[n175h]

I installed my 200 amp service main today and am posting here for critique. I have to call for an inspection and want to make sure all is well.

I had an old mast with 3/0 THWN wire, so I used that from the head to the meter can. I bought 5' of 3/0 wire to make the run from the can to the main breaker. My ground wire is #4 and run in conduit out the bottom of the meter can. AEP only requires one ground rod.

 

[n175h]

One thing that bugs me is I have the bottom of the mast standing off the pole 3/4" and flush against the pole at the top, so it has daylight between it and the pole at the bottom. Any chance of getting gigged on that?

You can't see it very well in the picture, but the POCO transformer is on the pole behind mine in the picture. It's about 10' from my pole. My service mast is about 15' above grade.

 

[TTW]

I don't see a ground wire from the meter base to the disconnect panel, maybe it just doesn't show in the pic. Besides that looks good to me!

 

[n175h]

Neutral is taped white at both ends. Ground it taped green at both ends. Bonding jumper is connected.

 

[k_buz]

Is that a metal or PVC offset nipple?

 

[k_buz]

I don't see a ground wire from the meter base to the disconnect panel, maybe it just doesn't show in the pic. Besides that looks good to me!

You wouldn't need a separate ground.

 

[brric]

That panel needs a hub or sealing washer. Is the lower end of the emt with the ground wire bonded on the lower end?

 

[n175h]

Is that a metal or PVC offset nipple?

Metal Offset.

I needed as much offset available to get the 1/2" EMT to pass behind the panel. I guess I should have used flex, but I had the EMT in my store room, handy, so I grabbed it and used it.

BTW: The wire in the pipe is 3/0 CU. Ground wire is #4

 

[n175h]

That panel needs a hub or sealing washer. Is the lower end of the emt with the ground wire bonded on the lower end?

Darn, missed the sealing washer, but I don't think our local electricians ever use one. I'll drive out to a new subdivision tomorrow and look.

No, the lower end is not bonded. I've never seen that done anywhere in our jurisdiction. The electricians just pass it through the pipe end and clamp the wire to the rod.

 

[n175h]

That panel needs a hub or sealing washer. Is the lower end of the emt with the ground wire bonded on the lower end?

I just remembered. The top of the panel under the offset nipple has a beveled edge upward. Would that suffice for a raintite seal sans the sealing washer? Same configuration on top of the meter can, also.

 

[n175h]

I also hooked up a GFCI circuit

 

[brric]

I just remembered. The top of the panel under the offset nipple has a beveled edge upward. Would that suffice for a raintite seal sans the sealing washer? Same configuration on top of the meter can, also.

Needs a hub.

 

[k_buz]

Also need a bonding bushing in the meter socket.

 

[TTW]

Would these work for you, not sure if they are just for metallic conduit or ok for pvc.

 

[electures]

The metal raceway containing the ground wire needs to be bonded at both ends or change raceway to PVC. Meyers hub on top of the panel. Grounding bushing for offset nipple.

 

[n175h]

That panel needs a hub or sealing washer. Is the lower end of the emt with the ground wire bonded on the lower end?

Ok, easy fix on the #4 ground wire. I'll put in PVC and do away with EMT.

Now the other. AEP won't allow a bonding bushing in their can. I will put it in my panel. However, do I need to put a hub on the bottom of the offset and a ground bushing below the hub inside my panel? If so, it has to be Myers type with the grounding bushing screwed on.

Instead, a sealing washer topped off with a grounding bushing seems to be an easier installation. Does the bonding jumper need to be #4?

I flat out forgot about the sealing washer. Duh but I've never seen our local sparkies use grounding bushings. Maybe the local AHJ likes what he sees in 250.92(B)(2) and calls it a day.

 

[n175h]

Does the bonding jumper need to be #4?

I think I found it. Looks like Table 250.66 says it has to be #4. Am I reading it correctly?

 

[n175h]

Down to the electric supply I went and picked up sealing washers and grounding bushing. I installed the sealing washer/locknut under the hub and the grounding bushing threaded on next. Ran #4 wire to the ground bar.

One concern I have is the rain hub on top of the meter can came with no bushing of any type. Do I need to bush below the hub at the can penetration? You can see there is nothing there in the 1st picture. Everything else I think I covered.

I replaced the emt with non metalic liquid tite flex conduit. PVC would not land in the knockout hole in the meter can and pass behind the main disconnect. No room.

 

[n175h]

I found a plastic knockout bushing that snapped into the bottom of the rain hub at the electric supply house. That should wrap this project up. I believe I'll call the inspector and hopefully I'll pass and get AEP to drop me some power. It takes about 6 weeks to get power out here in south TX because of the oil boom we are experiencing.

 

[n175h]

I passed:thumbsup:

Ordered a service contract and AEP came out and hooked it up in 4 days. Wow! Wasn't expecting that. Now I can start building my shop. I'll continue to post pictures if anyone is interested. Got to start burying pipe pretty soon.