Replying on list, I had mistakenly only replied to Jeff off list. -August On Wed, Oct 23, 2019 at 6:26 AM August Goers <aug...@luminalt.com> wrote:
> Hi Jeff - I think technically you can try a supply side connection per NEC > 705.12(A) if you can find equipment with provisions to both feed your > existing service and then the solar. Sometimes a splice box is required. > > Without knowing the configuration of the existing equipment, it's hard to > understand if that will be easier overall compared to just going the route > where you supply a 200 A rated meter socket (maybe you already have this?) > and 200 A main breaker panel (with no loads) and then a 400 A bused panel > to connect both your loads and the PV system. > > August > > > > > On Mon, Oct 21, 2019 at 11:52 AM Jeff Clearwater < > je...@villagepowerdesign.com> wrote: > >> 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 < >> je...@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 >>> cell - 413-559-9763 >>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >>> _______________________________________________ >>> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >>> >>> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org >>> >>> Change listserver email address & settings: >>> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >>> >>> List-Archive: >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html >>> >>> List rules & etiquette: >>> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >>> >>> Check out or update participant bios: >>> www.members.re-wrenches.org >>> >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Redwood Alliance >> >> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org >> >> Change listserver email address & settings: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List-Archive: >> http://www.mail-archive.com/re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org/maillist.html >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> >> Check out or update participant bios: >> www.members.re-wrenches.org >> >>
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