zoedog2012
Silver Member
A panel of some sort. I will be there tomorrow so can look closer at meter, open panel and get more info. Thanks for the help.
Underground wire size question
- Thread starter bfisherman11
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RNeumann
Elite Member
It should have at least a breaker. Either it has a panel or I'd set a panel there. From the panel I'd run 2 conduits- one for the shop and one for the house. The wire size and conduit size depends on copper or aluminum. Decide that and the calcs are pretty straight forward. With the cost of copper most would do aluminum but it's up to you.
TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark
Veteran Member
If you just run the bare minimum that you think you want now, you will be cursing yourself some day. At least if you put in the conduit (as suggested), you can later upgrade without having to dig again.
NewfieDan
Silver Member
I would probably look at a 400A sevice. The extra cost for what you are planning would be minimal. This would also allow you plenty of room for future. Also find the largest panel you can. One person mentioned a 30cct panel. You will find that this does not have enough room for the circuits you will want. Things like fridges, freezers, microwaves, and most large appliances require their own dedicated circuit. There are also a specific number of outlets allowed on any circuit. The larger the house the more circuits will be used just for outlets.
The heat and AC loads also make a difference. What kind of heat will you have? Base board heaters will also use up spaces in the panel, compared to something like a heat pump that only uses a couple of spaces. There are rules in NEC and CEC that will help calculate this.
buickanddeere
Super Member
That would be a 200Amp from the meter to the house. 100 amp from house to shop/shed. Not sure of the local codes but that would be at least 250mcm copper for the 425 ft. When doing the complete job this would be the time for a main service with a generator transfer switch.TWB2 12DR Panel/Link - Reliance Controls Corporation
2ndhalf
Veteran Member
I would also put it in the gray conduit from lowes or HD and use the non-underground wire. I found this cost differential to be true when I made my run to my garage from the house. It is easy to work with and the wire is in conduit I didn't bury mine very deep either. For some reason that underground wire is out of site expensive; also a pain to work with.
2ndhalf
Veteran Member
If HOA here means what I think it do.... your a licensed electrical contractor right? I would not attempt this job on your own being in an HOA or your asking for trouble IMO.
RNeumann
Elite Member
The 30 or 42 count panel is at the road. It comes with the 200a breaker and is a 400a panel. The Siemens I referenced has all copper bus bars and a full selection of breakers available that are competitive priced. Plus the panel is about the half the price of other brands (with aluminum buses)- even from the wholesale.
So at the road you would only need a few spaces of the 30 or 42- the shop for sure and maybe power near the road or a gate.
Then at the house and shop you would technically have sub panels. You are correct- The one for the house should be at least a 42 space panel. Especially now with almost every circuit requiring GFCI, Arc Fault and or Combination breakers.
buickanddeere
Super Member
What is using so much power to require that size of electrical service ?
topbuilder
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200 amps for a house is pretty standard. 100 amps for a shop is pretty minimum. I have 200 amps to each.
TemporaryKubotaOwnerMark
Veteran Member
Yep. Around here, 200 amps is the minimum allowed for a house. A rinky dink tiny single wide mobile home is going to have at least 75, more likely 100.
And I wouldn't even consider building a shop with only 100 amps. That would be crazy.
zoedog2012
Silver Member
I checked the meter panel today and it has 2 200 amp breakers so I will consider running 2 200 amp lines the 425'. Is this doable and what size wires do I need? Or 1 200 and 1 100? Thanks!
RNeumann
Elite Member
Third time- aluminum or copper wire?
How many amps at the shop? 200a for the breaker size or are you switching the breaker and using 100a?
So confirming you have a meter with a few breakers at the road? Does it have space for anymore breakers? Would you ever want power at the meter? Gate, plug etc?
How many amps at the shop? 200a for the breaker size or are you switching the breaker and using 100a?
So confirming you have a meter with a few breakers at the road? Does it have space for anymore breakers? Would you ever want power at the meter? Gate, plug etc?
zoedog2012
Silver Member
200 amps at both shop and house and will run copper wire. No use for power at meter as the main entrance is gated and my irrigation(drip) is battery operated.
buickanddeere
Super Member
Does the house and shop have electric resistance heating ?
zoedog2012
Silver Member
No, we will have a heat pump and LP gas heat and the shop will have gas heat. Was hoping to get natural gas but they want 500,000$v to get it within 1/8th of a mile. As someone suggested, we will have a propane generator for power failures. Funny thing, the developer said we don't have to worry about power outages because our service is underground.(Comes of an overhead line on the other side of the highway) lol!
buickanddeere
Super Member
If heat is LP a 200 amp house service and 100 amp from the house to the shop is lots.
zoedog2012
Silver Member
The shop will have 220 for air compressor,plasma cutter,welder, and hot water heater and A/C in office
RNeumann
Elite Member
The MINIMUM with voltage drop calcs should be 4/0 with a #2 ground wire. Depending on the stove, dryer and heat pump you may notice lights dim. If it was me I'd be thinking about #250 or #500 and a 1/0 ground.
Either way I'd run 3" sch 40 PVC. Calcs would allow for 2 1/2" for the smallest wire, but with that run WHY......
This all assumes THHN/THHW copper wire.
Be prepared to handle that size length and number of wires. It may be easiest to rig something to hold the spool/spools. Also plan on renting a wench. This is a multiple person job.
Had the utility set the meter and transformer near the house you would save a lot of hassle. They would run 1 wire up to the transformer.
Either way I'd run 3" sch 40 PVC. Calcs would allow for 2 1/2" for the smallest wire, but with that run WHY......
This all assumes THHN/THHW copper wire.
Be prepared to handle that size length and number of wires. It may be easiest to rig something to hold the spool/spools. Also plan on renting a wench. This is a multiple person job.
Had the utility set the meter and transformer near the house you would save a lot of hassle. They would run 1 wire up to the transformer.
