Electrical ignorant

[DZLFREK]

As some of you know I am building my home and plan on having a 29x42 ft garage. At some point I wish to have a barn about 40x60. I called our local electrical supplier and he asked a question I haven't thought about; what amps do you want...200, 300, 400? I don't have a clue. I guessed 300, but is this sufficient or should I go higher? Should I go lower? Any help is greatly appreciated.

David

 

[larry_g]

I just installed a mfg home and a shop. I ended up with a 400A panel that has two 200a main breakers in it plus space for 8-10 breakers in the panel. One 200A main feeds the house and one feeds the shop. I have the well pump wired directly to the panel and two 120v circuits for power outside and it was construction power during the build. Once I settled on the 400A panel then I had a couple of go-arounds with the power company to justify the power usage and the size of line they would pull into the panel.

The question you need to answer is whether your house is electric heat and air, and what will you be doing in the shop/garage. Do you have a large electrical load there or just power for lights and the beer fridge?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[mrb]

some (many) power companies will want load calcs for anything over 200 amps to show you need it.

 

[johno]

Unless you are running some kind of huge shop with multi machines runnig at the same time, 200A is MORE than sufficient. I would think 150 A would be plenty. There must be an amp/sq. ft rule by code, and I have no idea what that may be there, you'll need to check that.

However you want to err on the large side not the small, all labor is the same, only dif in cost is main cable , panel, and main breaker, and only the cable is a big difference..

Are you planning elct heat? That will make a big difference.

 

[mrb]

Unless you are running some kind of huge shop with multi machines runnig at the same time, 200A is MORE than sufficient. I would think 150 A would be plenty. There must be an amp/sq. ft rule by code, and I have no idea what that may be there, you'll need to check that.

However you want to err on the large side not the small, all labor is the same, only dif in cost is main cable , panel, and main breaker, and only the cable is a big difference..

Are you planning elct heat? That will make a big difference.

blind guesses dont help anyone. The OP hasnt stated how large the proposed home is, or if it has electric heat. If he has a whole house electric instant water heater for example that will put him over a 200 amp service right there.

As far as only difference in cost -its not just material. the POCO will charge quite a bit more for the 400a service, and may require stamped engineered plans with load calcs for it.

 

[johno]

blind guesses dont help anyone. The OP hasnt stated how large the proposed home is, or if it has electric heat. If he has a whole house electric instant water heater for example that will put him over a 200 amp service right there.

As far as only difference in cost -its not just material. the POCO will charge quite a bit more for the 400a service, and may require stamped engineered plans with load calcs for it.

I was talking about the shop/barn service only.

 

[mrb]

I was talking about the shop/barn service only.

ah ok sorry. It appeared the OP was talking about the service to the entire project consisting of a new house, garage, and future barn.