dontee
Member
Building a new 30x40 metal bldg about 25ft from house main panel how much difference is the cost to run a 200 amp line to bldg vs 100 amp. Is bigger better?
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New electric panel
- Thread starter dontee
- Start date
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Bigger is better for the place you buy your gear from.Building a new 30x40 metal bldg about 25ft from house main panel how much difference is the cost to run a 200 amp line to bldg vs 100 amp. Is bigger better?
Once you cover your needs, more does nothing for you.
In a one man shop, 100a almost always covers it.
Any huge equipment or a need for two people to do stuff like welding?
Thanks for answer. Having a electrican do the work, and want some idea of cost before hand. Shop will have welders and compressors plus other equipment. For now just wondering about difference in cost to run a 200 line vs 100 line. Panels and outlets and other stuff will come at a later date.
Thanks for answer. I know panel and other stuff cost wise will increase. I would rather go bigger in the beginning then have to add later. I have been offered a choice between running from house panel or putting in a new electrical service not sure which way to go any suggestions?
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
New service will cost you a monthly service fee (figure about 25 bucks) plus power. And many pocos won't do a second residential service, so it could mean commercial rates.
Just feed from the house
If you were in need of a service upgrade, you could land rhe service at rhe shop and make the house a sub
Just feed from the house
If you were in need of a service upgrade, you could land rhe service at rhe shop and make the house a sub
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The panel is no more expensive and even if you were doing 100a, I'd put in a much bigger 200a panel. So it's really just wire and conduit, but keeping in mind that you need a way to tie that wire in at the house. If your main panel can't feed wire that large, you may have to put in a new meter pan or a disconnect between the meter and panel, which would make the house a sub (assuming it isn't already) and triggering some additional work.
A really common approach is #2 aluminum mobile home feeder cable, which would give you a 90a service. It's easy to hook up and cheap
A really common approach is #2 aluminum mobile home feeder cable, which would give you a 90a service. It's easy to hook up and cheap
I figured I go with the 200a line and the bigger panel. As far as the rest goes I'll leave that up to the electrician. As I'm sure you can tell I'm not an electrician, the only real thing I know about electricity is that if you screw up it hurts. I'm just trying to get some general knowledge about what I need and the cost in general so as not to get overcharged too badly, as in this area it's done quite frequently. A little knowledge can really help. Thanks for the info you sent.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Good luckI figured I go with the 200a line and the bigger panel. As far as the rest goes I'll leave that up to the electrician. As I'm sure you can tell I'm not an electrician, the only real thing I know about electricity is that if you screw up it hurts. I'm just trying to get some general knowledge about what I need and the cost in general so as not to get overcharged too badly, as in this area it's done quite frequently. A little knowledge can really help. Thanks for the info you sent.
75gmck25
Well-known member
A very common solution is to use 2-2-2-4 AL Mobile Home Feeder (MHF), which can handle 90 amps. It's readily available for a reasonable price, and is usually dual rated so it can be used both inside and outside if you use conduit. Trench in 2" conduit and make sure you have pull boxes and long sweeps on both ends so that you can go right from panel to panel.
Moving to copper will cost more (and allow higher amperage), and using copper for a 200 amp feeder will be a lot more. That's one reason it's good to get an idea of what you really expect to need.
Moving to copper will cost more (and allow higher amperage), and using copper for a 200 amp feeder will be a lot more. That's one reason it's good to get an idea of what you really expect to need.
Jim greengo
Well-known member
Exactly.The big question is what kind of panel are you getting power from in your house?
Getting a 200 amp feeder out of a residential panel can be a challenge.