350 KCMIL Service

K

Keith H.

New User
Location
Indiana
Occupation
Service Tech
Hello all, long time lurker, first time poster. I usually find my answers without asking.

I am getting elec. service in a pole barn about 350 feet from the pole mounted transformer.
The REMC will not trench more than 250 feet.
Their solution is for me to install a pedestal mounted 320 amp meter base and disconnect at the 250 foot mark, and they will supply AL. 350 to the meter.
I am responsible for the rest.

I'm only shooting for a relatively solid 100 amps in the barn.

My question, most off the shelf panels and disconnects are rated for 250 KCMIL max. Would I be loosing that much capacity downsizing to 250 from the
Meter the last 100 feet?'



Also, should I be downsizing the breakers to be more in line with actual expected amperage?

Thanks to anyone who may have some thoughts on this.
 
For a 100A continuous load in a barn I'd run 250 and set a 200A loadcenter, but I am no EE, keep in mind you'd need 4 wire.
 
ptonsparky said:
Down size in a heartbeat.
Four wire depends on your local codes. Won't hurt.
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Don't know how much you have kept up with NSED since you retired but about a year ago they kind of decided if the disconnects that the rural POCO's typically provide contain overcurrent protection you need to run an EGC now.
 
well, at least with them running the first 250' and then setting the meter there, they'll be paying for the voltage drop across that first 250.'

calculated voltage drop on 350' of 350mcm alum direct buried carrying 100a @ 240v is 2.10%.
calculated voltage drop on 350' of 250mcm alum direct buried carrying 100a @ 240v is 2.74%

i wouldn't bat an eye at dropping to 250mcm compact. it will fit in all of your 200a lugs.
 
I would run, and have run, 250kcmil for 200A in a heartbeat for 100 feet. Our utility is obsessed with 350 and 3" PVC too for 200A services. It's stupid. If the supervisor isn't on site for the install, a lot of times the guys will just run 4/0, which is hilariously small in 3" conduit.
 
going_commando said:
I would run, and have run, 250kcmil for 200A in a heartbeat for 100 feet. Our utility is obsessed with 350 and 3" PVC too for 200A services. It's stupid. If the supervisor isn't on site for the install, a lot of times the guys will just run 4/0, which is hilariously small in 3" conduit.
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There are utilities around here that run 350 aluminum for service laterals for 400 amp services as the general rule and 200 amp services is always 4/0. Same utilities don't run anything smaller than 4/0 for underground. If you only need 100 amp service you better be installing a 200 amp meter socket as you will need the larger lugs for their supply conductors. This company makes owner/contractor install the conduit and meter socket, they pull conductors - and will maintain it as time goes on, but for most part have specifications that make it unlikely they need to do much for maintenance unless there was something physically damaged. If the meter socket fails it is still customer's responsibility but conductors are up to the POCO.
 
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