Full panel

[chipper]

My brother in law just bought a new house and ha a full panel and is planning on building a pole barn for his woodworking...the home inspector said the best route is to have a separate meter since this would possibly for income..is there a better way? Me being a novice in elctrical wants to know can you move two rooms/breakers to one? Thanks for any replies

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

It depends on what brand/size of panel it is.

 

[ard]

There are some panels were you can but in double breakers (two circuits in the same size as a full breaker) Two of those and you have the two spaces you need for a sub to the polebarn.

Lots of options before you are setting a second meter.

Where is the current panel? whats around it? Finished in a wall? Open in the garage/basement?

 

[chipper]

There are some panels were you can but in double breakers (two circuits in the same size as a full breaker) Two of those and you have the two spaces you need for a sub to the polebarn.

Lots of options before you are setting a second meter.

Where is the current panel? whats around it? Finished in a wall? Open in the garage/basement?

It is in the laundry room,finished wall but he's not shy about opening walls he's got the kitchen gutted right now

 

[Mustang51js]

You can combine a few circuits also if you can't find any tandem breakers for the panel he has. What size is the panel now and how many spaces,could be a older panel that doesn't have many open spaces.

 

[acer66]

With out knowing a lot about the situation, if there is really no room for more breakers and replacing the panel is to expensive or not possible he could run the kitchen of a sub panel since it seems he is doing major work there anyway and kitchen need a lot of breakers.

That should free up some space in the main panel.

 

[chipper]

Thanks i would take a picture but the house is an hour away however i will see him tonight at a wedding and give him these ideas

 

[Jagmandave]

Once again, not nearly enough info to make informed suggestions - we don't know anything about the size of the service for the house either, could be a 60 amp panel. Is he going to have heat and A/C in the shop? Does he need 240V? 3 phase? All those decisions and more affect the panel decision.....

I think he should run a separate meter if he's building a woodworking shop and it's going to be commercial, both for power usage reasons and tax reasons.

Woodworking shops need a lot of outlets and breakers, usually....

A lot also depends on whether he'll have employees or is a one man show, too.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Need more info:

Brand of panel?
Load requirements in barn?
One man show or full operation?

Etc etc

 

[theoldwizard1]

My brother in law just bought a new house and ha a full panel and is planning on building a pole barn for his woodworking...the home inspector said the best route is to have a separate meter since this would possibly for income..is there a better way?

Better check with the POCO about separate meters. They have a minimum monthly charge and if it is for a company then you get (typically) more expensive rates.

First, what size is the feed to the house and what size is the current panel ? Modern houses typically are 200A, but older houses could be 100-150A. Check the main breaker.

Second, how much current will he need in the barn ? 60A is usually plenty for any 1 man operation either woodworking or metal working.

Third, how old is the panel in the house and are tandem breakers available. The least expensive solution is buy a couple of tandem breakers. This will free up 2 slots for a the pole barn.

Last, you can always upgrade the panel in the house to one with more slots, although this may require a larger feed from the POCO.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Woodworking shops need a lot of outlets and breakers, usually....

Outlets, yes. Lots of breakers ? Only if he has a lot of 240V tools.

 

[chipper]

I appreciate the help and understand i dont have all the info...i do know that its 100 amp panel no slots left..tandem is unknown and he will be a one man show and no heat/ac.

 

[woodzy]

How far from the house to the pole barn? The 2nd meter is an option, but with the 2nd meter will come additional costs? Usually the 2nd meter has a larger monthly fee just for having the meter, then the rate on the 2nd meter is usually more than the first.

If the pole barn is close and he plans to live there a long time, I vote for either a larger service and then feed the pole barn or possible of finding tandem breakers to free up two spots and send service to pole barn.

 

[JRC3]

Here you pay a business rate for a second meter even if it's residential. They must be concerned that people may eventually start a business or sell or rent the property to someone else who will. Check with the power provider as this may make the decision on what to do a little easier.

At some point it wasn't this way and homes with two meters where grandfathered.