Detached Garage and a 7-1/2 HP compressor
- Thread starter metal4130
- Start date
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Ok, what is before the loadcenter in the house? Just a meter or a meter AND a disconnect on the outside? Post a few pics if you're not sure!
RedBKM
Well-known member
Not to throw a wrench in but why not connect to the meter? In my area it is very common to use a "double lug" meter base. You can install a fused disconnect nearby and wire it to the extra lugs in the base. There is no need to penetrate the house or tug wire into an already crowded box. Being able to disconnect your shop from the outside is also a nice feature.
Some power companies will not use them but you could ask if you're not too deep in. If they charge a big fee then it might not be worth the trouble.
Some power companies will not use them but you could ask if you're not too deep in. If they charge a big fee then it might not be worth the trouble.
Just the meter, no disconnect. The power is disconnected by removing the meter base.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Ok, so then THAT load center IS your main service panel! You should only have 3 wires going to it from the meter socket and the neutral and ground bars should be bonded. You might only have one bar, in which case both neutrals and grounds should be going to this bar! All panels after this one should have neutrals and grounds separate and the neutral bar should be insulated/isolated from the panel enclosure!
Thanks for the help again. I got the house panel all finished and powered up. I used 2 pieces of #6 copper to hook up the new ground/neutral bar. Overkill I'm sure but that's okay. I need to wire up the garage branch circuits then get the compressor hooked up then the job is done. Any comments on the house panel?
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
You sure put a lot of work into that rental house! Panel looks nice, you cleaned it up, real rats nest before. I like the two #6 solid wires to the new ground bar. I was going to suggest a #6 when reading earlier posts, but I got to this and saw you had done it with two #6 so no need to mention it now.
Charles
Charles
The worst part is that I agreed to do the labor for free!! At first it was just a luxury because I needed more power in the garage but after all the problems I found it definitely turned into a much needed improvement. I must have spent 10-12 hours in that super hot, cramped, sweaty attic getting blown in insulation all over me. It was horrible. In the end I've got safe and sufficient power in the garage/shop and I also learned tons to apply when I get my own home.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
The panel looks a whole lot better! I will say though, when i hookup a panel, i put the individual wires into straight lines with sweeping bends to the termination point. But since this is a rental, I wouldnt bother!
pattenp
Well-known member
#8 Cu on 40A breaker.