Power to new barn

[Propane]

Need advice on UG wire size most economical and correct way to connect to 200A house panel to feeder, barn will have 100A panel.

250'-270' from house to barn.
I will be wiring barn and trenching UG wire just don't know what i need to connect to house. House panel is a GE TM2020C

 

[wyliesdiesels]

U will need 4-wire cable either 3/0 AL or 1/0 cu

 

[Propane]

Thanks for the reply, was suggested to use 2-2-2-4 URD,would USE MHF 2-2-2-4 be ok also?

 

[msgross]

Before all of the bickering begins, always seems to happen... Code this vs code that...

I'll tell you what i've learned from the guys on here. I'm no expert though. Find an online calculator to determine voltage drop with the wire that you pick. I am using 2-2-2-4 MHF but my run is under 200ft total. I've been told that it won't do 100 amps, maybe 90 max. I only plan to add a 60 amp breaker anyways so that works for me. MHF can be direct buried but has to be in conduit in the house, SER can't be in conduit or direct buried so i've been told. My plan is to use SER in the house, splice in a junction box at the basement wall and run MHF in 2" conduit to the barn. Out there will be another 100 amp panel which will serve as a disconnect with other circuit breakers for my lights, compressor, outlets etc... At only $1.45 a foot at Home Depot this seems to be the cheapest route I could find. I'm also running a 1" gas line and 1" conduit for cable, internet and phone. Calculate what your "actual" max amperage needs to be since that will dictate the size wire and cost...

 

[pattenp]

First you need to know your anticipated power requirements (loads) at the barn to determine wire size. The #2 aluminum at 270 feet will handle a load up to around 50 amps and will have less than 4% voltage drop, 3% max is recommended. MHF can be run inside the structure if in conduit, Typically URD is not to be used inside of the structure because its insulation is not fire resistant rated. As said above SER is used inside or above ground, but cannot be used below ground. Also #2 aluminun is to be over current protected to no more than 90 amps @ 75 deg C when used as a branch feeder.

Caveat: There is some cable listed as URD that has insulation ratings of RHH/RHW which allow it to be used inside. Be aware when purchasing wire as to its allowed use.


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[wyliesdiesels]

Before all of the bickering begins, always seems to happen... Code this vs code that...

I'll tell you what i've learned from the guys on here. I'm no expert though. Find an online calculator to determine voltage drop with the wire that you pick. I am using 2-2-2-4 MHF but my run is under 200ft total. I've been told that it won't do 100 amps, maybe 90 max. I only plan to add a 60 amp breaker anyways so that works for me. MHF can be direct buried but has to be in conduit in the house, SER can't be in conduit or direct buried so i've been told. My plan is to use SER in the house, splice in a junction box at the basement wall and run MHF in 2" conduit to the barn. Out there will be another 100 amp panel which will serve as a disconnect with other circuit breakers for my lights, compressor, outlets etc... At only $1.45 a foot at Home Depot this seems to be the cheapest route I could find. I'm also running a 1" gas line and 1" conduit for cable, internet and phone. Calculate what your "actual" max amperage needs to be since that will dictate the size wire and cost...

That is true. As pattenp said, #2 AL has a max ampacity of 90a when used as a branch feeder.

SER can be run in conduit inside and outside ABOVE GROUND ONLY. However Theres not much point in using conduit as it has an outer jacket.