Power Feed tp Barn

[Cb-man]

Ok.... I know this has been covered a lot.
But between talking to my friend how is a Lineman for the power company and talking to our electrician at work and staring at wires in Lowes I am still confused.

My dad is coming over Saturday to help trench 120 ft to my barn and we are laying 2 in conduit.

So for I get we are going to run a 100 disconnect at the house tapped into the meter base.

So what wire do I need from the meter to the disconnect and then from the disconnect to the barn??

I like the idea of copper but my lineman friend says go Aluminum. He said they are replacing everything with aluminum now days.


Lowes sells what they call Mobile Home Service cable, its 2-2-2-4 Aluminum,
Would this work?


Also for future reference. I want to build another shop.
is there a special meter base that allows for multiple taps??

I can imagine it will be tough to cram 3 service wires in the meter lug.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Lowes sells what they call Mobile Home Service cable, its 2-2-2-4 Aluminum, ...

MHF is by far the cheapest solution and dose NOT required conduit under ground (it does require conduit above ground and in buildings) but at your distance you would be limted to a 60 breaker/fuse at your disconnect.

To get to 100A, you would need 2/0-2/0-2/0-2/0-1. I don't know if Lowes or HD stocks this.

Also for future reference. I want to build another shop.
is there a special meter base that allows for multiple taps??

You would probably have to use a "Combination Service Entrance Device". Basically a load center with a meter socket built in. Not cheap.

 

[Cb-man]

Thanks for the reply.

So I can use the MHF with a 60 amp breaker/disconnect then 100 amp panel in the barn. I probably wont draw more than 60 amps at a time.

How expensive is the "Combination Service Entrance Device"?

like $500 expensive or over a grand?

If I build a shop I want to get a lot done any way. Under ground service drop from road and some good way to run power to 2 shops.

possibly upgrade the service coming to the house if needed since I have a 200 amp panel in the house and will have 100 amp in the barn then I will put another 200 amp panel in the new shop

 

[pattenp]

MHF is by far the cheapest solution and dose NOT required conduit under ground (it does require conduit above ground and in buildings) but at your distance you would be limted to a 60 breaker/fuse at your disconnect.

To get to 100A, you would need 2/0-2/0-2/0-2/0-1. I don't know if Lowes or HD stocks this.



You would probably have to use a "Combination Service Entrance Device". Basically a load center with a meter socket built in. Not cheap.

Why are you saying only 60A? At 120 feet he can do up to the full 90A that's allowed on #2 Al.

 

[Cb-man]

Anyone have pictures of a combination service entrance??

or a main breaker panel after the meter feeding the house and 2 garages?

 

[Aceman]

https://www.platt.com/platt-electri...s/Eaton/CG1212P400BS/product.aspx?zpid=495471