** UPDATE
Just a note: Update from OPs "answer" moved here. OP Note that this site is not a "forum". If you have additional information that pertains to your question it should be added here just like the below insert So here goes: Again thanks for the replies -- I hope I can get a clarification about the comment by ThreePhaseEel who stated that an "ADU/guestsuite needs to be metered separately from the main house (something that's a bit of a gotcha with a lot of ADU codes)" This is in regards to the bonus Room I will have above the garage which will have a "Kitchenette" with Refrigerator, Dishwasher, Electric Countertop Cook-top (220V), a microwave, and a full bathroom with Exhaust Fan. The lower level (garage level) will also have a 1/4 bathroom (urinal and sink) plus a Washer and Electric Dryer. The Bonus Room will be cooled with an Electric Mini Split the hot water will be a Natural Gas Tankless W.H. The Garage floor and Bonus Room Floor will have radiant heating that will be served from a Tankless Type Water Heating Unit located in the Utility Room of the House and fed by insulated tubing under the breezeway to the garage/bonus room system. Thus, with the Kitchenette and the Electric Dyer and the HVAC Cooling Unit -- the 200A Load Center was what my thought was for the 2-car garage and Bonus Room above.
So.. I am a bit confused if it would be considered "ADU" based on the comment by "Harper-Reinstate Monica" when they said "You are accustomed to a rule that detached buildings must have one electrical feeder to a panel that serves only loads in that building. The pleasant surprise here is that due to the breezeway, that rule doesn't apply and they are considered one building by NEC."
Most likely the "AHJ", will have the say so on that? But... Initially I did not foresee having more than one METER for the service entrance. If there needs to be two METERS then that will require some HELP -- as I can't yet get it in my mind how to have the 400A come in and split and pass thru more than one POC recording METER. (Especially If I were to want to have the METER adjacent to the Transformer near the road).
Then with the statement from Harper -- "your AHJ may be OK with unfused wire coming from a meter pan, to main breakers on the side of a building" That kind of is what I was thinking I would discuss with the POC and AHJ?
As for disconnecting MEANS... I did not envision having a "MAIN BREAKER" at the meter (?) But that the Underground feeders from the transformer (ran in PVC Conduit) would enter a Service Type Panel with a Main Breaker 320/400, then be split into TWO runs to the (2) 200A Load Centers, one mounted inside the 2-car garage and the second 200A LC located in the basement of the house in the utility room.
And as to the Standby Generator it will be a Generac Natural Gas and my plan was to just have it take over the 200A load of the main house.
Again, Harper's comment regarding the Garage Bonus Room being connected by the Breezeway and they are considered one building by NEC. That means any panel can power any number of circuits or subpanels anywhere in this "one building". And that makes it easy to designate one 200A panel as the "critical loads panel", and simply let the other panel "die" when utility power fails This does seem to be the answer to remove the requirement for a second meter under the ADU Code, where ThreePhaseEel stated: a ADU/guestsuite needs to be metered separately from the main house
And yes... I know it ALL depends on the AHJ and the POC as to how ANY of this will be permitted. After all --- I was the AHJ as a Federal Construction Inspector for a large part of my career!
I also realize I am here just kicking ideas around --- But as I am still in the pre-planning stage... and because I like to be able to see it in my mind and know what is possible ahead of time I like to get other's input who may have experience doing what I am hoping to do.
The Breezeway will be 12 foot connection between the House and the Garage/Bonus room -- The RV Garage will be about 50 to 75 feet from the House/Garage. The RV Garage will not initially be used for a workshop but the idea was to at least have the capacity there if there was a need for the amperage. Feeding a 100A Load Center with a 50-60A breaker was the thought, perhaps to power the RV for guests? The only other high Amperage power need at the RV Garage is for an Electric Mini-Split to heat and cool the building - maintaining a 60 degree range temp.
OK -- this is long enough for now.... Please feel free to add whatever you like as suggestions or concerns and comments! Thanks again Richard
21 hours ago