100, or 200 amp service, to Garage

gm280

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Jun 26, 2011
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14,605
Re: 100, or 200 amp service, to Garage

I've only got 40amps running to my shop (into a 60 amp fusebox), which has always been enough for a Hobart 180 welder, small fridge, tv and a lot of lights. You really have to work at using power to worry about 100amp service - or have multiple people operating multiple machines.

oldjeep, I planned my shop layout a year or so before starting to build it some years ago. It is 24' x 36' workshop with a 24' x 16' breezeway connecting the house and shop. The shop has enough power to handle most every type stationary power woodworking tool one could ever need and a lot of those power tools use 220 voltages. I also have metal working tools as well with cut-off machines and metal lathe and band saw and welding equipment as well. I also have loads of electronic working tools to boot as well as reloading equipment too. So I wired all my outlets at around 42" off the floor so I don't have to craw under anything to plug in anything. And I wired the receptacles about every 4' separation all around the walls with every other four foot 120 volt outlet also has a 220 volt outlet too. And every receptacle is daisy chained with each wall so no two outlets on any wall are on the same circuit. It took a lot of wiring but well worth the no hassle results. And every outlet is a 20 amp circuit. There are zero 15 amp setups in the shop. The shop is completely insulated and finished off and painted in a white paint to increase light. And the drop ceiling lights are positioned so there are zero shadows anywhere. That doesn't seem all that important until you realize you don't have to find a good light source to eliminate shadows while working on anything. A lot of preplanning when into the shop design and layout. So a 220 volt 200 amp sole source power capacity was a no-brainer... I also wired outside receptacles with GFCI outlets. I do love working in that shop... And I did have four people working at the same time on different stages of production items before. :joyous:
 
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minuteman62-64

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Apr 12, 2011
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1,350
Re: 100, or 200 amp service, to Garage

I had no problem having a licensed electrical contractor pull wire through conduit I had installed and complete the hookup. Not sure if they would have been so agreeable if I had pulled the wire.

As a minimum, I'd think you'd want to dig the trench yourself - probably don't want the digging done at electrical contractor's hourly rates.
 

Wind dog

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Aug 13, 2012
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Re: 100, or 200 amp service, to Garage

I was an electric estimator for our local power company for quite a few years, until I got the opportunity to go somewhere else in the company ( I liked electric engineering, hated customer contact )
For a 200amp panel we require 4/0a tpx in a 3" duct. The customer can and is encouraged to install all sub structures ( Splice boxes / ducts etc) The company would install conductor & set meter.
I don't know why you would ever direct burry a conductor, just asking for trouble.IMHO
 

bigdee

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Jul 27, 2006
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2,667
Re: 100, or 200 amp service, to Garage

I don't know why you would ever direct burry a conductor, just asking for trouble.IMHO

That is the way it has always been done here by the power companies.....conduit above ground and no conduit (direct burial) below grade. Except for someone digging into it I have never seen a failure.
 

Wind dog

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Aug 13, 2012
Messages
304
Re: 100, or 200 amp service, to Garage

Well O.k, I'll buy that. Considering my company thought it would be great to use wooden sub-surface enclosures for transformers.
( need the head slap emotioncon here.)

Come to think about it, the only time direct burried has been a prolem for me is at upgrade time.

I would still put it in duct though.
 
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