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Connecting Electrical Service between 2 metal buildings

shorton

New member
Joined
Jun 7, 2014
Messages
4
Location
Princeton, TX
Hi Folks,
This is my first post on Garage Journal, and I must say that this is a mighty fine forum community that you've built here. Very valuable.

I'm in North Texas and have 2 metal buildings that sit side-by-side, approx 1 foot apart: Building 1 is my Barn. It is 30x30 metal building with metal frame and has a poured concrete slab with a 200A service panel that feeds 6 outlets, lights, a large compressor, and a welder. Building 2 is the Wood Shop. It is a 20x30 metal building with wood frame and wood skids as a base. This building has no electrical, and I would like to gather suggestions for adding it.

What is in my mind now is the following:
- Add a 100A breaker to my existing service panel in the Barn, and from there:
- Run 1-1/2in non-metallic conduit from the service panel on the farthest-away wall of the Barn, across the inside roof supports, to the wall next to the Wood Shop.
- Between the exterior walls of the Barn and Wood Shop, I will use Flex-conduit with enough slack to reasonably handle if the Wood Shop on skids were to shift position for some reason.
- Inside the Wood Shop, I will install a 100A load center with breakers for an old 30A/220v band saw, 110v table saw, radial arm saw, lights, and some number of fans (its hot and I have yet to get a satisfactory cooling scenario working...leaning toward eave fans next). Won't forget to add a ground pole for this box...
- I'm thinking of using the box store's 2-2-2-4 Aluminum SER' to run between the service panels, but here I'm a little out of my comfort area dealing with these types of wire. I'm thinking I will buy 60 feet, but will need more like 50 including verticals.

Can anyone shoot holes in my plan or make alternate suggestions?
thanks and regards,
shorton
 
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2xs

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Jan 13, 2014
Messages
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Sounds like a good plan nothing jumps out at me that says it won't work.
 

Stuff

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Aug 31, 2013
Messages
572
A few thoughts:

- 2 gauge aluminum only good for 90 amps unless for entire service. Inspectors rarely write it up though.
- SER is a pain to pull through conduit - individual conductors (THHN) would be easier.
- Need grounding rod(s) as separate structure
 

pattenp

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Jun 4, 2008
Messages
10,175
Location
Virginia - USA
The SER cable doesn't need to be in conduit unless it's in a place that may make it subject to damage. You might get by with running the SER exposed and just use a short section of conduit as a sleeve between the buildings.

Edit: You need 1-1-1-3 Al SER for the full 100A by NEC.
 
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Mustang51js

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Jan 24, 2014
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Haskell nj
One thing to keep in mind if you plan on getting an inspection,or depending what your wood shop is going to have in it,it may classify as a hazardous area. You may need weatherproof,vapor proof or explosion proof outlets,switches and lights. Just something to think about.
 

Norcal

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Mar 16, 2008
Messages
13,761
One thing to keep in mind if you plan on getting an inspection,or depending what your wood shop is going to have in it,it may classify as a hazardous area. You may need weatherproof,vapor proof or explosion proof outlets,switches and lights. Just something to think about.

A bit extreme for a home shop, sort of like making a bathroom a hazardous location because of the methane gas venting going on.
 

Mustang51js

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Jan 24, 2014
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Location
Haskell nj
A bit extreme for a home shop, sort of like making a bathroom a hazardous location because of the methane gas venting going on.

That's why I was saying depending on the wood shop,if there's a lot of saw dust it's something to think about.
 

Executive

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Jun 29, 2012
Messages
77
Type SER is not designed to be installed in conduit.
The NEC also requires a separate grounding electrode(s) at the supplied building.

Chris
 
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