Max amp size to shed?

[Bert_]

The NEC says I need a 4 wire feeder. If I run 3 wires people claim it's unsafe.

If I have the utility run a service with a separate meter to the same building they will run 3 wires. And there is no safety issue.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

The NEC says I need a 4 wire feeder. If I run 3 wires people claim it's unsafe.

If I have the utility run a service with a separate meter to the same building they will run 3 wires. And there is no safety issue.

tell me you dont understand neutral currents running on unintended pathways without telling me....

 

[Bert_]

tell me you dont understand neutral currents running on unintended pathways without telling me....

I get the reason. Honestly it's less of an issue than it used to be. Most piping is plastic and copper communication lines aren't used as much.

I just don't agree that it's ok for one entity but not ok for another. If it was a big safety issue then all services would need a separate ground

 

[428PI]

for what?

The ground wire is attached to the neutral cable at the top of pole.

 

[428PI]

Called my niece in law's dad who does electrical to see if he was interested and he said he didn't have a bucket truck. Called a local electrical service and an older gentleman came out that afternoon and looked it over. Said they would do it on ladders. Said they'd run a 3 wire to 100 amp box in my shed. Said it might take 2 months (I said ok the electrical is still working and the concrete won't be done for 2 months anyone). Haven't heard in estimate in almost a week now. Waiting for estimate on framing in the garage door and haven't heard peep from him either. I wonder if the estimators put off giving estimates so the owner doesn't go about getting another estimate? I have heard of people complaining about not getting help to do things and I've run into the same problem with the people complaining. The fact is that everyone only wants to do what's the most profitable to them and easiest. Sometimes you just gotta do the task yourself.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Called my niece in law's dad who does electrical to see if he was interested and he said he didn't have a bucket truck. Called a local electrical service and an older gentleman came out that afternoon and looked it over. Said they would do it on ladders. Said they'd run a 3 wire to 100 amp box in my shed. Said it might take 2 months (I said ok the electrical is still working and the concrete won't be done for 2 months anyone). Haven't heard in estimate in almost a week now. Waiting for estimate on framing in the garage door and haven't heard peep from him either. I wonder if the estimators put off giving estimates so the owner doesn't go about getting another estimate? I have heard of people complaining about not getting help to do things and I've run into the same problem with the people complaining. The fact is that everyone only wants to do what's the most profitable to them and easiest. Sometimes you just gotta do the task yourself.

So theyre running a 3-wire feed off a disconnect at the pole?

 

[428PI]

So theyre running a 3-wire feed off a disconnect at the pole?

Act like it's no big deal. I also asked why there was ground at the shop and at the shed and he said most likely because of lightning. The thought was that the buildings needed to be grounded (in particular the steel shed) because of lightning. Like I said there is no inspection done at the county level for any codes.

 

[Norcal]

It's quite simple to have a 4-wire OH feed, use AL quadplex instead of triplex & use the bare aluminum messenger wire as the EGC.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Whether you have inspections or not you need to have a 4 wire feeder downstream of the first disconnect.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Act like it's no big deal. I also asked why there was ground at the shop and at the shed and he said most likely because of lightning. The thought was that the buildings needed to be grounded (in particular the steel shed) because of lightning. Like I said there is no inspection done at the county level for any codes.

grounding electrodes are for lightning yes. and those are a different animal than an EGC- equipment grounding conductor, from the source panel..... both are required.

you should get a different electrician. this one doesnt know what hes doing.

 

[dave*99]

Sounds like yer on that old version of da code that says if the lights be lightin up it mus be werkin rite.