Detached Garage Power

[bucsfan714]

Hello All,

Getting ready to run power to my garage. Here is a pic of the meter pole for my house. I intend to run a moblie home feeder to the garage.

What is the recommended way to connect to the meter power? Thanks in advance.

 

[pattenp]

Just add a DP breaker in the panel pictured to feed the MHF. If using 2-2-2-4 MHF the breaker can be up to 90A.



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[bucsfan714]

Would it be a breaker like the one feeding the house? Recommendation on amps? I believe a 100 amp sub panel is what I need for the garage side.

 

[pattenp]

It will be a double pole breaker like the 20A that's already in the panel. It doesn't matter if the sub panel is 100A. The breaker in the pole box is what protects the MHF to the sub panel. The 100A main breaker in the sub panel becomes just a disconnect.

Depending on the power you need you can use a 60A, 70A, 80A, or 90A breaker. The 60A is the cheapest and most common size.

How far is it from the pole box to the garage?



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[bucsfan714]

actual wire run length is about 35 ft.

I guess the part I'm missing is how the large ends of the MHF will connect to a statdard breaker.

 

[pattenp]

A 60A will take up to #2. I have 2-2-2-4 MHF running to my garage and it's on a 60A breaker.

What size MHF are you looking to use?

 

[bucsfan714]

same, I didn't think even that would fit. Sounds good to me!

how much load are you using? Typical lights, (not sure what or how many) 220v compressor, ovh door opener(s), fridge, radio, etc is what I plan.

 

[pattenp]

My detached is used as a wood shop so I have overhead lights, dust collector, table saw, 5000W elect heater, and a bunch of other power tools. The most that's on at one time is the table saw, dust collector, lights, heater or window AC, TV. Never has a problem with 60A. If I do I can always push the breaker up to a larger size. My attached garage has 60A to it and it houses a 2 post lift, compressor, welder, plasma cutter, freezer and other minor power consuming tools. Never have any power problems there either. My power use is limited to just me so not too much running at the same time..

 

[bucsfan714]

Thanks Man! Sounds like a 60amp will cover me just fine. Did you have any pics of your mhf connections?

 

[pattenp]

Main panel, bottom 2 big set of wires on left and right is #2SER to MHF and #2SER to garages. I transition to MHF via a junction box under the house. Then out to the detached shop using MHF.
View media item 14781
Sub panel in detached shop.
View media item 14783

 

[bucsfan714]

Is it only a 3 conductor?

 

[pattenp]

It's 4 conductors, 2 hots, neutral and ground. 2-2-2-4.
The neutral and ground land on the same bar in your service panel, but are isolated from each other in the sub panel. In other words the neutral bar in the sub panel is not bonded to the case or ground bar. Most likely you will need to buy a ground bar kit for the sub panel.

Is it only a 3 conductor?

 

[bucsfan714]

Just found that same info on the web, Lol

Thanks Again!

 

[RandyPenn]

My attached garage has 60A to it and it houses a 2 post lift, compressor, welder, plasma cutter, freezer and other minor power consuming tools. Never have any power problems there either. My power use is limited to just me so not too much running at the same time..

Just curious. Why run a separate breaker box for the attached garage? Why not just run everything from your main panel?

Thanks
Randy

 

[teamextreme]

Just curious. Why run a separate breaker box for the attached garage? Why not just run everything from your main panel?

Thanks
Randy

Did you see how full his main panel is?

 

[pattenp]

Main panel was fairly full and plus the attached garage was an addition.
This is my attached garage panel ......
View media item 15914

Just curious. Why run a separate breaker box for the attached garage? Why not just run everything from your main panel?

Thanks
Randy

 

[bucsfan714]

Another question, since I haven't seen it yet. Should I drive any ground rods at the new garage?

 

[pattenp]

Yes. You should drive 2 rods at least 6 feet apart.

Another question, since I haven't seen it yet. Should I drive any ground rods at the new garage?

 

[C96]

This is my attached garage panel ......
View media item 15914

I have never seen anyone put the two screw connectors inside out like this. Sorry, but just looks *** backwards.
Why are the screw clamps inside the box as opposed to being on the outside as they are intended to be?
Just curious I guess

 

[brewchief]

I have never seen anyone put the two screw connectors inside out like this. Sorry, but just looks *** backwards.
Why are the screw clamps inside the box as opposed to being on the outside as they are intended to be?
Just curious I guess

I've done it when I had to fish a wire to the panel, maybe he installed the panel in an already drywalled garage.

 

[C96]

If that’s the case, why not just put the connectors on the Romex first, then pull them through and install the locknut like it’s normally done.

 

[pattenp]

The wall was already finished with drywall. Makes it easier to get the panel in and put the clamps in from the inside after the wire was pulled into the panel. There is a normal way but not an intended way.

I have never seen anyone put the two screw connectors inside out like this. Sorry, but just looks *** backwards.
Why are the screw clamps inside the box as opposed to being on the outside as they are intended to be?
Just curious I guess

 

[pattenp]

I could have done that, but I found it was less fiddly to use NM two piece connectors and insert them from the inside.

Edit: Plus I already had a big bag of the two piece NM connectors.

If that’s the case, why not just put the connectors on the Romex first, then pull them through and install the locknut like it’s normally done.

 

[C96]

Thanks pattenp, just never seen it actually done that way. Did you get an inspection with the connectors installed as such? I’m assuming no, since drywall was up prior to panel installation.

Just would think that would raise an objection from the AHJ.

By the way, clean job for a cut-in

 

[pattenp]

It was inspected and there was no comment about the clamps. The inspector knew the the construction was existing with the wall being enclosed. No NEC issues with the install. The garage was an addition with very few circuits. I did the sub-panel a few years after the garage was added.

 

[rixtrix1]

I've done it when I had to fish a wire to the panel, maybe he installed the panel in an already drywalled garage.

I wish I had thought about doing it this way when I re-wired the subpanel in my garage, instead of butchering the drywall and 2x4 blocking around the flush mounted box! Don't know if it's code legal but it seems ingenious at this time.

 

[Lateeka]

Handyman Cincinnati

The neutral and ground land on the same bar in your service panel, but are isolated from each other in the sub panel. In other words the neutral bar in the sub panel is not bonded to the case or ground bar. Most likely you will need to buy a ground bar kit for the sub panel.I really impressed to read this blog..I really glad visit on this site..Thanks for sharing this site..

 

[bucsfan714]

Update...

We have power in the garage! All the outlets are in and hot, piping for the overhead lights are in and wire pulled. Getting there.

Thanks for the help!