Question for the sparkies

[moparsandharleys]

Ok I am finishing the build on my new garage space of 27x50 and wiring to begin soon. My question is how big of service can I run off the panel at house to garage. And what size wire to support that? Pictures of existing house panel will be attached. This will be buried in conduit underground and total run will be less than 20 feet.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

No pics, but you can take as much off the panel as it is rated for. Some panels limit the size of breakers that can be installed, some panels have feed thru lug kits that allow you to run the power out, unbreakered except for the original main.

Charles

 

[moparsandharleys]

https://scontent-a-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10620707_10204025772951898_5246358673581021823_n.jpg?oh=4ebefcbbb1c1bc743b14e020c861695f&oe=545EC5CB

 

[moparsandharleys]

https://scontent-b-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t1.0-9/10659387_10204025772791894_4297694255098001875_n.jpg

 

[moparsandharleys]

 

[moparsandharleys]

No pics, but you can take as much off the panel as it is rated for. Some panels limit the size of breakers that can be installed, some panels have feed thru lug kits that allow you to run the power out, unbreakered except for the original main.

Charles

I posted pics. Hoping they show now.

And if i am seeing this correctly i believe this box does indeed have feed thru lugs. Correct?

Would like to install a 200 amp service panel in the garage.

 

[Mustang51js]

Your main is 200 amps so you can't do that unless you replace main service to something bigger. You could do a 125 amp sub panel in the garage

 

[moparsandharleys]

Would it hurt anything to still use larger wire and using a 200 amp panel anyway? I realize the real bottleneck is going to be the 200 amp main at the house side anyway but if i install that way it would already be prepared if service was ever upgraded??

 

[justsam]

No harm in installing a larger panel in the garage, but as stated you will be limited by the breaker size at the main.

It has been discussed before, but do you need 200 Amps to the garage? Is this a one man shop? How many tools will be running concurrently? I have a 30x50 garage with lift, IR compressor, welding gear, etc and 100 Amp has been fine. Now if you are going to AC and/or use electric heat, perhaps.

Clearly there is another panel somewhere, looks like on a 50 Amp breaker. Where is the white or neutral for that run? It looks like there is only an unsheathed ground, and I suspect there are 120V circuits wherever it is. How long ago was the panel installed?

Good thing you are only running 20 feet, you will choke at wire prices to handle 200 Amps, if you go that route.

 

[Falcon67]

Clearly there is another panel somewhere, looks like on a 50 Amp breaker. Where is the white or neutral for that run?

I'd guess water heater or compressor motor. Or some other equipment not needing a neutral.

FWIW - I have a 70A feed to my 24x40. The wire is good to 90A. I have a lot of stuff, lotsa motors, lights, etc including a well pump. Never a trip.

 

[moparsandharleys]

That 50 amp circuit has to feed something in the house... Only high draw electrics in there would be electric stove. Or dryer. And that size would be total overkill for them. Im a bit puzzled myself now. Bought the house 1 year ago. Was a total remodel. I have not ever seen a second panel. Now i am going to be hunting....

 

[moparsandharleys]

Guess i will shut it off and see wont doesnt work. lol.

 

[moparsandharleys]

The only reason i would like to have the 200 amp is the size of box. I truly never plan on using that much equipment at once that i will trip as this is a one man shop. But it will include a 4 post hoist, 2 post, compressor,welder outlets, a 30 amp rv connection. small electric bathroom heater, and there is a full 2nd floor loft area that will be a rec room / storeage area. I will be wiring myself and just feel the smaller boxes limit the number of circuits i will run to much.

 

[Falcon67]

Guess i will shut it off and see wont doesnt work. lol.

Better plan that shorting outlets to see what blows.

 

[teamextreme]

50 amp 2 pole in the main panel will be for the range, that's the standard size used. The 30 amp will be for the dryer. I'm pretty sure you can get 100 amp panels with just as many spaces as 200 amp panels, I would confirm that before spending the coin on a way-oversized 200 amp subpanel.

 

[justsam]

It just does not seem like there are enough breakers for all your home light circuits, outlet circuits, kitchen appliances, and laundry. That is why I thought there might be another panel, but it would require a neutral.

 

[moparsandharleys]

When i run the feed to the garage do i need to run a ground rod at the garage or just run the 4 wire to it and call it a day?

 

[justsam]

When i run the feed to the garage do i need to run a ground rod at the garage or just run the 4 wire to it and call it a day?

You mentioned the wire run was 20 feet or less. Is garage totally detached, or connected by breezeway?

 

[moparsandharleys]

IT is technically going to be connected by breezeway by plans. But the city engineer quit and i think i am going to get the inspection as detached and see what they say. Taxes are cheaper that way. But do to the size and height of it i am "supposed" to be attached.

 

[moparsandharleys]

Leaning toward this type panel.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MR6O3S/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[wyliesdiesels]

IT is technically going to be connected by breezeway by plans. But the city engineer quit and i think i am going to get the inspection as detached and see what they say. Taxes are cheaper that way. But do to the size and height of it i am "supposed" to be attached.

If its detached then you need ground rods. And either way(attached or detached) u need a 4-wire feed. Grounding electrodes and EGCs are 2 different animals...

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Why do people always seem to feel the need to fill a panel with those tandem breakers when they have all those extra spaces left?
Only thing worse than that is when they fill the whole panel with them because they were too cheap to spend the extra $25.00 for the bigger panel,but they spend an extra $50.00 buying all those tandem breakers!

 

[moparsandharleys]

Yeah that was kind of my thoughts on it too. I also didnt much care for the breaker panel on the outside of the house but since i am going to be tieing into it now it does make life that much easier.

 

[sberry]

You need a main breaker for a detached.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

You need a main breaker for a detached.

Only if there are more than 6 breaker handles.