Oversized main disconnects

This is the third brand new home in the last 2 weeks that had an oversized main disconnect.
(200 amp with 2/0 aluminum)

Is this somehow allowed?



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I can’t see how.

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First two I thought was just a coincidence, but now a 3rd one has me guessing. (and not same builder/electrician)

I think what you have there is a 400 amp service. Perfectly legit.

No, it’s two separate service panels, each fed with 200 amp disconnects, with 2/0 aluminum.

Here is another one from a couple days ago. Same thing

The correct size for a 200 amp service would be 4/0 aluminum.

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I agree #4/0 Al minimum and the solid copper EGC’s cannot be installed in a raceway. Also that looks like URD cable which depending on the listing it cannot be run inside of a building.

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It’s two separate sub-panels.

The conductors are undersized, but the first pictures are definitely a 400 amp meter panel, not an oversized 200 amp.

IMG_6254

Is there OCP at the panels inside

Just to pile on. That’s loose, racked and missing the hold down fastener.

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No main CB’s in the photo of the two panels.

Yes, hence my question. I have been seeing so many of them lately, all brand new homes… :man_shrugging:

Potatoe, Patatoe… same thing, depending on how many amps the home was supposed to have

Interesting, I know I see the solid EGC occasionally too. Does this apply when it is backed up right against the distribution panel? (same with the URD)?

How do these pass a final inspection? That’s like the easiest violation to spot. Either the inspector didn’t look too hard or they’re incompetent.

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:man_shrugging:
Some builders dont like the dead fronts to be removed, but I dont care. Better to ask forgiveness than permission…

A couple months ago I also found a missing bonding screw on a service panel…

Actually, since I have you, there are a couple counties around me where I never see emergency disconnects at the exterior on brand new homes.

I thought that was required since 2020?

A few months ago, I saw a new home without the exterior disconnect and it turns out that that unincorporated part of the county has not adopted that NEC requirement yet.

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Thats what I figured, so I havent called any of them out. I figured the county inspector would call out something so obvious, but like Robert said, maybe they are just incompetent :grinning:

That’s interesting.
In Minnesota, Electrical is State mandated with State Inspectors. Yes, the larger cities have their own inspectors, but they must operate under State guidelines for Electrical, Private Water/Wells, and Private Sewage/Septic. There are many counties that have no other building Codes as they don’t have Building Dept’s to handle it, thus the State controlling the big 3! Thus is life in rural America.

Yes it’s a 2020 NEC requirement but it’s contingent upon what the adopted code is at the time of installation or permit issuance.

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