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moving an electric service

bowfincreek | Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on April 18, 2010 07:19am

I was looking for help on how to go about moving my electric service.  I have a 200 amp service now but am building a new garage that will put the meter way behind the house.  What I want to do is put a new service on the side of the new garage,and run service entrance cable to the original 200 amp panel. Ideally would be to have a new panel at the new service and make the original 200 amp panel a sub-panel.  So if that would work, what size new service do I have to have?  What kind of panel could I take 200 amps off of?  I hope this is clear enough, and thanks a ton for the help.

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  1. junkhound | Apr 18, 2010 08:35am | #1

    Where is your ground? Is it

    Where is your ground? Is it a good conc encased footing electrode or just a 'feel good but about worthless' 10 ft driven rod?

    1st, you need to read some literature, even the NEC would help in your case. Asking such a basic question invites a response such as "you should hire a liscensed contractor', etc.

    OK that said, you should have asked in a way that invites intelligent comment,

    example:

    "I need to move my SE point of entry due to building a new garage. The garage will have a new 75A kiln (aka Rebecca post)and the house is all electric (with 5T GSHP, electric WH, etc) so at times it is anticipated a 300A service would be needed. Thinking of adding the new 300A service panel in the garage, running 4/0 Al in 2" conduit to the old panel (leaving the ground in place, pulling the grounding screw, and adding a separate ground wire bus strip). I'll be pouring the garage footing with all the reinforcing wire and rebar welded and brought out to the ground for the new 300 A service.

    Any other ideas??"

    edit - the site ran enverything together into one paragraph, did this edit fix that??

    1. bowfincreek | Apr 18, 2010 10:28am | #2

      new service

      Thanks for the biting commentary but I think there was some reply in there, so thanks anyway. 

  2. gfretwell | Apr 18, 2010 11:12am | #3

    If you add a new disconnect, your current panel will become a sub panel. You need to separate the grounds and neutrals. The feeder will have to be 4 wire. This can be as simple as a single breaker in a box but you have a lot more flexibility if you put in a breaker panel with feed through lugs for the sub panel.

    You may need to address the grounding but your current grounding system is probably OK. I would still drive 2 rods at the new disconnect location anyway and continue using the current system.

    As for the size of the service, the only way to answer that question is with a load calculation. If your primary heat producers are fossil fueled, you probably have plenty.

  3. DanH | Apr 18, 2010 02:47pm | #4

    If the garage will have a poured foundation (and the foundation isn't poured yet) install a Ufer ground (and get it inspected, if local practices require that) before pouring. 

  4. Amish Electrician | Apr 24, 2010 03:44pm | #5

    The first response was correct, in that your post does invite the response of "if you have to ask ....."  Still, there is some value to discussing the topic.

    First off, you're not able to do anything to the service, without the blessing of the local power company. Typically, they have detailed standards that define just where and how their wires will be connected to your house. Your first step ought to be to talk to them.

    Your next step is to visit City Hall, and find out what they want you to do. What's allowed in Peoria might not play in Vegas.

    As far as the 'shrot version' goes, the wires will have to connect with a meter very soon after they are attached to the house. The entire run will have to be visible to, and accessible to, the meter reader. At that point you will also need a main disconnect.

    Since these main disconnects almost always have fuses (or a circuit breaker), this is where you will need to separate the ground from the neutral. Again, your locale will likely be very specific as to how thay want this done.

    When you hire a pro, you're paying for his training, experience, and judgement. This is one of those situations where the DIY -however handy or smart he may be- almost certainly lacks the competence needed.

    1. JTC1 | Apr 25, 2010 07:27pm | #6

      Main disconnect

      >>First off, you're not able to do anything to the service, without the blessing of the local power company. Typically, they have detailed standards that define just where and how their wires will be connected to your house. Your first step ought to be to talk to them.<<

      That much is correct.

      >>....... the wires will have to connect with a meter very soon after they are attached to the house. The entire run will have to be visible to, and accessible to, the meter reader. At that point you will also need a main disconnect.<<

      If you mean that the above mentioned main disconnect has to be outside with the meter -- maybe in you locale, but not in my entire state or the next one to the west for that matter.  Back to square #1 - talking to the POCO.

      Jim

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