Electrical Service Planning

[Jeff Scott]

Hi Folks,

I am planning a 40x80x16 pole building shop and a manufactured home on land I own. I'm just in the planning stages right now, but I'm trying to figure out how to power both structures. I would like 200 amps 1 phase power to the shop. I know I won't need that much initially, but I'm going to add a CNC plasma table along with my mig welder and other plasma cutter and lots of 230 volt woodworking machines.

The house has a 200 amp panel in it. We've got electrical service on the property line about 50 ft from where the shop will go and 135 ft from where the house will go. I'm going to go underground with the service feeders. So I've got a few questions:

1. Should I have separate meters/200 amp services on each building?
2. Should I bring 400 amp service in to the shop and split it off to the house in order to accommodate 2-200 amp services?
3. What other options am I not thinking about as far as the service entrances go?

I will hire this out to a professional, of course. I'm just trying to estimate cost depending on what options are available.

Thanks!

Jeff

 

[thewatusi]

Do a load calculation for everything you expect to have in the shop AND the house.

This will dictate the size of service you require. Have the main panel in whichever building is closer to the pole. Make the other building a subpanel

 

[woodzy]

You need to discuss this with the local electrical company. Sometimes they are very helpful.

My original plan was to have a drop into a 400 amp disconnect and then split it off at the pole to two 200 amp panels one in the shop and one in the house. That was when I thought the house was going to be about 100' apart from each other. When I finally built the house it was 320' apart so I had the electric company add another transformer to feed the house so now I have two transformers, and each building has a 200 amp service. Due to the distance between each it seemed to be the best choice.

One small issue is, there is a $20 charge a month for the extra meter / service but I looked at the cost to bury a large enough cable between the two to only have one service, it really didn't pay off.

 

[sberry]

Put a 400 on the shop and feed the house.

 

[NUTTSGT]

My garage being what it is or was, has a separate service than the house. I considered running from one to the other but decided not too. If the next owner decides to put a business back in the garage, it'll already have it's own meter.

The electric bill for the garage is considered by AEP as a small general service and I believe is a higher rate. My bill is routinely $40-45/month, give or take a few bucks. One added benefit of having the garage separate is that if we ever have a fire in the house and the meter is pulled (normal practice by the PoCo around here) I still have power on my property without having to fire up a generator or cord to the neighbors.

FWIW, I'd also recommend having matching brand/style of breaker boxes in the house and garage. Worst case scenario, you can rob a breaker from one to the other if you need one at a weird hour.

 

[michaelrc51]

I would go with option #2 but having 2 separate services also has lots of benefits.
I know, as mentioned above, you will pay more in fees with 2 services. But, going to a 400amp panel will also incur extra monthly fees.
The only big advantage of having a 400amp panel in your shop is the available power to run equipment which really depends what and how much equipment you are planning on.
Welders, plasma cutters, and air compressors use a lot of amperage so I would try and figure out what size panel will best suit your shop and then decide if you have enough left to put a 200amp panel for the house off of it.


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[Aceman]

Put a 400 on the shop and feed the house.

This is what I would try and do. This puts all the service equipment at the shop and keeps the house looking a little cleaner in my opinion. Depending on the layout I might recommend a 400 amp metermain with two 200 amp breakers. One to feed the house, one for the shop. Also, with a shop that size I'd probably recommend at LEAST one subpanel to get power closer to the loads.

The last thing you want to do is have to run circuits from the far end of the shop to the other just to get to the panel.

 

[Pwrgeek]

How are you planning to use the shop? Which panel will feed the major mechanical (well, septic, etc)? You may be able to get by with less than 200A at the house. I'd be suprised if you get to 200A combined between the two unless the house and shop are both all electric heat. 400A equipment is pricey.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

U should check with your PoCo first to see if u can even get 2 separate services...some allow it and some dont!

 

[Jeff Scott]

How are you planning to use the shop? Which panel will feed the major mechanical (well, septic, etc)? You may be able to get by with less than 200A at the house. I'd be suprised if you get to 200A combined between the two unless the house and shop are both all electric heat. 400A equipment is pricey.

Metal fab and welding on one end and a woodworking and cabinet making on the other. Quite a few 230v machines. The shop won't be heated by electric, but the house is all electric.

U should check with your PoCo first to see if u can even get 2 separate services...some allow it and some dont!

Thanks to all for replying to this thread. I will check with the power company on the costs associated with both a single 400 amp and two 200 amp services. Also discuss what they can provide at the pole that is on the property line near where the shop is going to be built. Not sure of the transformer rating there.

Thanks again for the help!

Jeff