Feed two new buildings

[Theodore02]

Hi, I have a question I hope someone can help me with.I'll lay out what I've got first. I have two new 20 X 25 buildings in my back yard that I need to feed power. I have a GE breaker panel outside on the wall of my house below my meter that has double breakers that feed power to my central heat/air unit and to my house. a 50 amp breaker for heat strip, a 40 amp breaker for unit, a 100 amp for breaker panel in house and a 30 amp breaker that I'm not sure about( I haven't checked to see what the 30 amp powers).This panel is not accessible to new buildings due to paved drive. In the house is an old Federal Pacific breaker panel with no main breaker that has a 50 amp double breaker, 10 ea. 20 amp breakers, and 2 ea. 30 amp breakers.
New building "A" will have lights, 5 110V outlets, and 1 220V outlet for window heat/air unit. Building "B" will have lights, 5 110V outlets, and 1 220V outlet for window heat/air unit. Building B will be used as a shop and will over time have shop equipment installed, such as drill press, bench grinder, air compressor, etc. I plan to upgrade my house breaker box regardless of how I power the buildings. I've heard some bad things about the Federal Pacific Stab-Lok panels and would feel better with an upgraded house panel. With all that said and with cost in mind would I be better off A) Upgrade my home breaker panel with new 100 amp panel and feed new buildings from this panel. B) Upgrade my service to 200 amp, install 200 amp breaker panel in home, and feed new buildings from this panel. C) Upgrade my home breaker panel with new 100 amp panel and have electric company install new service to feed buildings. Thanks for any help or info.

 

[mike93lx]

Breaker counts don't matter, its all about what's hooked up to them.

It sounds like you may already have 200a service, just with a 100a feed to the house.

Adding a separate feed to outbuildings often means paying higher rates and monthly minimums, which can add up. I'd recommend staying on a single service and feeding from the house.

To keep things simple, maybe consider running one feed from the house to shop 1, then feeding shop 2 off that panel. I bet a 60a line would cover both shops.

I think you need to get an electrician out to get pricing on options. Then consider from there

 

[PCustoms]

Hi, I have a question I hope someone can help me with.I'll lay out what I've got first. I have two new 20 X 25 buildings in my back yard that I need to feed power. I have a GE breaker panel outside on the wall of my house below my meter that has double breakers that feed power to my central heat/air unit and to my house. a 50 amp breaker for heat strip, a 40 amp breaker for unit, a 100 amp for breaker panel in house and a 30 amp breaker that I'm not sure about( I haven't checked to see what the 30 amp powers).This panel is not accessible to new buildings due to paved drive. In the house is an old Federal Pacific breaker panel with no main breaker that has a 50 amp double breaker, 10 ea. 20 amp breakers, and 2 ea. 30 amp breakers.
New building "A" will have lights, 5 110V outlets, and 1 220V outlet for window heat/air unit. Building "B" will have lights, 5 110V outlets, and 1 220V outlet for window heat/air unit. Building B will be used as a shop and will over time have shop equipment installed, such as drill press, bench grinder, air compressor, etc. I plan to upgrade my house breaker box regardless of how I power the buildings. I've heard some bad things about the Federal Pacific Stab-Lok panels and would feel better with an upgraded house panel. With all that said and with cost in mind would I be better off A) Upgrade my home breaker panel with new 100 amp panel and feed new buildings from this panel. B) Upgrade my service to 200 amp, install 200 amp breaker panel in home, and feed new buildings from this panel. C) Upgrade my home breaker panel with new 100 amp panel and have electric company install new service to feed buildings. Thanks for any help or info.

Please post a few pictures of the meter and GE panel, with the door open, to start

 

[dave*99]

Since you are new to GJ, I'll try to list likely questions from the group:

A plot plan of your building locations and separation would be helpful.
Maybe some indication of your preferred routes for the underground cables.
What state are you in?
Underground or overhead distribution from the POCO?
Photos of every and anything related are powerful.

*Someone will be along soon to mention 120V and 240V is the standard in USA.*