Where to put main breaker box

[minytrker]

Have a new 24x40 shop, waiting on electric company to put in another pole and 200 amp service. Where is the best place to put my panel, middle of 40ft wall or on one 24ft end? I need 220v outlets on both sides of shop so I dont see it making a difference but figured I would ask. I am trying to build this shop smarter and not waste money re-doing stuff later.

 

[Norcal]

Unless you have a main outdoors, the main will have to be near where the service entrance conductors enter the building, you do not want a bunch of unfused conductors running through the building & not code compliant either.

 

[Cmreschke]

It's a design issue. What is easiest for your design? Middle of a wall where you might want to put benches? In the corner where you might want to store items? Cost wise it really won't matter. I put mine next to the man door on the hinge side. The door swing allows for me to never stack anything in front of the panel and allows for full time accessability.

 

[94EG8]

IIRC it has to be within 5' feet of the meter so you don't necessarily have that many options.

 

[Cmreschke]

IIRC it has to be within 5' feet of the meter so you don't necessarily have that many options.

Wives tale and so not true. I don't remember the exact wording, but there is no length designation in the nec. I could look it up if necessary. I could run infused conductors outside and around a building as far as I want to, once I enter the building your limited to the closest point available (laymen terms)

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Wives tale and so not true. I don't remember the exact wording, but there is no length designation in the nec. I could look it up if necessary. I could run infused conductors outside and around a building as far as I want to, once I enter the building your limited to the closest point available (laymen terms)

Around here anyway it has to be withing 10' of the meter,or you need an outdoor disconect.

 

[Cmreschke]

Around here anyway it has to be withing 10' of the meter,or you need an outdoor disconect.

Local ammendment? Or shirt pocket rule?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Wives tale and so not true. I don't remember the exact wording, but there is no length designation in the nec. I could look it up if necessary. I could run infused conductors outside and around a building as far as I want to, once I enter the building your limited to the closest point available (laymen terms)

Many local AHJs have amendments that restirct the length of the SE conductors to 5-10'.

Check with your local AHJ...

I personally wouldnt want to have unfused conductors....

 

[minytrker]

I'll have a 200 amp panel on the pole, then the electrical is run underground 300 feet to the shop where I will have another panel. Just trying to decide what the best location for the panel will be.
That's how my house is wired also expect it's only about 50 feet from pole vs 300 feet.

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ Why are you having PoCo put in power so far away from building . . ie 300 ft ??

Why not just have PoCo put in more poles and drop aerial to meter on shop ??

 

[APEowner]

I like them right by a man door.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I'll have a 200 amp panel on the pole, then the electrical is run underground 300 feet to the shop where I will have another panel. Just trying to decide what the best location for the panel will be.
That's how my house is wired also expect it's only about 50 feet from pole vs 300 feet.

What do u plan on running in the shop?

At that distance, depending on your load, will need good sized wire to accomdate for voltage drop.

 

[minytrker]

^ ^ ^ Why are you having PoCo put in power so far away from building . . ie 300 ft ??

Why not just have PoCo put in more poles and drop aerial to meter on shop ??

$10,000 to run poles over to shop or $2,000 for them to put in second pole 15 ft away from the pole for house. The closest pole is on the other side of my house and thy can't go through back yard due to trees so they would have to go way around my house to get to the shop.

 

[minytrker]

What do u plan on running in the shop?

At that distance, depending on your load, will need good sized wire to accomdate for voltage drop.

AC, lift, mig/tig welders, lathe, led lights. I currently run all of that minus lift off my houses 200 amp service plus my whole house.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Local ammendment? Or shirt pocket rule?

The city of omaha and the power co have required it for more than 20 years.

 

[Cmreschke]

Ok. That's good info.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

AC, lift, mig/tig welders, lathe, led lights. I currently run all of that minus lift off my houses 200 amp service plus my whole house.

Is this a one man shop?

I doubt u will ever pull more than even 100a.

To keep voltage drop around 3% for 200a u will need 350Kcmil al or 4/0 cu

 

[minytrker]

Is this a one man shop?

I doubt u will ever pull more than even 100a.

To keep voltage drop around 3% for 200a u will need 350Kcmil al or 4/0 cu

Yes, just me. Its just a small shop for me to mess around in on my cars.