200A Service For Double House

Are you referring to a duplex as a doouble house?

Yes , a duplex . Sorry , I call them doubles .

I went through this a long time ago. A family member owned a duplex. Two homes joined together. I was bought as a package both units under one title. The years went by and they wanted to sell one of the units. They had to get a severance on the property and a second electrical service from the street.

The question that I would ask is this duplex considered a single unit or two units by the municipality?

If they are two separate units than two separate services are required. If it is deemed one unit, than your idea of two 100 amp panels is correct.

Two panels with the main breaker at 200 amps in use, could in theory exceed the 200 amp service.

If all else fails check the electrical code that applies to your area.

Icarus , thanks for the response . The structure itself used to be a large single family home , probably built in the 40's . They are turning it into and up-and-down double , or duplex .

The next thing that they should look at is the fire and building codes.

Are you a licensed electrican?

If not,don't do it.You are exposing yourself to great liability and are breaking the law.

And, if you are not licensed,the person does not have to pay you and you cannot do anything about it in court. So you are taking a great risk.

If you are licensed,some of your fellow contractors can answer your questions, and suggest possible alternatives.

Yeah , thanks for your concern .

If you are comfortable performing the work, you could install a 200 amp fused disconnect ahead of the two load centers the owner wants to install. This would limit the service to 200 amp. By installing the larger load centers now, it would also make a potential addition of separate services in the future easier.

And as others have said, check your electrical code, get a permit and get a license if you don't have one.