[RE-wrenches] Class 320 meter main combos, new requirements

Thu Mar 27 19:11:34 PDT 2025

August:

Thank you so much.  I can always count on you for valuable information.

I heard back from my local CED who is my go-to for metering equipment.
SquareD has a retrofit as a work-around for the problem.  It has to do with
handle-tying the two main breakers so they are both de-energized
simultaneously.  It seem a bit clunky.  You may not want to de-energize
both breakers at the same time.

Here is a link
<https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/k2spi0jnltm9vpkvb1om1/400A-CSED-NEC2020-Enhancement-Updated.pdf?rlkey=455lbbk9hu4n7eyqslvpqoqhx&dl=0>
to a pdf of the power point describing the hardware.

I will probably go with a Millbank
<https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/0ho1cwy71tcjapbwb5oxs/6089-3.pdf?rlkey=nym0kolc88pasu0gnwgha4ven&dl=0>
product which is built to comply (unlike myself).

William

Miller Solar

17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422

805-438-5600

www.millersolar.com

CA Lic. 773985

*From:* August Goers [mailto:august at luminalt.com]
*Sent:* Thursday, March 27, 2025 5:09 PM
*To:* william at millersolar.com; RE-wrenches
*Subject:* Re: [RE-wrenches] Class 320 meter main combos, new requirements

Hi William,

Yes, we have run into this for the past couple of years since the 2020 NEC
went into effect 1/1/2023 in CA. At first we thought it was PG&E that had
the requirement, but then found out it was the NEC and I believe PG&E will
enforce it as well. There was misinformation from electricians who thought
that the old "California 4" type panel with two 200 A main breakers was no
longer allowed by PG&E. In fact, they are still allowed, but just need to
have the 2020 NEC-compliant separate disconnect partitions.

This is the Siemens brochure with more information:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/dcc-data-extract/new-delta/asset/Compas/daily/Compas/Marketing%20Flyer/SIE_FL_230-71_MeterMain.pdf?100822

Best,

August

On Thu, Mar 27, 2025 at 4:22 PM William Miller via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:

Friends:

I have ordered a Class 320 Meter/Main/Combo.  My vendor informs me there
are new codes that apply to these cans, specifically in 230.71(B), cited
below:

*(B) Two to Six Service Disconnecting Means. *Two to six service

disconnects shall be permitted for each service permitted by

230.2 or for each set of service-entrance conductors permitted

by 230.40, Exception No. 1, 3, 4, or 5. The two to six service

disconnecting means shall he permitted to consist of a combination

of any of the following:

(1) Separate enclosures with a main service disconnecting

means in each enclosure

(2) Panelboards with a main service disconnecting means in

each panelboard enclosure

(3) Switchboard(s) where there is only one service disconnect

in each separate vertical section where there are

barriers separating each vertical section

(4) Service disconnects in switchgear or metering centers

where each disconnect is located in a separate compartment

Here is an analysis, apparently from Siemens:

Apparently there are factory partitions required now and some models have
them and some do not.  Of course the one I specified, advocated for and
that is cheaper does not have the partition.  I don’t want to order the
wrong one so I am looking for verification I am understanding this
correctly.

Have any of you run up against this when ordering these devices or having
them approved?

Thanks in advance for any input!

William Miller

Miller Solar

17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422

805-438-5600

www.millersolar.com

CA Lic. 773985

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