank U5757-0-200 meter/main better, its much more rugged and a little bit cheaper as long as you don't need more than just a main breaker.

My price for the RC816F200CH is 180 bucks, while it's higher than you were talking about, it's not more than double. We're remote up here...an hour to the nearest Walmart, 1.5 hours to a Home Depot and my supplier delivers 5 days a week to my shop so I'm used to paying a premium, but more than 2X would be ridiculous!

220/221

They aren't doing a very good job

kawaikfx400

we actually just did a meter main, 100amp to a 200amp upgrade, with a 12 foot crawlspace to the panel from the meter. My boss says anything beyond 6ft. needs a means of disconnect at the meter.

randomkiller

So just because they want it "wicked cheap", you turn around and drop your drawers? I don't think so.

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leland

"Wicked cheap".. Give them a "Wicked Pissa" price !!!

Double up. You don't need the practice or the bull bleep!!!
You need and deserve the money for a job done right !!!!!!!!

Listen up all out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

turbostroke

x2 I'm sick of getting beat up in price by the guy from craigs list working for 30 bucks an hour and then people thinking im a price gouger. As soon as i hear craigs list i want to and even sometimes vomit.