[AlanTA]

I'm hooking up electrical service to my new building, and have a question. First it is 200A service. The electric company said I have to install the meter box, conduit to the pole and service panel myself. Have it inspected, then they will come pull the power. I went to a electrical wholesaler and got the supplies. I am going to have my service panel 30' away from the meter box, so they said to be code I have to use 4 wire. My question is, I have done 4 whole house remodels and wired them all, but have never had to do anything with 4 wire.. How do you wire it? both the meter box and service panel are 3 wire, and the guy at the wholesaler said it was the right stuff... Is the 4th wire a second ground?

 

[rick1956]

Betcha you'll find your answer here...this is the best electrical site I've EVER seen. I've learned an awful lot from this place.

http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/homewiringusa/2002/accessory/index.htm

Good luck...and do what I do..."Honey, come here and touch this for a second..."

 

[julmer]

If you do not have your main panel "close" to the meter (close can vary somewhat with the inspector but 6 feet is an often used number) you will need a disconnect at the meter which will become the "main" disconnect. From that point, you will need to run 4 wire (separate neutral and ground) to your distribution panel. Because of the distance, you breaker box becomes a "sub panel" Sub panels can not have the neutral and ground tied together in any way (no bonding screw on the busses). They have to be separate all the way back to the main panel. National Electrical Code is pretty specific but a lot of people get confused and are suprised when they flunk the inspection.

 

[AlanTA]

I thought he said it has to be "at least" 6' from the meter box.. I'll call him again, I may have just misunderstood him and he meant it need to be closer that 6'? Also it is only about 6' (next post over) but I was going to run the wire up above the ceiling and the over and down the next post, hence being over 20' of actual wire... wasn't sure if it was 6' of wire or physically 6' away.

 

[julmer]

They will likely require that the service entrance cable be run in the most direct route inside the building. Try and go over the details with your inspector. It is usually easier to just give them exactly what they want even if it seems unusual or difficult. Remember, they are the ones that have to sign off on you green sticker.

 

[AlanTA]

I called the inspector and he said what it is, is the GROUND rods have to be 6' apart... The meter box and service pannel can be as close as I want, just not over 10' apart. So I'm putting them within 2 feet of eachother and just using 3 wire. This is going to be a sinch now I'm all done except the ground rods. I'm going to try to get them in tomorrow... I'll be powered up by the end of the week if all goes well. Thanks for everyones input.

 

[julmer]

Yeah, if the meter and the panel are close, no problem. It sounds like your jurisdiction allows up to 10 feet. That number does vary. For a separate building you need two driven ground rods at least 6 feet apart and they usually want just 1 piece of wire connecting them to the panel. Sounds like you are on the right track.

 

[Huskinhano]

If you do not have your main panel "close" to the meter (close can vary somewhat with the inspector but 6 feet is an often used number) you will need a disconnect at the meter which will become the "main" disconnect. From that point, you will need to run 4 wire (separate neutral and ground) to your distribution panel. Because of the distance, you breaker box becomes a "sub panel" Sub panels can not have the neutral and ground tied together in any way (no bonding screw on the busses). They have to be separate all the way back to the main panel. National Electrical Code is pretty specific but a lot of people get confused and are suprised when they flunk the inspection.

Ah, you must be an electrician too! Yeah, what julmer said is right.The distance between the meter and panel is a grey area as to the distance. There is no specific distance in the NEC book. Technically, you could go 100' or more but I doubt you'd ever find an inspector who would let that fly. Most inspectors want to see the shortest distance as possible, meaning disconnecting means as soon as possible because this wiring is unfused.

In NJ, the inspectors want to see 2 ground rods. If impeadence is more then 25 OHMs, (250:56) you must have 2 rods. Unless you can prove to the inspectors you have LESS then 25 OHMs, 2 rods it is. It's cheaper to buy a $10 rod then the test equipment.