wrote in message
...
On Thu, 19 Oct 2006 14:27:21 GMT, "Pete C."
wrote:

It is possible in at least some situations to feed more than one service
panel directly off the meter. In this case it's not a main and sub
panel, but two main panels. I've not looked for the particular code
sections covering this, but I've seen it frequently with 400A services


You can do this but the disconects must be "grouped" (next to each
other) and there has to be 6 or less disconnect devices. All equipment
connected to the service conductors needs to be suitable as service
equipment.

Thanks for your reply.

If anyone is interested, this appears to be covered under NEC 230.71 (though
I don't have a copy and am basing that off of citations on the web).

The total capacity of all paralleled panels cannot exceed the capacity of
the meter base, which in my case is 200A. This would allow a maximum of 50A
for a parallel box (i.e., looks like I'd need a new meter base to go this
route).