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#95958 10/26/05 08:39 PM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9
G
Gee Offline OP
Junior Member
hey guys great site,I might stick around.

but I have an urgent question for now.

I have a 208v, 3 phase, service lateral
(pad mount xformer secondary) feeding a 1600 Main breaker switch board.
In the past the utility company has run the secondarys, now they are requiring the customer to provide them.
The local utility had always undersized them IMO. Now that we must provide them, am I right in assuming that we must size these greater than the service main, in this case 4 sets of 500 MCM cu. ?

The project engineer tells me to run 4 sets of 350 MCM, however it is my opinion that this does not meet the NEC and 500 MCM conductors are required.

I hope I was clear with my question. and thanks in advance..

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#95959 10/26/05 10:22 PM
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 599
J
JBD Offline
Member
Even 4 sets of 500kcmil is not adequate. 500kcmil is only rated for 380A at 75C (the rating of the terminations in the service gear). Above 800A you are not permitted to round up.

#95960 10/26/05 11:23 PM
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 182
B
Bob Offline
Member
JBD is right again. 4 sets of 500 kcm is good for 1520 amps. You will need 4 sets of 600 kcm at 420 amps for a total of 1680 amps as per 240.4C.

#95961 10/27/05 06:04 AM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 650
W
Member
Is there any chance that these are still _specificed_ by the POCO using their sizing rules, even though they are to be installed by the customer's electrician?

-Jon

#95962 10/27/05 09:55 AM
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9
G
Gee Offline OP
Junior Member
Correct you are about 600 MCM. I'm not doing my own math here.
The laterals were not specified by the power co. The project engineer specified the laterals on plans. Later admitting that they resized the MDP during the design and forgot the increase the service laterals.
The engineers later asked for change order pricing to increase to 4 sets #500MCM. ( thats where I got the #500). Now the owner has said he will not approve any additional funds. So the engineer has stated my change order request will not be approved. I am concerned about my liabilty in this issue due to not meeting the NEC. This project has turned very bad due to some other issues with design oh which I am taking a beating due to the engineer's faults. I really do not want to butt heads with the engineer and harm a relationship for future projects, But I do not think I have a choice. Anyone else have any ideas ?

#95963 10/27/05 10:43 AM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,716
R
Member
Gee,
Quote
the project engineer specified the laterals on plans. Later admitting that they resized the MDP during the design and forgot the increase the service laterals.
The engineers later asked for change order pricing to increase to 4 sets #500MCM. thats where I got the #500).
the engineer admits his mistake here and does the right thing by asking you to submit a change order.

Quote
Now the owner has said he will not approve any additional funds. So the engineer has stated my change order request will not be approved.
So now he is in effect saying, "my mistake will come out of your pocket, not mine".

The engineer has Errors and Omissions insurance that would cover his mistake if he can not come to an agreement with the owner.

Whatever happens you should not entertain the thought of making the correction at your expense even if this strains your relationship with this engineer.

Roger

#95964 10/27/05 12:05 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,148
R
Member
What is the actual calculated load? If it is 1400 amps or less, install a second service disconnect and the 4 sets of 350.
Don


Don(resqcapt19)
#95965 10/27/05 04:22 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
I
Moderator
Don has a great idea here. [Linked Image]

You could go with two 800 amp service disconnects eliminating the need for GFP and allowing the use of the 350s or 500s depending on the calculated load.


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
#95966 10/27/05 04:35 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,507
G
Member
Watch out for 240.21(C)(4). This would have you terminating in a single overcurrent device.


George Little
#95967 10/27/05 04:54 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
I
Moderator
240.21(C)(4) does not apply to service conductors.

Check out 240.21(D)

Bob


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
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