electricians help??
Looking to run the main line from my home meter to my garage when I finally get it dryed in.It will be a run of around 80 feet. Would like to have 200 amp service.
My question is what gauge wire would I need to run?
Thanks
My question is what gauge wire would I need to run?
Thanks
0
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Not really sure about the gauge to use, but make sure you run it through conduit. 0 -
don't. don't. don't.
if you have to ask what size if wire to use, then don't do it yourself. call a professional electrician in your area and get quotes form them as to how much this would cost. get it done professionally.
i don't know you but you come here and post, and that is good enough for me to call you a friend. save yourself time, money and your life. get a pro!0 -
quote:Originally posted by aramisvi
don't. don't. don't.
if you have to ask what size if wire to use, then don't do it yourself. call a professional electrician in your area and get quotes form them as to how much this would cost. get it done professionally.
i don't know you but you come here and post, and that is good enough for me to call you a friend. save yourself time, money and your life. get a pro!
good advice, in addition you cannot just run a 80 foot wire to a 200 amp box, the entire weather head must be changed out, and possible the line to the poll, you do not want to do this work then find out the hard way you do not have 200 amps going to your 200 amp box0 -
.....Copper, or aluminum? I'll let a real electrician tell you what gauge to use, but I don't see a problem with doing it yourself, assuming you are familier with deadly electrons. 0 -
bye bye! been nice knowin' ya! 0 -
Aramisvi is correct. Also too many uknown facts. First, to ADD a additional 200 amps (to probably a sub pannel in your garage) probably would overload your incomming service lines to your house just to begin with. Much too little information was given. 0 -
electricity, ooooooh
gotta go
[:D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by 1911a1fan
quote:Originally posted by aramisvi
don't. don't. don't.
if you have to ask what size if wire to use, then don't do it yourself. call a professional electrician in your area and get quotes form them as to how much this would cost. get it done professionally.
i don't know you but you come here and post, and that is good enough for me to call you a friend. save yourself time, money and your life. get a pro!
good advice, in addition you cannot just run a 80 foot wire to a 200 amp box, the entire weather head must be changed out, and possible the line to the poll, you do not want to do this work then find out the hard way you do not have 200 amps going to your 200 amp box
+2 call around, you might get one who will let you do the grunt work, like digging the trench, for a good price, one other thing to consider is what you homeowners insurance will say if your wiring job goes bad.
And I don't think you can run 2 services off your meter, you must have a breaker / disconnect within x (8-10) feet from the meter.
Don0 -
This may be helpful:http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm
You would need 2/0 awg size wire for a 200 amp service panel. It is most likely the same size that is running to your house now. You might be better off setting a weatherhead and meter can on the side of your garage and have the power co. run a line from the main power line pole.0 -
The others are right, if you are needed to ask technical questions then you had better find someone to do the job for you. You might save some $ if you tell the guy that you will help, digging a trench or setting poles. Some will not want the help of the homeowner but others will work out a deal with you if you help. Your help has to be "Help" also. 0 -
not only all that you will probly have to get a permit 0 -
..You guys are probably right. If you gotta ask wire gauge, you're most likely in over your head. I run water lines, but I'm not a plumber. I run electric lines, but I'm not an electrician. I worked with 240v and 480v 3 phase for 30 years, so maybe I'm more comfortable around such things than the average homeowner.
...trc313 should seek pro help.0 -
I am an elecrtician. Not to hurt your feelings but do not do this yourself. There are to many things at risk some people have already mentioned (insurance if something happons later). Don't know whare you live, but around here the power company does not like their tags cut of the meter by homeowners. The power compary might have fines for cutting the tag. Also remember the incoming power is not fused except for a fuse who knows whare at about 3000 amps. 0 -
I am not sure I understand your question.
My weather head, meter and 200 Amp disconnect os about 65 feet from the main 200 Amp panel. It is most assurredly legal to run it like this.
The wire to use is aluminium, copper is way too expensive. Run it in conduit to meet code. It is a BEAR to bend and work with, so have some friends around to help. Make sure to use the anti oxidation compounds at every connection. Follow the torque listings on the panel.
No big deal to do; more a pain working with wires so stiff.0 -
CALL your local electric company, they have the specs that you will need...as in the MINIMUM acceptable that they will hook up to the system.
Is this your house? Buy the best that you can afford.0 -
all I wanted to know is size.I am not doing it, just wanted to know what gauge so I could get a ballpark to what the cost for wire would be. I have this rule that I never pay someone else to do any kind of work that gets buried and I can't see what's been done. 0 -
If your going to put the wire in and have someone else hook it up I understand that. The wire size for 200a is 4/0 for the hots and 2/0 for the neutral thats for Alum. You will also have to put another ground rod in for the garage. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by trc313
all I wanted to know is size.I am not doing it, just wanted to know what gauge so I could get a ballpark to what the cost for wire would be. I have this rule that I never pay someone else to do any kind of work that gets buried and I can't see what's been done.
CALL the local electric company. They WILL NOT hook up the power until THEY know what is in there.0 -
dcloco
2/0 is the smallest size wire for two hundred amp service.NEC code table 310.20.You'll need three cables ,( wires), this size plus a equipment ground wire.You will also need a ground ( bare wire buried two foot deep 25 feet or longer), wired to the new panel, thats another story.0 -
...and you should still contact the local electric company. EVERY one of them has a different spec...it seems.
We have taken the NEC book to them. They don't care. They go by their standards (which are usually a step of above NEC).0
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