2-200 Amp Panels

HWCostruction

Thanks for all the replies. No I haven't done a load calc yet. I know I may have to size up on the SEC, but I didn't know if I could run 2 panels off the same service or if I had to have 2 separate 200 amp services installed.

mrmike

Speedy Petey, I am in NY state too. Haven't done that many Services, but Was required to have two grounding rods 6' apart and A continous loop of #4 awg wire from the panel to the ground rods & to the water main & back to the panel. Mike

Magnettica

They made you run #4 copper to your ground rods?

mrmike

Yes , I called the Electrical inspector & that is what he told me. I did not check into it with National Grid's guidelines or NEC. As I stated I havent really did many in the last few years as I retired from being a Industrial Electrician, and just got into Residental although I did a few on the side here & there... but things change. Was it just this particular Inspector & would like more input on it ? Of course the Customers paid for the #4 awg.

Magnettica

The ground wire to the ground rod need not be larger than #6 cu. 250.53 (E)

(E) Supplemental Electrode Bonding Connection Size.
Where the supplemental electrode is a rod, pipe, or plate elec-
trode, that portion of the bonding jumper that is the sole con-
nection to the supplemental grounding electrode shall not be
required to be larger than 6 AWG copper wire or 4 AWG
aluminum wire.

And since you have an underground metal water pipe the ground rods become your supplemental electrodes. No big deal other than maybe having a difficult time getting the #4 under ground rod clamp. You still needed to run #4 cu to the water main pipe though.

Speedy Petey

The reason for the #4 was because you made it continuous to the water pipe.
You could have run one #4 to the water main, and a separate #6 to the ground rod(s).

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mike01

The only problem I see is the fact if you have two panels in a single residence they would have to be within the same vicinity, as the mains would have to be grouped togerther, or this could be an NEC violation, you would not be able to run an additional service thru your home to another location in the house because your mains would not be grouped.

Speedy Petey

Mike, wouldn't a main disconnect located with the other service equipment solve this issue?

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JohnJ0906

I've just recently heard of NY inspectors requiring a "ground loop" with the GEC having to return to the panel.

What's the deal with that?

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John from Baltimore
"One Day at a Time"
All replies based on the 2008 NEC

Speedy Petey

Not so John. At least not in my experience.

We use 3rd part inspectors. Try getting any two or more to give you the same answer on anything.

I had newer guy tell me that ALL kitchen receptacles required GFI protection. When I called him on it he said that is what his bosses told him.

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JohnJ0906

It's just that some posted over at Mike Holt about the same "requirement". Didn't know if it was an actual amendment, or an " inspector rule".

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John from Baltimore
"One Day at a Time"
All replies based on the 2008 NEC

Speedy Petey

More than likely.

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