2 100 amp load centers or 1 200 amp load center?

[wedge40]

Wanting to start getting electrical supplies for the barn.
Not sure what exactly sure what equipment I'll have but here is a list of the larger items I can think of.

220v 2 stage compressor
220v table saw.
220v electric dryer.
220v tankless water heater.
220v 50 gal water heater - radient floor heat supply.

120v outlets every 8ft min.

Should I get 2 100 amp panels or one 200 amp panels.

Wedge

 

[rmully]

I would put in one 200 amp panel ...it is a better install with only one feed and plenty of room to expand.

 

[LD1]

A 200A 40 space box isnt twice the price of (2) 100A 20 spacers. It is only about 20% more.

And the feeder wire ALSO isnt double the cost. 200A wire is only about 20% more as well.

So it will actually be cheaper and just as good to go with 1 200A panel and feeder. UNLESS this is a huge barn and you were planning on one panel at each end to limit the length of wire running to your 220V higher amperage utilities. Not sure what the amperage is on some of them, but for indoors 50A, you need 6ga copper. And that stuff aint cheap. So keep that in mind as well when laying everything out. Keep the higher amperage stuff as close to the box as you can. Because to feed it is $$$$$

 

[wedge40]

So one like this would be fine.

200 Amp 40-Space 40-Circuit Type BR Main Breaker Load Center Value Pack-BR4040B200V at The Home Depot

Wedge

 

[CharlieS]

Have you calculated planned load? Without doing so its all a guess. Plus most areas require load calculations before issuing an electrical permits.
That being said, a 200 amp panel installation will be cheaper than two 100's. You'd still need to build a 200 amp service, and either provide two 100 amp sub-mains, add multi connection lugs to the meter, or a gutter to split to two locations, depending on local codes. Unless the meter housing is rated for multi conductor terminations per lug, it's illegal to tap more than one connector per termination.

 

[wedge40]

Its not so much the cost, but rather making sure I dont have an unbalanced load issue.

Wedge

 

[kennyd]

Cutler Hammer has 42 space panel's: Shop Eaton Cutler-Hammer 42-Circuit 42-Space 200-Amp All-in-One/Combination Main Breaker Load Center at Lowes.com

Since you will have so may 240v tools/devices, balancing the panel will be easy-it's already done for you by the breaker.

 

[tommu56]

I was thinking hard about it is there a generator in the future?
That might be a reason for 2 panels.

one for the generator loads, one for who cares I don't need it now.

tom

 

[dstig1]

I see no reason to run 2x100A panels. 220V loads are automatically balanced, as Kenny noted since they draw from both legs. Unless you do something really goofy with the 110V outlets, they will naturally balance out also, as every other breaker alternates from one leg to the other. In other words, you put in a 100v breaker and it connects to leg "A". Put in another one directly below it and it will be connected to leg "B"

Plus I recall a code restriction that there can only be one main panel for any building for safety reasons. In which case if you wanted 2 panels on opposite ends, you would be better off putting in a main 200A panel and running a second panel as a sub panel off of that. But I don't think you can legally put int 2 independent 100A panels.

 

[rambler]

A single 200 amp, for sure. Can't have 2 feeds to one building 'here' legally, not sure what you try to gain with a pair of 100 boxes - complexity & problems & cost if legal at all?

--->Paul