Runnign 100 amp service to garage

[kootch88]

In Maine in the townships everything is regulated by LURC, which is a fancy name for the state. This is a very rural area with no incorporated towns. Anyway, two years ago I reworked my entire electrical myself from the meter box to the new panel. We had no inspections or permits needed in any way, which is scary and explains the old electrical system. I did some research and learned two rods are recommended, but when I spoke with an electrician he said I am fine with 1, almost all houses had one until recent times with 100 amp service. I had a run of 11 feet to the breaker panel and I used aluminum just like I did when I bult the garage at my old house. That was 60 feet. I hate the stuff. Nasty to work with compared to copper and you really need to watch how you handle tightening them down on the lugs. But I took my time just like I have done with all my major electrical projects and have never had any problems, just like most of the houses out there.

 

[whitedogone]

I am having a hard time figuring out what you're doing by reading your post. I gather you're setting a service at the power co's pole and then running a feeder underground to feed a subpanel at the building, correct?

AL cable is FINE. You'll what to run 2 1/2" for that cable. Burial depth is 18" or 24" (24" if there is vehicular traffic over buried cable).

WDO

 

[jonnysteals]

I am having a hard time figuring out what you're doing by reading your post. I gather you're setting a service at the power co's pole and then running a feeder underground to feed a subpanel at the building, correct?

AL cable is FINE. You'll what to run 2 1/2" for that cable. Burial depth is 18" or 24" (24" if there is vehicular traffic over buried cable).

WDO

I am runnign a wire from the telephone pole to my garage where I will put my meter and subpanel in. this will all be fed underground. I will run across a driveway so I should bury it 24 inches? I plan on puting caution tape in the trench when I cover up the trench so if someone digs they should see the caution tape before my conduit.

I will look at the 2.5 conduit. I guess it would be up to my electrician to tell me what he needs.

 

[MarkV]

May be different in you area but in mine I had to meet the power companies minimum standards as well as the electrical inspectors standards. Between the two there was no reason to ask for other opinions. They pretty much dictated what had to be done in their jurisdiction. I would start with them and see what you can do.

MarkV

 

[caver]

Aluminum: Great for overhead but one nick underground and eventually it can/will fail. I had to replace my home service entrance (AL wire) last fall. While digging it up I came across some splices which told me it had been repaired. This might have been damage from installing a fence etc. Then I also came across another set of wires so the whole thing has been replaced. This house was built late 70's early 80's. I've been here 19 years. Some utilities will pay for the triplex if you run overhead. You would only be responsible from the weatherhead to the meter base and beyond. Advice from us is of little use. You need to talk to your utility provider and electrician, who SHOULD be knowledgable on local codes
.

 

[rneal55555]

When I remodeled the kitchen in our last house I updated the early 60's vintage wiring to todays standards, to gt it right I spent an afternoon at the local library with the NEC and NEC handbook reading, I spent a lot of time reading stuff I didn't need to but was able to figure out what I had to. I copied the pages I needed and wanted to be able to refer to as I went along. It was time well spent for the education I got and cost next to nothing 25 cents for each page I copied which came to just a few dollars.

 

[whitedogone]

I am runnign a wire from the telephone pole to my garage where I will put my meter and subpanel in. this will all be fed underground. I will run across a driveway so I should bury it 24 inches? I plan on puting caution tape in the trench when I cover up the trench so if someone digs they should see the caution tape before my conduit.

I will look at the 2.5 conduit. I guess it would be up to my electrician to tell me what he needs.

Couldn't do that here. The power company owns the service drop up to the weatherhead on an overhead service and their service laterals to the lugs on an underground service. What you're talking about is running Power company laterals. Setting a service at the PC pole, then installing feeders to then power a sub panel in a structure would be covered by the NEC.... not Power Company service manuals.
WDO

 

[timswi]

When I built my house the transmission utility insisted on aluminum feed wire..I bought direct bury and put it in conduit...Same with the garage 100a sub panel..As has been said, as long as it's installed correctly and the lugs are torqued and lubed all is good....

I was going to run copper to the garage..The supply house told me not to waste my money...This is an electrical contractor supplier, not a big box.

 

[jpm1]

I would not hesitate using Alum wire. I've did several houses and garages using alum and 2.5" sched 80 conduit. Absolutely no problems. Make sure you use the anti Ox, paste on your connections and don't over torque the connectors. As for 2 ground rods .. .ABSOLUTELY!!! I believe they need to be 4' apart and 6" below grade.In my state if you can't drive them straight down because of rocks you can go horizonal but check with your inspector first, he has the final say. Make friends with him or her and you got it made .. .John

 

[whitedogone]

I would not hesitate using Alum wire. I've did several houses and garages using alum and 2.5" sched 80 conduit. Absolutely no problems. Make sure you use the anti Ox, paste on your connections and don't over torque the connectors. As for 2 ground rods .. .ABSOLUTELY!!! I believe they need to be 4' apart and 6" below grade.In my state if you can't drive them straight down because of rocks you can go horizonal but check with your inspector first, he has the final say. Make friends with him or her and you got it made .. .John

Hey, I resent that.