Guest house tap - 500' from existing service

[yourflorida]

My local authorities will not allow a new meter service on the In-Law house I plan to build. They inform me I MUST run it off of the existing service, problem is the homesite is 500' one way from meter can.

Existing:
Meter > Interior panel/200amp main

Using the "unlimited tap rule", I could replace the meter (upgrade for amps) and install a disconnect there for the new run.

The wiresize is going to be silly (240v/150amp expected at new house).


Any suggestions?

One other idea was to have my current service moved to a halfway point, then send it to existing house panel and new house panel underground, this would cut down on oneway distance but complicates with new service location in the middle of the woods.

Desperate!! What would you do?

 

[charlie b]

This thread had been closed. This action was taken because it appeared to be an attempt by a Do It Yourself person to obtain "how-to" information.

In an exchange of Private Messages, the Original Poster has provided assurances that this is not the case. In this case, the OP stated that he intends arrange for an electrician to perform the work, and is merely seeking information to assist in planning the project. Therefore, the thread is being reopened. I offer an apology to the OP for the inconvenience and the delay.

 

[LarryFine]

My local authorities will not allow a new meter service on the In-Law house I plan to build. They inform me I MUST run it off of the existing service, problem is the homesite is 500' one way from meter can.

Around here, that helps enforce ordinances against multiple familt occupancy of properties zoned only for single-family use. Make sure your structure will be compliant.

Using the "unlimited tap rule", I could replace the meter (upgrade for amps) and install a disconnect there for the new run.

What would you do?

Exactly that. 320a meter and a second disconnect.

You really need 150a? Wire size, maybe so. You have to calculate realistic voltage drop at a realistic load current.

It might be worthwhile to compare cost of transformers and smaller wire to wire size otherwise needed.

 

[LawnGuyLandSparky]

My local authorities will not allow a new meter service on the In-Law house I plan to build. They inform me I MUST run it off of the existing service, problem is the homesite is 500' one way from meter can.

What I would do is have a lawyer write a letter to the local authority requesting an exemption to this rule. Include a letter from an EE explaining that the distance makes common metering a unnecessary hardship. The regulations obvious intention is to prevent multiple family use of a single family lot. But for sure, a lot with enough sq. ft. to have a second unit 500' away was not considered when wording the regulation.

Existing:
Meter > Interior panel/200amp main

Using the "unlimited tap rule", I could replace the meter (upgrade for amps) and install a disconnect there for the new run.

The wiresize is going to be silly (240v/150amp expected at new house).


Any suggestions?

One other idea was to have my current service moved to a halfway point, then send it to existing house panel and new house panel underground, this would cut down on oneway distance but complicates with new service location in the middle of the woods.

Desperate!! What would you do?

 

[hbendillo]

I agree with LawnGuy. I guess they don't want two meters at the same residential address. That is probably very unusual for them. So if you can't convince them otherwise, you are probably going to have to connect to the existing service.

Question: Is the existing service to your house underground or overhead?

 

[wbalsam1]

..........I guess they don't want two meters at the same residential address.

I don't think it's the same residential address if there's two residences. Why would they not allow two services if they allow two houses? :-? Something doesn't add up here.....

 

[yanici]

I don't think it's the same residential address if there's two residences. Why would they not allow two services if they allow two houses? :-? Something doesn't add up here.....

I could be wrong but, the poster says it's an "in law" type residence. The reason behind no two meters allowed, IMO, is because the local zoning is probably for single residency on the lot. They want to make sure it doesn,t become a rental unit. They sometimes allow "in law" units on single residence lots.

 

[Dan Edgington]

In this area they will only install a econd meter at a single family address if you pay commercial rates on the service. Also that become limiting an a situation like you described because the if it will not be an occupied dwelling your aid to construction will be far mroe significant than running the approriate conductors.

I would look at the residence you plan on installing and run a good set of load calculations to determine the appropriate size conductors for the service lateral.

Could you reduce your load by using gas or fuel oil heating? That might also help bring down the service lateral size.

Dan