[RE-wrenches] Best way to Supply Side connect from a 200 Amp Service Entrance?
Jeff Clearwater
jeffc at villagepowerdesign.com
Tue Oct 22 17:24:03 EDT 2019
Esteemed Wrenches,
So from my previous post and research - I think I'm down to the simple
question of what is the best way to do a supply side connection in PG&E
territory for a 200 AMP PV feed into a 200 Amp Service.
PG&E won't allow PV circuit wiring to enter their sealed sections.
So how about a simple J-Box like this after a standard 200 Amp Meter
Socket box?
https://www.ideadigitalcontent.com/files/11028/784572230569_SS.pdf
Then it simply branches to a fusible 200 AMP disconnect for the PV side
and the other to a standard 200 Amp panel box for the house loads.
I'm feeding 5 SB7.7s so 160 Amps of rated PV x 1.25 = 200 Amps. right
at the limit but fully in code and PG&E compliance from what I can tell.
Anything I'm not thinking of? Easier way to do that "T" connection?
Existing equipment for 2 200 Amp Breakers off of a single 200 Amp service?
Thanks!
Jeff
Jeff Clearwater wrote on 10/21/19 11:51 AM:
> Hey August, Jay, and Burt and all,
>
> Thanks for the great input! and I'm sorry if I wasn't clearer.
>
> They are not asking for 400 Amps - I suggested it as that was the
> rating of the solar ready panel I specified.
>
> They are just saying IF it's 400 Amps then they need room for CTs
> cause it's a shop and hence residential equipment is not approved.
>
> So as August and Glenn indicate below - perhaps the easiest is a 200
> AMP meter can with a Supply side line. That does throw it back to my
> AJH to approve but that is pretty standardI would hope. It also
> requires the variance letter from PG&E.
>
> I'm running 5 SB7.7s at 32 Amps each - so 160 AMPS of solar input.
>
> So If I supply a 200 A meter can with supply side lugs that I can feed
> into a 200 A fused disconnect and solar distribution panel and keep
> the existing 200 Amp panel box fed by the 200 Amp main breaker - any
> reason that won't work?
>
> OR does anyone know of a commercial 400 AMP solar ready meter base
> with 2 200 Amp feeds - one for solar and one for loads that does allow
> room for CTs?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jeff
>
> August Goers wrote on 10/17/19 4:35 PM:
>
>> Hi Jeff -
>>
>> PG&E defines the service rating amperage based on the enclosure
>> rating of the first piece of equipment the service hits. See section
>> 1.14 in the Greenbook:
>>
>> https://www.pge.com/includes/docs/pdfs/mybusiness/customerservice/startstop/newconstruction/greenbook/servicerequirements/greenbook_manual_full.pdf
>>
>>
>> This might be why they insist that you need a 400 A service just
>> because you want a 400 A rated bus. The easy way around it is to
>> supply a 200 A rated meter socket and main disconnect, then feed a
>> 400 A sub panel.
>>
>> A meter/main like the Eaton MBEB200BTS might also work for you:
>> https://www.homedepot.com/p/Eaton-200-Amp-BR-Type-Main-Breaker-Meter-Breaker-without-Distribution-EUSERC-MBEB200BTS/100555147
>>
>>
>> August
>> Luminalt
>>
>>
>> Hi Jeff,
>>
>> Seems to me if allowed in your jurisdiction, you might be best served
>> by installing a new 200A fused service disconnect ahead of the
>> existing main service panel. Or even a 400A one to allow for
>> additional work inside (CT’s), then perform a supply side connection
>> in it. Some manufacturers of switchgear have an option for lugs that
>> accept multiple conductors, so no piercing of conductors needs to happen.
>>
>> Good luck,
>>
>> Glenn
>> On Thu, Oct 17, 2019 at 12:19 PM Jeff Clearwater
>> <jeffc at villagepowerdesign.com <mailto:jeffc at villagepowerdesign.com>>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Esteemed Wrenches,
>>
>> I am in need of changing out an existing 200 Amp service entrance
>> in order to accommodate a bus capable of handling a a 200 Amp
>> Solar backfeed (41 KW system) .
>>
>> PG&E is upgrading the transformer to handle the backfeed but when
>> I proposed a Siemens SolarReady 400 Amp service entrance they
>> couldn't approve it cause since the building is a shop - they
>> classify it as commercial and require a panel that can handle CTs
>> when there is a 400 Amp service involved.
>>
>> Anyone else faced with this have solutions? What is the cheapest
>> equipment I can provide to satisfy all requirements?
>>
>> We don't need to upgrade the existing 200 amp service entrance
>> equipment for load purposes - only to meet the bus requirements
>> of backfeed.
>>
>> Would it be cheaper and easier to use the existing (or new) 200
>> Amp residential panel - not call it a 400 Amp upgrade but simply
>> add a 200 Amp Supply Side Connection? Suggested equipment to do
>> that in the most economical manner?
>>
>> Any help well appreciated!
>>
>> Jeff
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> ~~~~~~~~~~~
>> Jeff Clearwater
>> Village Power Design
>> linkedin <https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-clearwater-0622a312/>
>> www.villagepowerdesign.com <http://www.villagepowerdesign.com>
>> cell - 413-559-9763
>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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