Joe wrote:
I'd like to add a subpanel for a workshop and am wondering if it absolutely
has to be wired off of a breaker in the main box or if it can be wired from
the meter (i.e., can I have two main panels). I realize this is atypical,
but I have the following to deal with:
1) My meter is on the wall of my workshop, whereas my breaker box is in
the basement on an interior wall on the other side of the house. Not only
would it be very difficult to fish but it seems inefficient to run feeder
all the way back to the workshop.
2) My house has 150 amp service and I need 100 in my workshop.



Unless your situation is very unusual there is some sort of
disconnecting means much closer to the meter. You need to locate that
disconnect and describe it to us in order for us to provide competent
advise. The US NEC allows up to six separate switches, breakers, or
fused pull outs to be used to disconnect power to a single building. If
there is a disconnect in the meter pan that is commonly called a meter
mains assembly. Unless the meter mains assembly has provision for
adding an additional breaker; and many do; you will need a new metering
arrangement. If there is a separate service disconnecting means then
you will have to mount the additional disconnect right next to it to
satisfy any electrical inspector who is worthy of that title. I imagine
if the disconnect were inside the shop you would have noticed it and
mentioned it. To find out what your situation actually is open any
separate section cover on the meter enclosure, that is not holding the
meter itself in place, you can open without tools, and without breaking
a power company seal, to look for the main breaker. Let me be clear
that if the meter enclosure has only one cover there is no disconnecting
means inside of the enclosure and it is extremely dangerous to open the
cover. If you locate a separate service disconnecting means then
describe it as completely as you can.
--
Tom Horne

"This alternating current stuff is just a fad. It is much too dangerous
for general use." Thomas Alva Edison