Meter pack install and service upgrade

[jasowiii]

I have a few questions on a service upgrade project.
I am working on a ~100 yr old tri-plex in washington state.
The existing panels (3) have "edison" type screw in fuses. Two of the panels are co-located and the third remote panel and meter are at the other end of the building.

I plan to install a 4 meter pack and basically blank one meter off for possible future use as a common area electrical option. I will then install two 125 amp outdoor panels next (2'-4') to the meter pack and the remote 125 amp panel as a "sub".

I'll start with the big questions and thanks in advance for any advice I get.

1. The meter packs ( example SQUARE D MPH44125) have main breakers. Can I use "main lug" panels and forgo the main breaker? Same for the remote panel or does the distance (~100') change the equation.
2. Can I use the existing panel enclosures as junction boxes and simply extend each circuit over to the panels?

Regards,
Jim

 

[pc1966]

Do you have any photos of the current set up? It helps a lot to understand what you are looking at.

This is probably one for @Megawatt to consider, as most of us are UK-based on the forum, though many still curious about other country's systems as well.

 

[jasowiii]

Do you have any photos of the current set up? It helps a lot to understand what you are looking at.

This is probably one for @Megawatt to consider, as most of us are UK-based on the forum, though many still curious about other country's systems as well.

Thank for the heads up. I wasn't aware of that.

 

[pc1966]

You will see a lot of countries featured here, but strong bias to English speaking and UK-based due to the forum's origins.

While electricity is the same everywhere, the approved means to control and protect it varies a lot!

Having said that, there are a couple of threads showing examples of rubbish work encountered by professionals to point and laugh at, showing the national rules are not always followed (or even known about).

 

[nicebutdim]

While waiting for one of our US members, please feel free to post images of the existing installation - I'm intrigued!

 

[jasowiii]

The disconnect on the right is for the remote panel/meter.

 

[Megawatt]

I have a few questions on a service upgrade project.
I am working on a ~100 yr old tri-plex in washington state.
The existing panels (3) have "edison" type screw in fuses. Two of the panels are co-located and the third remote panel and meter are at the other end of the building.

I plan to install a 4 meter pack and basically blank one meter off for possible future use as a common area electrical option. I will then install two 125 amp outdoor panels next (2'-4') to the meter pack and the remote 125 amp panel as a "sub".

I'll start with the big questions and thanks in advance for any advice I get.

1. The meter packs ( example SQUARE D MPH44125) have main breakers. Can I use "main lug" panels and forgo the main breaker? Same for the remote panel or does the distance (~100') change the equation.
2. Can I use the existing panel enclosures as junction boxes and simply extend each circuit over to the panels?

Regards,
Jim

The first question is yes, as long as you have panels with main breakers you will be fine. The mains outside are really for the fire department so if there is a fire they can disconnect all power feeding the triplex. The second question is yes I would need highly recommend that you take out all components and make them a junction box. Just remember that you have to ground the junction box with the largest ground that you are splicing. Any sub panels being fed from the main panels you have to isolate the grounds from the neutrals. You are not allowed to work on Edison base fuse panels anymore. I just changed out a service last weekend and had to gut the old Edison panel and make splices. Good luck with your project.

 

[Megawatt]

The disconnect on the right is for the remote panel/meter.

That is ugly and let’s hope that you can make it more appealing to the eyes. Again good luck.

 

[Megawatt]

The disconnect on the right is for the remote panel/meter.

Check your clearance Fromm the weather head, you need a minimum of 10 feet to the bottom of the drip loops to the ground. The drip loop is where the power company makes their connections

 

[jasowiii]

Check your clearance Fromm the weather head, you need a minimum of 10 feet to the bottom of the drip loops to the ground. The drip loop is where the power company makes their connections

POCO said I would need a new weatherhead. I plan to put the meterpack to the right and weatherhead directly up out of the pack. Not sure how pretty all this will be ...

 

[jasowiii]

Megawatt,
Just a little clarification please. Maybe I am using the wrong terms.

The first question is yes, as long as you have panels with main breakers you will be fine.

The main lug "panel" would have no main breaker. The "main" breaker would be located on the meter pack enclosure. The output of each main breaker would exit the meter pack through a short conduit to an outdoor main lug panel. Except for the remote panel 100' away at the other end of the building.
Is this allowed?

Is there not a limit to the distance that circuit breakers can be located from the main breaker? It seams like the remote panel would need a main breaker close to the circuit breakers.

Note: The exterior wall to the right of what is in the image should have enough room for the meter pack and the outdoor service panels. The inside of the wall is a stairway making indoor service panels a no-no.

 

[Megawatt]

Megawatt,
Just a little clarification please. Maybe I am using the wrong terms.

The main lug "panel" would have no main breaker. The "main" breaker would be located on the meter pack enclosure. The output of each main breaker would exit the meter pack through a short conduit to an outdoor main lug panel. Except for the remote panel 100' away at the other end of the building.
Is this allowed?

Is there not a limit to the distance that circuit breakers can be located from the main breaker? It seams like the remote panel would need a main breaker close to the circuit breakers.

Note: The exterior wall to the right of what is in the image should have enough room for the meter pack and the outdoor service panels. The inside of the wall is a stairway making indoor service panels a no-no.

All panels located outside has to have main breakers or if you are feeding a main lug only panel, once you turn off the main breakers it will also turn off all panels and equipment. No there is no exception on distance of your sub panel. I was under the impression that the sub panel would be indoors and not outdoors. As long as the panels located at the meters have main breakers that will kill all power then you don’t have a problem.