Need Help With Service Entrance Conductor

[Believer]

I have an old farm house (not modern) about 150 feet from my new meter base and disconnect. The meter base is setup for underground service. I'm hoping to get some guidance from some knowledgeable sources here.

Close to the meter base (its on the transformer pole), I'd like to have an underground distribution "box". Where online can I buy what I need and what is it called? From that distribution point, I'll eventually have underground service to three or four destinations (house, barn, well, ?). My meter and disconnect is only 200 amps. So I will run a 200 amp service to the distribution "box"; what wire size do I need for that? What is the part(s) I need to put in the distribution box so I'll have the three or four service branches?

Now I need to go from the distribution box to the house, about 150 feet. I probably only need 50-60 amps. What wire size do I need? This will probably only be temporary as plans are to push the old house down in a few years and build a new timber frame.

 

[Trkrd]

To branch out from the pole to different locations you will need to remove the 200A disconnect and install a 200A main breaker panel (NEMA3R, weatherproof of course). Each branch circuit from there to the barn, pump, etc will need their own correctly sized breaker and wire. As for the house, 50 amps? Do you have all gas appliances? A/C? Need to know what type of load on the house to properly size a feeder.

 

[harwill]

Sounds like what you're describing is a "star" configuration, all fed from a single 200A disconnect? Bad idea. Each circuit needs it's own protection, a breaker sized for the wire and the load. Typically, a house will need a minimum 100A panel (or larger) if for no other reason than to accommodate the number of breakers, now and later. Ditto for the barn, etc. Actually, the more common panels will be cheaper too! I wouldn't want my Main breaker too far from the house for several reasons (including security). I would recommend a 200A on the house with lesser feeds to sub panels on the outbuildings. Then you have options like turning off the main and running a generator in the barn to power the house.
Do some more homework and doodle on it!

 

[hr3]

Pick up a raintight distribution box something like this.. Make sure it has a main breaker.. Then go from this to your other buildings..
Google Image Result for http://www.drillspot.com/pimages/182/18208_100.jpg

 

[Believer]

Thanks guys. See if I'm learning this right. What I'm starting with is the meter below which is a 200A breaker; this is on the transformer pole. What you're saying is I need branch protection for each branch I want to run from the transformer pole.

The old house isn't modern, no water, just a few lights and receptacles. It has one 220 outlet for a stove but I'll probably use it for a window air conditioner. I will only use this house for 2-3 years, then push it down and build a new house. It had an overhead service but after a storm dropped the lines from the transformer to the meter, I decided to move the meter and increase to 200A.

Future plans are to run power to a barn and a separate workshop.

I'm still looking for what I need in the way of a buried pedestal close to the transformer pole in which to branch to the three separate destinations. Then, I guess I put branch protection, i.e., main breaker for the branch, in the pedestal?? If I didn't mention, from the transformer pole, I want to run everything underground.

Ya'll can probably tell I'm inexperienced but trying to learn. I appreciate your patience.

 

[AlbertaDan]

I have an old farm house (not modern) about 150 feet from my new meter base and disconnect. The meter base is setup for underground service. I'm hoping to get some guidance from some knowledgeable sources here.

Close to the meter base (its on the transformer pole), I'd like to have an underground distribution "box". Where online can I buy what I need and what is it called? From that distribution point, I'll eventually have underground service to three or four destinations (house, barn, well, ?). My meter and disconnect is only 200 amps. So I will run a 200 amp service to the distribution "box"; what wire size do I need for that? What is the part(s) I need to put in the distribution box so I'll have the three or four service branches?

Now I need to go from the distribution box to the house, about 150 feet. I probably only need 50-60 amps. What wire size do I need? This will probably only be temporary as plans are to push the old house down in a few years and build a new timber frame.

If this was me, I would run the main feed off the tranformer pole to the outside of the old house. On the outside of the old house I would mount a weatherproof electrical panel. This would be the main 200amp panel. From this panel I would run the circuits to the various areas you want to power up, (the barn, the shop etc). The panel will have breakers to protect the distribution circuits.

The reasoning I have for this is that you said you were going to tear down the old house in a few years any how. By having the main power run now, it will save you a lot of re-digging later. When you tear the old place down, temporarily support the panel until the new walls are up. Then it is a matter of re-positioning the new panel into the new house. You may have to buy new feeders(conductors) to re-feed from the transformer pole, but that will be better than re-buying the entire distribution system.

This works great whe you have an idea of what the new house is going to look like. Then when you run the power to the old house you can put it into a position close to where it will be in the new house.

Almost all panels I have seen can be locked so security about an outside panel is of little concern.

A good idea is to put everything into conduit to make cahnges eqasier later on. Size the conduit for future expansions. Here is an idea of what sizes to buy.

60Amp get #6 AWG conductors and 1-1/4" conduit
100Amp get #2 Awg CONDUCTORS AND 1-1/4" CONDUIT
200Amp get 2/0 (2 ought) and get 2" conduit

This should get you started in the right direction.

 

[Believer]

Thanks Alberta, the problem with branching from the house to the barn is that it is an extra 150 feet. In other words, the barn and the house are in opposite directions from the meter. Is there no way to have a distribution pedestal close to the meter?

 

[bdeboer]

Thanks Alberta, the problem with branching from the house to the barn is that it is an extra 150 feet. In other words, the barn and the house are in opposite directions from the meter. Is there no way to have a distribution pedestal close to the meter?

Do what "TRKRD" said in the second post. The outdoor panel could mounted on a frame with treated plywood near the meter. You may want to include a space to mount a generator feed/disconnect.

 

[jenkinsph]

Consider a 200 amp distribution panel mounted on unistrut with breakers for each feed to house, shop, barn. You might need a larger panel than 200 amp just depends on what you are doing. Sounds to me like the temporary 50amp line to the house is the cheapest part, so if it is in the opposite direction and you are not sure what or where it needs to be for the new house you won't be out much.

For a new large house, shop with power tools, barn and maybe well I would consider a 325 to 400 amp service.

 

[Marti]

Search for this thread 'Electrical Question '. Lineman North Florida has a great description of an underground electrical pedestal. Now, do not ask me were to buy it, I've been looking myself.