VA 2015 code Question with bonding and grounding for service upgrade

Madmat276 said:

Hello, I am working in the state of VA and they use the 2015 State of VA code. I am upgrading to a 400 amp service the meter base supports two panels dual lugs in it. One panel will be a 200 breaker "MAIN" and other will be future use. I know how to wire most of it but really unsure how I would need to bond and ground two panels does anyone on here know VA code or would be able to help if I upload a drawing kinda have a few questions I've done a lot of electrical work just this would be my 1st time with two panels fed from the meter base

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Megawatt said:

Madmatt my advice would be to install two 200 amp double pole breakers in your 400 amp panel. The bonding question is each panel would need 2 ground rods spaced 6 feet apart. Now you will need to install one #6 bare wire from the.neutral bar in each 200 amp panel to the first ground rod unbroken. Then run another #6 bare wire to the other ground rod. Both panels have to be independent of each other. Good luck with your project and I’m assuming that you drew a permit

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Madmat276 said:

Here is a picture of meter base they are bonded in it i think

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Madmat276 said:

Here is a picture of meter base they are bonded in it i think

Click to expand...

Madmat276 said:

Hello, I am working in the state of VA and they use the 2015 State of VA code. I am upgrading to a 400 amp service the meter base supports two panels dual lugs in it. One panel will be a 200 breaker "MAIN" and other will be future use. I know how to wire most of it but really unsure how I would need to bond and ground two panels does anyone on here know VA code or would be able to help if I upload a drawing kinda have a few questions I've done a lot of electrical work just this would be my 1st time with two panels fed from the meter base

Click to expand...

Megawatt said:

Madmatt my advice would be to install two 200 amp double pole breakers in your 400 amp panel. The bonding question is each panel would need 2 ground rods spaced 6 feet apart. Now you will need to install one #6 bare wire from the.neutral bar in each 200 amp panel to the first ground rod unbroken. Then run another #6 bare wire to the other ground rod. Both panels have to be independent of each other. Good luck with your project and I’m assuming that you drew a permit

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Madmat276 said:

Here is a picture of meter base they are bonded in it i think

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Megawatt said:

.
I can’t tell but the ground bar appears to be in the lower left corner
It appears that your ground bar is in the lower left corner and are they a bare wire installed in the meter base which goes down to the ground rods I mentioned?

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Madmat276 said:

Yes it is in the lower left. Thats my issue never installed a 320/400 amp meter base no clue on how to bond it with two panels off of it. A wiring diagram would be awesome and the code we are using here in VA 2015 electrical code ill have to look into the arc flash as this is a residential install

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Megawatt said:

You don’t have to bond the meter base just bond the actual 2 panels since they are both operating independently as said before

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