midlf
Platinum Member
Check down to the "power to pole barn" thread. It has a link to a cable size calculator. Using this calculator you would need 300MCM cable.
Main electric service line too long?
- Thread starter bebster
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Farwell
Veteran Member
midlf,
I agree with you. I also feel that on some things it is okay to take short cuts and do it the easy-cheap way but when it comes to wiring there are some serious potential consequences involved. I do not feel that any inspector or utility company worth their salt would allow the wiring to be passed if installed as described. If there is an accident caused by the wiring most insurance companies will not honor a claim that has code violations. They are always looking for loop-holes.
IMHO
Farwell
I agree with you. I also feel that on some things it is okay to take short cuts and do it the easy-cheap way but when it comes to wiring there are some serious potential consequences involved. I do not feel that any inspector or utility company worth their salt would allow the wiring to be passed if installed as described. If there is an accident caused by the wiring most insurance companies will not honor a claim that has code violations. They are always looking for loop-holes.
IMHO
Farwell
chim
Elite Member
Bebster, there are a couple things I'd look into:
1. How does the power company charge for their work? Mine brought primary to a padmount transformer near my house. They ate the charge for that because the transformer is set on the property line, so it could conceiveably serve another property next to mine. At the time, they told me if the transformer would be located entirely on my land, they would charge me for the 100 yard run from the road. They also ate the charge for the phone company's replacement of several poles along the road to get to my place. Power stopped a distance down the road from my place, but phone lines continued past it. The two utilities work together to some extent, and they decided to have the phone company upgrade their poles so they could run their power wires on them. My total cost was <$1.00>. The power company paid me $1.00 for the right of way for access to the transformer and the HV cable buried across my land.
2. I'd rethink the conduit size if the 4/0 was mine to maintain. In the event of a cable failure, re-pulling the run would be significantly easier with 4" pipe.
3. Making up the run like a "necklace" will be a PITA. If this is how your sparky plans on doing it, make sure he doesn't get sloppy with the solvent cement. Could damage the insulation.
5. There are some other good ideas already posted.
Good luck with your project........................chim
1. How does the power company charge for their work? Mine brought primary to a padmount transformer near my house. They ate the charge for that because the transformer is set on the property line, so it could conceiveably serve another property next to mine. At the time, they told me if the transformer would be located entirely on my land, they would charge me for the 100 yard run from the road. They also ate the charge for the phone company's replacement of several poles along the road to get to my place. Power stopped a distance down the road from my place, but phone lines continued past it. The two utilities work together to some extent, and they decided to have the phone company upgrade their poles so they could run their power wires on them. My total cost was <$1.00>. The power company paid me $1.00 for the right of way for access to the transformer and the HV cable buried across my land.
2. I'd rethink the conduit size if the 4/0 was mine to maintain. In the event of a cable failure, re-pulling the run would be significantly easier with 4" pipe.
3. Making up the run like a "necklace" will be a PITA. If this is how your sparky plans on doing it, make sure he doesn't get sloppy with the solvent cement. Could damage the insulation.
5. There are some other good ideas already posted.
Good luck with your project........................chim
CTyler
Veteran Member
While it could be done that way it seems like like more work to me in this case. It would be a lot easier to push the button on a puller, to each thier own. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
You REALLY should reconsider having the power company put the transformer near the house. My primary run is about 400' to the transformer. I had the transformer placed by my shop. The run from transformer to the house is 75'.
Is there a compelling reason you do not want to go this route?
You REALLY should reconsider having the power company put the transformer near the house. My primary run is about 400' to the transformer. I had the transformer placed by my shop. The run from transformer to the house is 75'.
Is there a compelling reason you do not want to go this route?
MikeD74T
Veteran Member
Balance the "cost now" vs "cost later". Is your electrician going to guarantee his installation for any length of time? I've threaded conduit over wire several times and it works great, but is the 2.5" conduit big enough & strong enough to pull out a defective wire & pull in a new one? or will you have to dig up the whole thing again & buy new conduit ? The power Co. owns their installation forever & has to maintain it. Keep your run as short as possible.
Jim57
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Believe me... I would think about doing what the Electric Company suggested. The usage of power is more with voltage drop as well. So the closer the transformer the cheaper the power bill and will pay for itself in the long run. Not to mention what voltage dropage does to household appliances. It makes them not last as long.
Jim
Jim
rambler
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Do as the electric company suggests & you will have a much better installation. In addition to all the hassles & questionable installation of your sparkie, you will get much, much cleaner power for your use. Long runs of 110v wire just eat up power as voltage drop. You will pay a tiny bit less every month for your electric bill with the meter closer to your use. Your electric motors will be happier over their lifetimes.
I'd go with the closer transformer every time.
--->Paul
I'd go with the closer transformer every time.
--->Paul
RE: "I'd get a 3.9% voltage drop. But I'm not sure if that's too much or not that bad. "
If you switched the entire 200 amps on and off atthe same time, that 3.9% drop will be a very noticable dimming of the lights.
The human eye can percieve around a 1/2% change in brightness, so even if you only switch 20 amps on and off, that would be a 0.39% drop, which will be borderline. The things to worry about are appliance motor startup surges. I think an A/C can easily pull a 50 amp surge which will make the lights flicker every time the a/c cycles on.
I agree with the other poster - put in the primary to as close as your house as you can get it.
- Rick
If you switched the entire 200 amps on and off atthe same time, that 3.9% drop will be a very noticable dimming of the lights.
The human eye can percieve around a 1/2% change in brightness, so even if you only switch 20 amps on and off, that would be a 0.39% drop, which will be borderline. The things to worry about are appliance motor startup surges. I think an A/C can easily pull a 50 amp surge which will make the lights flicker every time the a/c cycles on.
I agree with the other poster - put in the primary to as close as your house as you can get it.
- Rick
Bebster,
With all the money you have invested in your new barn so far you might as well bite the bullet and finish it correctly. I'd have the transformer placed close to the barn. You'll be happier in the long run.
What is the difference in cost?
Good Luck,
Kevin
With all the money you have invested in your new barn so far you might as well bite the bullet and finish it correctly. I'd have the transformer placed close to the barn. You'll be happier in the long run.
What is the difference in cost?
Good Luck,
Kevin
wroughtn_harv
Super Member
Bebster I think you've been out voted. :grin
I would only add two things. One, I'd strongly suggest you consider four inch conduit if you're going to go against all the wonderful advice offered. That way you at least have a conduit that will take your eventual upgrade.
Second, I'd go at least three feet of cover (forty two inch trench). Someday you might want another trench dug for something like lighting or irrigation. And you want the electric deeper than anything like that would ever need to go.l
Around here, north Texas, some of the electric co-ops will put their equipment in your trench if you dig it to their specs. You might want to see if that's an option (tractor time, hint hint).
Good luck and post some pictures of that barn.
please.
I would only add two things. One, I'd strongly suggest you consider four inch conduit if you're going to go against all the wonderful advice offered. That way you at least have a conduit that will take your eventual upgrade.
Second, I'd go at least three feet of cover (forty two inch trench). Someday you might want another trench dug for something like lighting or irrigation. And you want the electric deeper than anything like that would ever need to go.l
Around here, north Texas, some of the electric co-ops will put their equipment in your trench if you dig it to their specs. You might want to see if that's an option (tractor time, hint hint).
Good luck and post some pictures of that barn.
please.
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