Ground wire size for 400 amp service

Jul 16, 2024
clamp and connect it to the ground bar. Tighten the screws of the loom clamp. 13. Drive 2 ground rods flush with the ground. 14. Hang the service panel on post fastening through back of panel. Strap conduit to post with the pipe strap. 15. Connect the ground wire (continuous with no breaks) to the ground rods with the ground clamps..

For a 400 amp service with aluminum, aim for a 1,000 kcmil wire. And for the ground, a 1 AWG aluminum wire should do the trick. So here’s a quick recap for you: Copper: Go with 600 kcmil for the main wire and 3 AWG for the ground. Aluminum: Opt for 1,000 kcmil for the main wire and 1 AWG for the ground.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips Stocks with potential are probably not everyone’s cup of tea right now. W... InvestorPlace - Stock Market N...If you are installing a 400 amp service then you can use conductors based on the table in art. 310 Not sure but if I were doing a calc I would use the 83% for the 200 amp service for the house and 200 amps for the shop which means you could use a wire rated for 366 ampsThe best wire size for a 400 amp service would be 1,000 kcmil aluminum wire or 600 kcmil copper wire. The wire size can change based on factors like the wire material, distance, voltage drop, temperature, and overhead and underground power lines. You need 3 AWG copper or 1 AWG aluminum wire for the ground wire.In US households, the cooper wire size will be around 250-300 KCMil for 200-amp service for 300 feet away. On the other hand, the aluminum wire needs to be 400-500 KCMil. If you are living in the United State, it's compulsory to have an idea of NEC (National Electric Code). It is a US-based benchmark that gives code telling what size, number ...Dec 10, 2012 · I was hoping to get some advise for a service upgrade that I plan to do soon. I need to upgrade from a 200 amp to a 400 amp service. I plan to install the POCO 400 amp meter base and then connect 2- 200 amp disconnects in parrallel. My question is the termination of the GEC.Wire Strength and Material. You'll need to consider wire strength and material when determining whether to use 2/0 AWG copper wire or 4/0 AWG aluminum or copper-clad wire. According to the NEC, these are the correct wire sizes for a 200-amp service: Service Rating (Amps) Copper (AWG) Aluminum or Copper-Clad (AWG) 100. 4.Oct 28, 2008 · You are corresponding with Joseph - Your personal On-Line “Electrical Consultant”. *****Click here to view my profile*****. Ok the code states you don’t need anything larger then a #6 solid grounding wire to bond to (2) grounding rods. You will need to space these 6’ apart minimum. Now from that main panel, you will run a 4 conductor ...According to FPN 250-24 the size for the ufer ground is determined by the size of the largest ungrounded service entrance conductor. For parallel conductor you use the take the size if you had one conductor. For the 1200 amp service it is unnecessary to add them all together because once you reach 1100 kcmil the ufer is 3/0 copper or 250 aluminum.They’re not cheap; they’re $50 over the new AirPods Pro. But if you’re a Bose fan, you can pick them up starting September 15. Yes, I missed Bose’s big news this morning. I was bus...Dec 10, 2012 · I was hoping to get some advise for a service upgrade that I plan to do soon. I need to upgrade from a 200 amp to a 400 amp service. I plan to install the POCO 400 amp meter base and then connect 2- 200 amp disconnects in parrallel. My question is the termination of the GEC.SERVICE CABLE IS NOT ALLOWED BELOW A BUILDING. Minimum Customer Wiring Size - Residence Single Phase ** CONDUIT 100 Amp 320 Amp 200 Amp SIZE METER 2" #4 #2 #6 2.5" * 4/0 3" 2/0 #4 ALUMINUM Current carrying & neutral wire size (per NEC) COPPER SIZE GROUND WIRE SIZE 350 500 #2 Notes: 1.The Customer is responsible for clearing and maintaining all ...The size of the grounded conductor in each raceway or cable shall be based on the total circular mil area of the parallel ungrounded conductors in the raceway or cable, as indicated in 250.24 (C)⁠ (1), but not smaller than 1/0 AWG. Informational Note: See 310.10 (G) for grounded conductors connected in parallel."1.) What article 250 table do I use in order to size the ground wire I need to use to bond water & gas pipes on a commercial building with a 400 amp service that has two 200 amp panels? For what it’s worth, the 400 amp service is being fed with two sets of 250 aluminum for the hots and two 4/0 aluminum for the neutrals. 2.)For a 400-amp service, you will need a wire size of at least 350 kcmil for copper wires or 600 kcmil for aluminum wires. It’s essential to adhere to the National Electrical Code (NEC) and local regulations, and consult with a qualified electrician to ensure proper installation and safety. 400 amp Service Wire Size Chart:The minimum size of grounding conductors for 200 amp circuit protection should only be #6 copper or (4) aluminum, according to NEC Article 250. If you’re in the United States, you’ll probably stick to the National Electrical Code (NEC). National Electrical Code – NEC 2008.For a 100-amp subpanel, the recommended size of the ground wire is #8 AWG copper wire. However, if the subpanel is located at a separate building or structure, a #6 AWG copper wire is required to account for the longer distance and potential voltage drop. It is crucial to follow the NEC standards and consult with a licensed electrician to ...Feb 17, 2017. #8. infinity said: At 70' voltage drop shouldn't be too much of an issue. There are a few options, as mentioned 500 kcmil gets you 380 amps so if your load isn't greater than 380 you're OK with 500's. If you want the full 400 amps then you can opt for 600 kcmil @ 420 amps.So what the AHJ is saying is you can run dual 250 kcmil aluminum feeders - so that means 6x 250 kcmil wires for two 200A feeders, plus 1 safety ground wire that can be shared. This scenario calls for you ripping out and selling your 500/300 kcmil wire. The AHJ is not authorizing paralleling! You cannot merge the two 200A circuits onto the 500 ...The cost to upgrade to just a 400 amp panel will set you back between $2000 to $4000. Things to consider in the cost of your upgrade include: Replacing your current panel box with a larger one. Hiring a licensed electrician. An average upgrade will take about 8 to 10 hours of work. Most professionals will charge between $50 and $80 per hour ...Turning this main breaker to the off position shuts off power to the entire house and all the branch circuits. The amp rating on this main circuit breaker identifies your electrical service size. If you have a 400 amp service, you will have two 200 amp main panels and each will have a 200 amp main breaker.I am building a 500 amp service. 3 phase. 208/240. In artical 250 (If I remember right, my code book is at work) of the NEC, my sevice ground needs to be sized in accordance to the largest ungrounded conductor. If I were to just used 700 mcm copper, the table shows me that a 1/0 ground is required, but, I am going to parallel with 250 mcm.Most areas will not allow a 320 amp meter base for a 400 amp commercial service. Also, you will not be able to downsize the service conductors as in residential. If you parallel the service conductors, the minimum size is 3/0 copper or 250 aluminum for a 400 amp commercial service.The head of Ukraine’s security service says that the mobile phones of Ukrainian lawmakers are under attack by equipment located in Russian-controlled Crimea. That’s not terribly su...Sep 22, 2017 · Sep 26, 2017. #11. jeremy.zinkofsky said: You need to be careful when sizing the conductor from the main system bonding point (service neutral/ground connection) to the acceptable grounding electrodes described in NEC 250.52. Look at NEC 250.66 for the rules for each type of grounding electrode.Min. Wire Ampacity (100 ft away) = 125A × 1.2 = 150 Amps. That means that we need a wire with at least 150 ampacity to deliver 100 amp service 100 feet away. If you check the wire size chart (you have the link in the introduction), the #0 AWG wire (also known as 1/0 AWG wire) has 150 ampacity. That means that #0 AWG wire is the perfect size ...For sizing a grounding electrode conductor (GEC) for a single service, the grounding electrode conductor is required to be sized in accordance with 250.66 and Table 250.66. That conductor is required to be a minimum size of 8 AWG copper and need not be larger than 3/0 AWG copper.Get free shipping on qualified Service Entrance Wires products or Buy Online Pick Up in Store today in the Electrical Department. ... ground wire. 4/0 aluminum wire. 2 2 2 4 wire. 2/0 wire. southwire service entrance wires ... The Southwire Company 500 ft. 2-2-4-6 AL MHF 100 Amp Cable is designed to connect mobile homes to a supply of ...What is the correct way to do a 400 amp service with 2 200amp panels? Or a 600 amp with 3 200amp main breaker panels? Do I need a gutter above the panel with taps, or can I run 3/0 from each panel to the whether head? What about grounding and bonding two or 3 main panels? The service in question is 3 phase.In summary, you need to use: 8 AWG ground copper wire for 100 amp service (grounding 3 AWG copper hot wire). Even if you have a sub-panel 50 feet, 100 feet, 150 feet, or 200 feet away, you can still use 8 AWG wire because it is used to ground a thicker 2 AWG copper hot wire with 115A ampacity. 2 AWG ground aluminum wire for 100 …The correct ground wire size to use for a 400-amp service typically depends on the gauge cable used for the panel. Assuming that the service panel uses a 700 kcmil copper wire, a ground wire that can handle 5,000 amps shouldThe Ground Conductor Size Calculator will calculate the proper ground conductor size for grounding raceways and equipment based on ampere rating or setting of automatic overcurrent protection device in circuit ahead of equipment. This is based on NEC NFPA 70E Table 250.122.400 Amp Meter 200 Amp Service Disconnect.jpg. 367.1 KB Views: 307. 400 Amp Meter to 200 Amp disconnect 2.jpg. 379.8 KB Views: 360. See less See more ... That's kind of why I asked about increasing the ground wire size to the other two boxes. Attachments. Screen Shot 2023-03-14 at 7.09.52 AM.png. 1.3 MB Views: 315. Save Share. Like. 0 Reply. SW ...He is requiring the 4oo amp service to have a 400 amp main panel, from there 2 200 amp sub panels. According to load, 500 cmils for service entrance is required. Meter is on the other side of wall. Service coming into the back of the panel. With double lugs on the meter load terminals, two 200a mains would also work.Sep 30, 2004. #7. Re: 400 amp service Since each of these panels is service equipment, each has a "grounded service conductor" and also has the grounded/grounding bus bonded to the service enclosure. Per 250.53 (D) (2), you can bond at any of these locations: "The supplemental electrode shall be permitted to be bonded to the grounding electrode ...When looking for a 200 amp service entrance wire size, you should consider the 3% allowable voltage drop by NEC standards. As a result, you need to use a much bigger wire size than the one for short-distance setups. In this case, instead of using a 2/0 copper wire, you should use 300 kcmil copper with only a 2.78% voltage drop.Rewiring projects cost anywhere between $1,500 and $10,000 on average, depending on the complexity and the size of the rewiring. You can anticipate spending between $2 and $4 per square foot of wire, including labor and materials. Wire material ranges from $0.25 to $1.60 per linear foot.GROUNDING: 1. National Electric Code approved grounding required. For 100amp service, bond enclosure with #6 bare copper. For 200amp service, bond enclosure with #4 bare copper. For 400amp service, bond enclosure with #2 bare copper. 2. Ground wire between meter enclosure ground lug and ground rod shall be continuous with no splices.October 9, 2023 by GEGCalculators. The size of the ground wire for an electrical circuit depends on the circuit’s amperage rating. Common ground wire sizes for copper conductors include 10 AWG for 20-50A circuits, 8 AWG for 60-100A circuits, and 6-4 AWG for larger circuits.From the above table, if we apply the 83% rule, then the minimum required conductor size must be calculated for 83% of 100 Amps i.e., 83 Amps. So, the 100 Amp Wire Size with an 83% rule is AWG 4 for Copper Conductors and AWG 2 for both Aluminum and Copper-Clad Aluminum Conductors. Apart from the Service Entrance conductors, the feeder wires i.e ...Oct 4, 2016 · The grounding electrode conductor must be run either to both disconnects or to the meter. In NC we run it to the meter. Also if you look at the notes to 250.66 you would only need #2 copper to the water pipes not 1/0. Also with 4/0 aluminum your calculated load must be 360 amps or less.Conductor Size: The #4/0 copper ground wire is the recommended size for a 400 amp service. It provides sufficient conductivity and ensures low resistance in the grounding system. Material: Copper is the preferred material for ground wires due to its excellent conductivity and corrosion resistance.Jul 15, 2013. #1. When installing service above ground for a 350 amp (one 200 amp and one 150 amp main breaker panels) what size wire is allowed. This is a commercial location...not a dwelling. I will be using copper conductors. The reason I ask is because the standard around here with inspectors for 400 amp is to use 500 kcmil which is rated ...10-812 Grounding conductor size for alternating-current systems and for service equipment (see AppendixB) The size of the grounding conductor connected to a grounding electrode conforming to Rule 10-700 shall be not smaller than No.6AWG. This is a new rule, used to be sized based on the service ampacity, but now is one size no matter the ...400 amp service requires a wire size of 1,000 kcmil. What gauge wire is required for ground rod? The NEC code specifies that a solid copper wire used to connect to a ground rod must be at least either #6 or #8 gauge (depending on the size of your electrical service cable). #6 cable cable will always satisfy the sizing requirement, …i have just finished roughing in a new 7500 foot house and i am preparing to ground the 400A service. i am uncertain about the wire size for the cold water GEC. here are the basics...main panel has two (2) 200A main breakers, separately fed from the meter side of the all-in-one, side-by-side panel. one feeding the main panel and one feeding a ...Re: Parallel Equipment grounding conductor size If this is a 150V-600V wye connected system, then 240.13 applies(it will have ground fault protection). If the ground fault is set to meet 250.122(F)(2) along with meeting the other conditions, then you can use 3/0 egc in each pipe.Ground Wire Size Calculator; Maximum Wire Ampacity Calculator; ... You need 350 kcmil copper wire for a 400 amp 120/208V 3 phase service. ... The correct wire size for a 400 amp 3 phase circuit is 350 kcmil. What gauge wire should be used for 70 amps? For 70 amps, a #1 AWG wire should be used. ...200 amp x 100% / 80% = 250 amps (to account for the 80% rule) Next, determine how long your wire run is. Add 20% for 100 feet and 10% for 50 feet. So, if your run is 150 feet, you'll need to increase the amperage of the wire by 30%. Hence: 250 amps x 1.3 = 325 amps. The conduit size should be able to carry 325 amps.InvestorPlace - Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips Source: Stephanie L Sanchez / Shutterstock.com Today, most electric vehicle (EV... InvestorPlace - Stock Market N...200-amp Service Wire Costs: Between $1000 and $1500 on average, with a median of $1250. The average cost of a 200 amp service panel: Between $500 and $4000, with a typical cost of $2000. The average cost of a 200 amp meter base: Between $100 and $650, with a typical cost of $450.Their electrician of choice is telling us that we're going to need to upgrade to 400 Amp service or run a second 200 Amp service. I find this hard to believe, but these guys usually know what they're doing. Running new utility wire from the street will be costly I'm sure, not to mention trenching or a new pole etc.Here is part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbYHvVH_hmkNo matter what, if you're going underground code states that it must be 200 amps 4/0 wire in a 2-in...The size of the ground wire for an electrical circuit depends on the circuit's amperage rating. Common ground wire sizes for copper conductors include 10 AWG for 20-50A circuits, 8 AWG for 60-100A circuits, and 6-4 AWG for larger circuits. ... A 60-amp service may be sufficient for a smaller house, but larger homes often require higher amp ...Revised the title. Revised minimum size support posts to 2 ½ inch. Replace Note 5 (external ground rods) with old Note 6. Added new Note 6: ground movement protection. 13 : Added that the pole shall be new when installed. Revised minimum size of support posts to 2 ½ inch. Addednew Note 2. Remove old Note 9 (external ground rods), dFor future discussion you should know that a 100-amp service can supply 100 amperes of current at 240 volts, or 200 amperes of current at 120 volts. And a 200-amp service can supply 400 amperes of current at 120 volts. Many campgrounds have a 400-amp (or larger) service panel because they need to feed power to multiple pedestals.Apr 8, 2019 · 600AL is 340 amp conductor. Using 600AL on a service with single main 400 amp OCPD is noncompliant even using the "round up" rule as 350 amp OCPD's are available. A person needs to select a conductor size with an ampacity past 350 amps to be able to select the next size up 400 amp OCPD assuming the calculated load is less than the conductor ...Example 4: Size a copper wire-type equipment grounding conductor for a squirrel cage, 7 ½ hp, 3-phase, 208 V motor. ... Solution: Enter table 250.122 with 400 A and read conductor size N° 3 AWG, copper. Figure 4. Setup for Example 7. Image used courtesy of Lorenzo Mari .The amperage rating of the box does not matter at all. For example, the box is 500 amps and the biggest wire is 100 amps. Then having a 500 amp rated ground is pointless because the 100 amp wire will melt long before the ground will. The best ground is an 8-foot copper rod you drive into the ground with a sledge hammer.In general, the appropriate sizes of wires per amp are the following: A 150 amp circuit requires a 1/0-size copper wire. A 200 amp requires a wire size of 250 kcmil. The proper wire size for a 300 amp is 500 kcmil. A 400-amp service requires a wire size of 1,000 kcmil.In summary, you need to use: 8 AWG ground copper wire for 100 amp service (grounding 3 AWG copper hot wire). Even if you have a sub-panel 50 feet, 100 feet, 150 feet, or 200 feet away, you can still use 8 AWG wire because it is used to ground a thicker 2 AWG copper hot wire with 115A ampacity. 2 AWG ground aluminum wire for 100 …For a 400 amp service, the minimum recommended cable size is 2/0 AWG copper or 4/0 AWG aluminum. However, depending on the length of the cable run and the level of current flowing through the cables. Larger cable sizes may be necessary to meet voltage drop requirements and ensure safe and efficient operation of the electrical system.5000. 700. 1200. 6000. 800. 1200. Note: View wire size charts from the list below. Maximum Allowable Ampacities for Conductors in Raceway, Cable or Earth (30°C) Maximum Allowable Ampacities for Conductors in Free Air (30°C) Maximum Allowable Ampacities for Conductors in Raceway, Cable or Earth (40°C) Maximum Allowable Ampacities for ...For a 400 amp service with aluminum, aim for a 1,000 kcmil wire. And for the ground, a 1 AWG aluminum wire should do the trick. So here’s a quick recap for you: Copper: Go with 600 kcmil for the main wire and 3 AWG for the ground. Aluminum: Opt for 1,000 kcmil for the main wire and 1 AWG for the ground.The first chart covers the size of copper wires (from 8 AWG to 2000 kcmil) and their corresponding copper grounds based on 2020 NEC guidelines; examples are given below each chart for sizing choices such as 3AWG requiring an 8AWG copper ground or 250kcmil requiring a 2AWG copper ground for … See moreFor a 600 amp project, this means using two 350 kcmil copper wires per (2 x 310 = 620 A). It is also possible to use three #4/0 AWG copper wires per leg (3 x 230 = 690 A). Finally, you could even use a readily available 1000 kcmil wire if it is possible to adjust the electrical requirements to its 545-amp capacity.He is requiring the 4oo amp service to have a 400 amp main panel, from there 2 200 amp sub panels. According to load, 500 cmils for service entrance is required. Meter is on the other side of wall. Service coming into the back of the panel. With double lugs on the meter load terminals, two 200a mains would also work.The electrician can help you determine the appropriate distance between the service panel and the ground rods or plates and recommend the minimum ground wire size needed for optimal performance and safety. Importance of Grounding System for 200-Amp Service. Proper grounding is crucial for any electrical system, and a 200-amp service is no ...The size of the ground wire you need for a 200 amp service depends on the length of the wire and the type of wire you are using. If you are using copper wire, you can use the copper ground wire size chart to determine the appropriate size. For example, if you are running a 100-foot wire, you will need a 2 AWG copper ground wire to adequately ...Oct 28, 2008 · You are corresponding with Joseph - Your personal On-Line “Electrical Consultant”. *****Click here to view my profile*****. Ok the code states you don’t need anything larger then a #6 solid grounding wire to bond to (2) grounding rods. You will need to space these 6’ apart minimum. Now from that main panel, you will run a 4 conductor ...We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us.For the service wire, 150' isn't quite far enough to have to worry about voltage drop. Service and feeder to a dwelling is entitled to a favorable derate at 83% of service size. So 400A x 0.83 = 332A. You need wire rated for at least 332A at 75C thermal. That works out to 600 kcmil aluminum. (340A).Aug 9, 2023 · It is based on the wire size you use for the hot and neutral connections. For 100 amps, if you use 4 AWG copper or 2 AWG aluminum wires, you can use 8 AWG copper or 6 AWG aluminum wires for grounding. If you follow the ampacity chart, you will need 3 AWG copper or 1 AWG aluminum for 100 amps. In that case, the ground wire will be 8 AWG copper ...

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That A 1200 amp service fed with 4 runs of 400 kcmil copper. A grounding electrode conductor to the underground water pipe is required to be 3/0 copper per 250.66. However, 250.104 requires a 4/0 copper for metal water piping ran throughout the building. (Table 250.102(C)(1) So, I would require a 4/0 copper grounding electrode conductor. Correct?In summary, you need to use: 8 AWG ground copper wire for 100 amp service (grounding 3 AWG copper hot wire). Even if you have a sub-panel 50 feet, 100 feet, 150 feet, or 200 feet away, you can still use 8 AWG wire because it is used to ground a thicker 2 AWG copper hot wire with 115A ampacity. 2 AWG ground aluminum wire for 100 …

How For a 400 amp service with aluminum, aim for a 1,000 kcmil wire. And for the ground, a 1 AWG aluminum wire should do the trick. So here’s a quick recap for you: Copper: Go with 600 kcmil for the main wire and 3 AWG for the ground. Aluminum: Opt for 1,000 kcmil for the main wire and 1 AWG for the ground.Table 250.66 says that for service entrance conductors over 350 kcmil and less than 600 kcmil, the grounded conductor would be 1/0. There are a few exceptions and circumstances that could change ...Re: 600 amp service grounding electrode conductor sizing the GEC is sized using table 250.66 based on largest service entrance conductors. But, for sizing the GEC to a ground rod, then you use 250.66(A). See also 250.52(A)(5)(b). If you're using Concrete-encased electrode (UFER) then, GEC not required to be bigger than #4, 250.66(B).Oct 28, 2008 · You are corresponding with Joseph - Your personal On-Line “Electrical Consultant”. *****Click here to view my profile*****. Ok the code states you don’t need anything larger then a #6 solid grounding wire to bond to (2) grounding rods. You will need to space these 6’ apart minimum. Now from that main panel, you will run a 4 conductor ...Above the 800 amp breaker, the ratings hold at the 380 rating. Definitely use a neutral that matches the current carrying wires, 500 mcm in this case. I believe this is a service entrance, table 250.66 in NEC shows a 1/0 copper ground for your application assuming you are using a 400 amp breaker and 500 MCM to feed downstream.

When 400 amp service ground rods. Thread starter lucky1974; Start date Sep 22, 2017; ... if the size of the largest service entrance conductor is between 350 - 600 kcmil then you are required to use a 1/0 AWG grounding electrode conductor everywhere except for at the locations described in 250.66(A) thru (C). ... If you wire the ground ring and ...800 amp feeder you want to use #3/0 which is a 200 amp conductor 800/200=4 sets. Switch to 600 kcmil which is a 420 amp conductor 800/420=1.9= 2 sets. In your example you want to use 2 sets for 400 amps that means that each set needs to have an ampacity of 400/2=200 amps or minimum size of #3/0.200-amp Service Wire Costs: Between $1000 and $1500 on average, with a median of $1250. The average cost of a 200 amp service panel: Between $500 and $4000, with a typical cost of $2000. The average cost of a 200 amp meter base: Between $100 and $650, with a typical cost of $450.…

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the size of the ground wire for a 125 amp service is 6 AWG. This size of wire is sufficient to carry the current that will be flowing through the ground during a fault condition. It is important to use the correct size of ground wire to ensure the safety of the electrical system.What Size Wire Is Needed For 400-Amp Service? You need an aluminum wire of 1000kcmil while copper wire of 600kcmil at 167 °F-194°F. 400 amp wire size. Wire: Temperature: ... 200 Amp Service Ground Wire Size; 150 Amp Service; 800 Amp Service ; Stellar Jackson. Recent Posts. link to Can You Run 120V And 480V In The … 35 Amps. 24 Amps. 12 AWG. 20 Amps. 20 Amps. 25 Amps. 16 Amps. This aluminum ampacity chart is quite easy to read. Just find the AWG wire you want to know how many amps it can handle, check the ampacity, and in the last column, you will also find the max. allowable able such an AWG aluminum wire to conduct at a median 75°C temperature. Im trying to size my bond to building steel for a 400 amp sevice. From the meter the service conductors enter the building in parallel sets of 3 phase 3/0. Each set going to their own main breaker 200 amp panel. My thinking is that the wire should be a 1/0 to building steel since it is a parallel set, three 3/0 ungrounded conductors is ... He is requiring the 4oo amp service to have a 400 amp main panel, from there 2 200 amp sub panels. According to load, 500 cmils for service entrance is required. Meter is on the other side of wall. Service coming into the back of the panel. With double lugs on the meter load terminals, two 200a mains would also work.A 50 amp sub panel will require at least 3 to 6 AWG wires. Here, I considered the distance around 55 feet. If the distance is longer, I suggest you use thicker and lower gauge wires. If the sub-panel distance from the main panel is 150 or 200 feet, you can use 4 AWG copper or 3 AWG aluminum or copper-clad wires. For 300 amp, the right wire size is 500 kcmil. 400 amp service requires a wire size of 1,000 kcmil. For 600 amp service, we recommend a wire size of 1,750 kcmil. Rating or setting of Automatic Overcurrent Device (OCPD) in Circuit ahead of Equipment [i.e Circuit Breaker].