Materials list?

[USAFpj]

This isn't for me, it's for a "friend"

How do I, I mean my friend, compile an accurate list of all the electrical materials that one needs to completely wire a new pole barn? Everything from running wire from the house, breaker box, light fixtures, outlets, etc...

I've seen the endless amounts of layouts that Platonic Solid has worked out for guys, but are there any lists already compiled that give an estimate of X amount of wire, X amount of outlets, needed for X sized building?

Thanks.

 

[sberry]

I will take a shot at this and say that yes and no. The formulas and patterns use are found in building codes for residential don't always fit ergonomics of garage. A list for underground may be different than overhead, meter bases could change, there are different routes for the same goal. The installer ends up being an interference fitter without highly specific pre engineering.
Sometimes its not important to know every detail. If you are doing your own work the numbers are higher than someone doing a spec house. You wont use 1/3 of the boxes you did buy and buy 1/3 more of one you changed your mind about. You will use an extra roll of wire on a common garage if you re doing it right. About 3 or 4 more breakers also.

 

[sberry]

You wont run out of amps but its super easy to run out of spaces dicking around and a ********* for adding on tools. Makes for adding compressor and welder without fugging around sharing etc.
I actually love the Homeline in this respect in that it has made it so cheap and easy that 8$ buys a double pole breaker, 4 for a single, a couple connectors, wire to a 69 cent outlet in a 50 cent box and you got dedicated tool circuit.
I got 20ft of wall between outlets in a couple places and 20 outlets in 10 ft in another vut most small garages somewhat similar to a kitchen layout. A kitchen has service for some parasitic and lights but also 2 general 20A circuits exclusive to appliance service.
In a small garage one end is doors so an easy layout would be a general circuit per wall with an extra on the bench end for parasitic.
If the entrance is well located it may save huge on secondary wiring. Its kind of difficult to program experience.

 

[LB-1911]

This isn't for me, it's for a "friend"

How do I, I mean my friend, compile an accurate list of all the electrical materials that one needs to completely wire a new pole barn? Everything from running wire from the house, breaker box, light fixtures, outlets, etc...

I've seen the endless amounts of layouts that Platonic Solid has worked out for guys, but are there any lists already compiled that give an estimate of X amount of wire, X amount of outlets, needed for X sized building?

Thanks.

Is this new pole barn 24 x 36 or 60 x 120 ? 50 ft from power or 500 ft?

For starters...

The standard Garage Journal solution is a 90/100 amp run of 2-2-2-4 aluminum mobile feed trenched in. You can run from the main or the sub. In the barn use a 100 amp panel with a main breaker.

A sampling of previous threads.

Basic Electrical install in 30 x 60 pole barn
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=287341

what type and size wire for pole barn
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=183630

Running electric to pole barn
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=4693664#post4693664

electricity to pole barn
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=284225

 

[sberry]

I can recite every piece in order to a counterman for a service install I am working on. Ha.

 

[bczygan]

You asked for accurate. Yet the method you want to use will not be. It can't be, because it isn't your particular layout.

There is one very accurate way.

Do a layout, a plan, with everything included, to scale, of your particular proposed build.

Then working from the plan, do a takeoff, using a spreadsheet, with every kind of item from wire nuts to conduit, listed. Be careful not to miss any kind of item and also be careful about the quantities and wire routings and distances. Allow for waste.

Then plug in pricing.

You have your total.

This is called a conceptual estimate. I recommend anyone who plans a project, to do one, to get accurate costs for the project. Combined with bids for labor, you should be able to get withing 1% accuracy. Note that this is only good for that one point in time. Costs are a moving target, always changing.

There is no easy path to accurate answers.

Bill

 

[USAFpj]

Thanks, guys. That's exactly the answer(s) I was looking for. Thankfully, I have a relative that has a lot of experience with this, and is itching more than me to get a nice set up completed.

I sure didn't want to bring nothing but my checkbook to the table on this project, so I appreciate the input.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I would start with the feeder and subpanel as one estimate.

Then do the estimate for the pole barn wiring.

It helps when u break things down.

What loads will there be in the pole barn?

 

[nadogail]

I guess that is something like estimating how many pancakes it will take to cover a doghouse.

Draw pictures, guesstimate, and then add 10%.

 

[rkevins]

One way I have used is to run it in my head (like service) thinking of the fitting, clamps and length/size of wire needed

 

[USAFpj]

Hmmmm- I'd be willing to bet that a lot more guys have wired a standard 30x50x14 pole barn/shop than the number of guys who have pancaked a dog house...

 

[bczygan]

Hmmmm- I'd be willing to bet that a lot more guys have wired a standard 30x50x14 pole barn/shop than the number of guys who have pancaked a dog house...

Hmmmmmm.....Pancaking a doghouse.

There must be an app for that.

Let me check...

Bill

 

[jhelrey]

Buy a ton of ****, use what is needed, return a ton of ****!

Haha!

 

[rburke65]

I really don't think that you....or I ....will be able to comprise a list of everything needed. Always forget something.