New electrical service - how to?

[rlee6]

I am getting a new electrical service. I will have to do it myself. No contractor is willing to take my small project. First, too far from city, second, too little money, (80 amp service, less than $1000). I called the county building division. They said individual home owners can do it, but no technical help from their office. Just follow NEC, they said.

Will someone kindly lead me to a book or an internet article that explains all for someone like me? I have done some electrical wiring as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and also service subpanels for my home.

Scope of the project: 1) Pole with receptacle so that power company can tie their powerline 2) service panel for 80A 3) grounding rod 4) pump for well 5) socket for meter I suppose. 6) 240V 80A single phase overhead (unless someone recommends underground). No building, no lights.

Thanks.

 

[npaden]

Have you asked the electric company if they will set the meter loop for you? Usually they will and at a decent price so they don't have to jack with fixing it if someone else does it wrong.

They also might have the name of an electrician to set the panel for you. I think a $1,000 project would be worth a drive out to the country for someone.

I personally have done a lot of wiring from the panel box out but I wouldn't want to mess with it from the panel box to the meter. The consequences of a mistake go up dramatically!

 

[HammerFour]

Your utility requires you to set the pole and meter socket? Ours will do all that, they just won't mount the meter until the customer side of the work ( outdoor waterproof panel in your situation ) is mounted to their satisfaction.

 

[rlee6]

While I was talking to utility co, I learned underground costs max $400 more, but all I have to do is to bury 2 fence posts and a plywood across. No 20' pole to bury. Overall, underground costs me less in time and money than overhead.

Utility co will give me a meter socket that I will put on the post. They do all the wiring to the socket. The only wiring I have to do is between the meter socket and a service panel. Of course, I will add branch circuits later. Oh, the grounding rod, 5/8" x 8'. That's it. I don't have to beg contractors to take my project.

I plan to use individual #8 copper wires, W rated, including neutral, between meter socket and service panel. Is it okay?

 

[TOMDUALLY]

I plan to use individual #8 copper wires, W rated, including neutral, between meter socket and service panel. Is it okay?

NO! I ran #8 wire into my subpanel and when they came out to inspect it they said I could only run 50 amp service with #8 wire. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[VA_Joe]

Don't sweat installing a service. It's easy to do and there really is no way of screwing it up (other than not hooking up a ground). Depending on where you are - either your electrical inspector or the power company (for liability reasons if your county doesn't do inspections) will look over the panel prior to turning on power.

Here is a good book:

mullin book on amazon

Electrical Wiring Residential SC (Electrical Wiring Residential) (Paperback)
by Ray C Mullin

It is $83 new and as low as $20 used. It is well worth it and will answer any question that you will ever have with respect to residential wiring.

BTW - I would worry more about screwing up branch cicuits inside the house vice the service entrance as there are far more ways of doing something stupid (with fire being the end result).

Also - I don't understand why you are only installing an 80A service. I would go 200A if it is a new install.

Anyways - my two cents.

Joe

 

[albmn10]

Hello Rlee, im not sure what your asking, are you putting in a sub panel or a main electric service? Call your local power company and ask for a service manual. Most of the information you will need will be there as far as requirements for your metering and panel installation. If you can get your hands on a national electrical code book article 310- 16 gives you your wire types and ampacity ratings. If your going over head youll need triplex, if your going underground you can use direct buriel . I would check with your local power company as well on the size of service you can put in. Here in Ny the new services start at 150 amps i believe. Sub panels can be less... Either way your power company planner will have to approve what and where you want to put your service... Going with copper or aluminum wire will make a difference in your wire size as well, again under article 310-16... good luck..

 

[goaliedad]

You may get some good info from an electical supply house. Or at least a reccommendation of an electrician if you want to go that route. The only difficulty I see in doing this is knowing what wire to run. Good Luck

 

[rlee6]

Thanks.
1) Since I don't have a house on the property, county approves only 80A service, for irrigation purpose, I suppose. I have to meet with a utility co rep for location, service rating, cost estimate, etc. I can ask him all the questions I have.

2) I am talking about the main service entrance, not a subpanel. I checked the wire size chart. Indeed, #8 is for 50A. I need to go up to #4.

3) Will buy the book. Thanks. And will read NEC 316. I have the code book in my office. (I am not an electrical engineer though)

4) Utility co does not have an extensive instruction. They faxed me a 1 page diagram (more or less a sketch). County does not have any technical publication for home owners.

5) I just came from Lowes. All outdoor service panels with main circuit breaker at the top are at least 2 feet tall. I wished they had a smaller one, for all I am going to have are a pump and a socket or two.

 

[DannyD]

When I did my barn they would run to the weatherhead on the pole that leads into the panel. I ran 100 amp service, #2 aluminum from the weatherhead to the panel, I put it in the panel, meter socket and weatherhead.

I also ran all the breaker circuits, then had to have inspector out to put his sticker on the panel and meter socket.........

the electric company then came out and ran the service to it.