Pole Barn Power Requirements

[D. Patina]

Folks,

I've received estimates and had the county engineers design the plan for power to the Pole Barn. County estimated that I would need 100 amp service from an existing power pole. Will be an aerial connection of about 75 feet.

Local Electrician said I would be better off with 200 amp service from the same aerial pole.

The 30 X 36 X 12 pole barn is for auto restoration and general hobby work. I would like ample power with room to grow if needed. Here is what I plan to run.

1. A least 15 overhead t8 fluorescent lights.

2. A 33 gallon air compressor, later a stanionary 60+ gallon compressors.

3. Lincoln MIG welder, with future TIG Welder

4. Full size blast cabnit with dust collector.

5. Ceiling fans X 4

6. Future 2 post lift.

7. Approx 16 110 outlets and 2 240 outlets. Drill press, bench grinder etc.

8. Outside security lights.

9. No heat needed in Florida, but future Split system AC unit. Not sure of size since it will be several years before I can afford or consider AC to the barn.

Future plans beyond what is listed may be an attached paint booth, covered lighted car port. Possibly a 12 X 24 workshop branched off the barn.

Thanks for the help.

 

[raddksn]

go for 200 amp! you will not be sorry!!!

 

[shillamus]

go for 200 amp! you rill not be sorry!!!

agreed.. it shouldn;t cost that much more.. wire cost may double but it is a short run

 

[rburke65]

I second the vote for the 200 amp. Ya don't want to do this again.

 

[sberry]

100 will serve the demand and is ideal if it is fed from an existing service. If it is a new service there is no reason not to do 200,

 

[Aceman]

Local Electrician said I would be better off with 200 amp service from the same aerial pole.

I'm also an electrician and I agree with that. Since this is an overhead service being built from scratch, the upgrade cost would be minimal to do it right from the start.

 

[astroracer]

Agree with the rest of the guys, jump on the 200 if the price isn't stupid.
I feed my shop with 100 amps from the house and I have all of the stuff you are looking at plus 2 lathes, a small mill, furnace and a big two stage 7.5 horse air compressor and have no issues with power. A one or two man shop will never draw enough power at one time to pop a 100 amp breaker.
Mark

 

[lakeroadster]

Based on your speculated power requirements, 200 amp is a wise choice.

 

[matt_i]

I would also go with 200A service. If the power company is protesting, show them the spec page from a Miller Syncrowave 350LX Tig welding machine you intend to acquire showing input amps...IIRC >100.

 

[oldiemotors]

100 amp is fine...as long as your compressor doesn't kick on while you're welding and the AC is running. But maybe you could just turn off half the lights before you start. Or, go with the 200 service.

 

[TheEquineFencer]

Folks,

I've received estimates and had the county engineers design the plan for power to the Pole Barn. County estimated that I would need 100 amp service from an existing power pole. Will be an aerial connection of about 75 feet.

Local Electrician said I would be better off with 200 amp service from the same aerial pole.

The 30 X 36 X 12 pole barn is for auto restoration and general hobby work. I would like ample power with room to grow if needed. Here is what I plan to run.

1. A least 15 overhead t8 fluorescent lights.

2. A 33 gallon air compressor, later a stanionary 60+ gallon compressors.

3. Lincoln MIG welder, with future TIG Welder

4. Full size blast cabnit with dust collector.

5. Ceiling fans X 4

6. Future 2 post lift.

7. Approx 16 110 outlets and 2 240 outlets. Drill press, bench grinder etc.

8. Outside security lights.

9. No heat needed in Florida, but future Split system AC unit. Not sure of size since it will be several years before I can afford or consider AC to the barn.

Future plans beyond what is listed may be an attached paint booth, covered lighted car port. Possibly a 12 X 24 workshop branched off the barn.

Thanks for the help.

"engineers" They didn't build the ark..an amatuer did. I'd go with the 200A panel, that's what I did.

 

[theoldwizard1]

100 will serve the demand and is ideal if it is fed from an existing service.

Concur ! If this is a "one man" operation, you could probably get away with 60A. 100A will give you plenty of head room.

 

[Thumper68]

Concur ! If this is a "one man" operation, you could probably get away with 60A. 100A will give you plenty of head room.

Sorry I have to disagree, I have blown a 200 amp main in my old shop, and I was the only one in there.

Dryer
5hp Compressor
Oven
lights
task lights
welder

all going at once and I bumped the garage door opener remote in my pocket and **** all the power went out.

To the OP
Since this is all new then go 200 you won't regret it, you can consider it future proofing, who knows you might have to add a charging station for 1 or more cars.

At 200 amps you will never be in the dark.....

 

[sberry]

Only 200 I ever seen overload was in a tavern. I ran a year from 100A, at one point had 2 dozen people living on it, welder, air comp, pressure wash, plasma cutter and ran a welding shop from it for a winter along with a 3 hp well from that service. I have seen several 60A fuses overloaded when they went to all electric appliances.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Dryer
5hp Compressor
Oven
lights
task lights
welder

Not many people would have both a dryer and an oven in a garage/shop and have them both running at the same time !

A mini-split would be about the same load as a dryer.

 

[rburke65]

See....this is why ya just do the 200.