Hey all, had a quick question regarding an external distribution panel. A family member asked me to help get power to a very small garage 10x20. Only needing a few outlets 2 lights and a garage door opener. First option was to pull off of a 40amp breaker in his basement out of his 200amp panel but that's not very easy at all and would be about 400 feet away. Other option was to run new service. But they run minimum of 200 amp and charge more monthly for the meter than he would use. So my last option and I'm hoping it is alright, would be to set an outdoor service panel just beside the meter base and have a 200amp main with a 200amp circuit to the house and a 60 to run the shed wich is about 20ft from the base. Then I can just throw in a small 60amp sub panel in the shed. One, is this allowed and 2, does this change my bonding location? Would I bond it at the new service panel and remove the bonding screw from the main in the basement and follow sub panel rules regarding this? Also location is in Indiana and we just have to have a licensed electrician give the ok before service is restored.
Outside distribution panel question
- Thread starter Rbooe05
- Start date
- Status
FionaZuppa
Senior Member
- Location
- AZ
- Occupation
- Part Time Electrician (semi retired, old) - EE retired.
Even with this outside panel, how are you planning to run 60A 4wire 400ft? Buried conduit?
Sounds easier to get it from the basement panel. Mini back hoe for the day, a punch through foundation, conduit, pulling some wire.
Another option is to skip all that, install a propane generator with big tank, and get battery backup garage door opener.
I recommend you talk to your local electrician guy or gal.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
Nothing wrong with coming directly off meter (with proper terminations or via a terminal box of some sort) with a line to the house and a line to the garage. Since you haven't hit a disconnect yet you have service conductors to both buildings and don't need separate grounded and grounding conductors either.
@ 400 feet I'd likely bury 2 inch conduit, even if you only pull 60 amp conductor now. Don't cost that much more and will thank yourself someday when they need more power, all you will need to do is pull larger conductor through it instead of tearing the yard up to get larger supply installed.
@ 400 feet I'd likely bury 2 inch conduit, even if you only pull 60 amp conductor now. Don't cost that much more and will thank yourself someday when they need more power, all you will need to do is pull larger conductor through it instead of tearing the yard up to get larger supply installed.
Sorry should have explained better. The shed is 20ft from the meter base. The main panel is on the opposite basement wall. Would have to somehow go under a concrete patio and avoid a pool and plumbing or go around and somehow get through a big valley. That's after i cut up the finished basement drywall. I am hoping I can just set the distribution panel and break it out from there. The power company engineer wasn't much help.
packersparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- Inspector
No need to set a panel by the service. If you can get double lugs for the meter base use 230.40 Exception No. 3 to run another set of service entrance conductors to the shed.
Exception No. 3: A one-family dwelling unit and its accessory structures
shall be permitted to have one set of service-entrance conductors
run to each from a single service drop, set of overhead service conductors,
set of underground service conductors, or service lateral.
That sounds perfect but would I need to put a smaller main breaker in the main panel? I would have the potential of 260 amps coming from the meter. I asked the service provider if I could go with a larger meter base to compensate for the dual load and he said yes as long as I pay for a larger wire run from the pole.
FionaZuppa
Senior Member
- Location
- AZ
- Occupation
- Part Time Electrician (semi retired, old) - EE retired.
Pay? Doesnt the connection into basement still seem attractive?
And your 1st post said 400ft and a garage, now its 20ft and a shed?
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400ft to the main panel in the basement in the home.. 20ft to the meter base. Would MUCH rather run to the panel if it were easier to do. 10ft by 20ft building with an overhead door and a walk door. Concrete floor. Term it what you wish...
packersparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- Inspector
Not as long as the load calculation is under 200 amps.
FionaZuppa
Senior Member
- Location
- AZ
- Occupation
- Part Time Electrician (semi retired, old) - EE retired.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
Agree. See this kind of thing on farms all the time and no issues. 200 amp meter/disconnect (some with ocpd some without) on a distribution pole and multiple buildings supplied from it. Often the load is nowhere near 200 amps for any lengthy period of time.
Perfect! Thank you so much! I didn't even think of this. Load calculation for the panel is about 135 so I actually have plenty of room. I can double lug the meter base and put a 60amp panel in the shed/barn/garage whatever you want to call it and be done!
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