Looking for some electrical help and advice

[240addiction]

I am running a 200 amp service from a meter pedestal (freshly installed for the shop) to the shop about 155' away. I planned for 200 amp service the entire time. I know it is way overkill for my current plans for the shop but I would only like to run this once. I have the trench dug about 3.5' (I understand overkill) but I have plans to run other electrical around the shop in conduit underground to avoid running it around the shop in the wall.

I had an electrician lined up to come and walk me through some of this stuff and he made some recommendations on the phone. He is not available right now and I need to get the conduit in and inspected so I can get some of the other work done. I am in Douglas county Colorado and they use NEC 2014. I plan to install a 200 amp breaker at the pedestal then go to the outside of the shop have a disconnect then straight into the back of the panel inside. Based on my reading it looks like I could use 2" schedule 40 conduit until the bends where I bought schedule 80 long radius elbows to the meter pedestal and disconnect on the outside of shop. I also bought expansion joints to use as it comes up just above ground level. It looks like others recommend 2.5" or larger due to ease of pulling it. Based on my reading it looks like I should be using MCM250 AL XHHW wiring not 4/0-4/0-2/0-4 AL wire to meet my 200amp requirement. I do plan to run an extra conduit because why not while I have a trench open.

So to my questions. Should I get 3" or 2.5" instead of 2" is schedule 40? the cost difference is huge to go to 3" so if I can use 2" I would prefer that. Is schedule 40 the correct schedule should I be using schedule 80 instead? Again decent price increase.
Do I really need to run the MCM250 over 4/0?

Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[Aceman]

Should I get 3" or 2.5" instead of 2" is schedule 40?

It will fit in 2" but it's a hard pull without the proper equipment. 2.5" is perfect. 3" is overkill and unnecessary.

Is schedule 40 the correct schedule should I be using schedule 80 instead?

We always use sch. 40 over here, but I don't know if your soil conditions are different and require sch. 80 over there? Rocky ground??

Do I really need to run the MCM250 over 4/0?

4/0 AL is good for 180 amps.
250 AL is good for 205 amps.

4/0 AL can be used for a 200 amp feeder as long as the calculated load is 180 amps or less.

 

[240addiction]

Thanks for the response and advice. I am trying to find 2.5" locally today but not having a lot of luck. It's only another $100 for the 3" so I'm considering just getting that so I can finish it up. I can't find schedule 80 expansion sleeves only 40. Should I just proceed with 40 then 80 then the expansion sleeve at the meter/pedestal. I can't find a 90 either, but can get 45's see any issues with that?

The soil is pretty sandy so I think I am good there

 

[Aceman]

Thanks for the response and advice. I am trying to find 2.5" locally today but not having a lot of luck. It's only another $100 for the 3" so I'm considering just getting that so I can finish it up. I can't find schedule 80 expansion sleeves only 40. Should I just proceed with 40 then 80 then the expansion sleeve at the meter/pedestal. I can't find a 90 either, but can get 45's see any issues with that?

The soil is pretty sandy so I think I am good there

Verify the loadcenters you're using will accept 3" before you go that route. Many will only take a 2.5". Then you looking for reducers or swedge couplings to reduce 3" to 2.5" at the loadcenter. And if you are having a hard time finding 2.5" conduit(it's very common) then you will have a heck of a time finding reducers or swedge couplings most likely.

Around here we use sch. 40 for almost everything. We only use 80 for the vertical stubups out of the ground if they are likely to get damaged, hit by the mower, etc. We do not buy sch. 80 90's or 45's, etc because we come out of the ground straight up into whatever we are feeding. The 90's or 45's would be in the ground, so they would be sch.40. The only sch. 80 we buy is just the stick of conduit.

 

[240addiction]

sounds like I will need to wait to get 2.5" then. Thanks