How many amps do I need for home/nursery?

rlee6 · Mar 21, 2005

I am building a home/farm on 10 acres. I have to decide where the power pole is going to be and how many amps I will need before I meet with the power company. And single phase or 3 phase.

I know a 3 bedroom house needs 200 amps. I have to add well pump, say 2 HP. What else must I add? Will I need 3 phase?

Since there is no building, the power company will put a pole and a meter. If I have a building, will they put a meter on the building? Thanks.

DUMBDOG · Mar 21, 2005

Some well pumps require 3 phase, but there are controllers and pumps that will take the place of these. Large air compressors and other larger tools may require 3 phase, but not what most small farms would use.

Also do not know what type of shop if any that you would be putting up, Figure 50-60 amps for a welder, lighting and other power tools, not all used at the same time.

They never asked me when I put up my shop, but I would guess 400 amps would be more than adequate, maybe overkill on the amperage.

kubotabilly · Mar 21, 2005

rlee6,
A 200 amp service for your house is just fine. You do not need 3 phase for your house. The electric co. will install a meter on a building providing you have a service to hook to.
I have a 200 amp service in my wood shop and took a 100 amp subfeed from that to feed my tractor shop. I use a 200 amp mig welder and have a large compressor in my tractor shop and have no problems with overloading any circuits. If in doubt call a licenced electrian and have him look it over for you.

Bill

rlee6 · Mar 21, 2005

Thanks for the reply. I will look into 3 phase submersible well pumps. I guess I will need a small shop with compressor and welder.

I am in Orlando and not far from you. Maybe we can have our first Central Florida/Polk County (where my farm is) meeting. I am looking forward to it.

JMA375HH · Mar 22, 2005

I have to say that this is the hole truth from kubotabilly, he is rite on the money with his reply to you. I agree Totally.
jma375hh Jrnyman Electrican. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Egon · Mar 22, 2005

Really don't think you have to worry about the three phase pump. Most home owner sub's run 220 volt on the household service.

gws · Mar 22, 2005

I fail to see why a 3bdr home would need 200amps. Granted thats what you will get but its not what you need. You have plenty of current capacity to down feed a near by building.

notamustang · Mar 22, 2005

Kubotabilly was correct. I would check to see if you get a price break on electriciy used for farming. In that case you would want the well pump(s) run off a seperate meter as well as your shop/barn.

mbrule · Mar 22, 2005

Not sure just what you will be running, but for example, and please I know this is less than ideal, but it works! I have a 100 Amp service in my three bedroom house (no well pump), from that I have a 40 Amp subpanel in my shop, where I run a 250 Amp mig welder, large compressor ( 6 HP, 19 CFM @90 PSI, easily runs 2 DA's). Plasma cutter, 100000 BTU furnace (or 15000 BTU AC), all lighting and misc. power tools. Believe it or not, no problem running heat or air, all lights, compressor, welder, and hand grinder at same time!!! While I realize it is less than optimal, it works!

Matt

SPIKER · Mar 22, 2005

Hi all:

for a HOME you will be fine with 100 amps but usually with all of high tech stuff people want the 200 amp service. lots of places still using 60 amp services around here!

anyhow if you plan on running green houses with high watt lighting & resistive heating loads or lots of large motors then and only then would you even begin to require the 3 phase systems. some 3 phase systems have high leg to ground so one leg is 208 to N/G where as the other two legs are the standard 240/220 to each other and 120/110 to N/ground. note all 3 legs are 220/240 to each other regardless of it is a high leg system or not.)

anyhow the well pump is more than likely would only need to be 220 single phase and unless you need 100 GPM or something like that then you will do fine with it that way. I know you stated NURSERY but you didn't specify if you meant trees planted out in back or a bunch of flowers and veggies planetd in rows of green houses... so I tried to speak up for both. if you plan on lots of water then remember to figure a much higher cost for the pumping equipment and storage capacity as well as well digging costs.

MarkM /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif