Question regarding conduit size and top plate framing

[993James993]

I've searched both here and in the books I have on framing and wiring without finding my answer.

I'm planning a detached garage and hope to bypass the panel on my house by having the power company provided a direct service to the garage.

Framing will be 2x6 studs with a double top plate. Can I use a panel that mounts in the wall and have the conduit go straight up, passing through the top plates? This would require cutting a hole in the top plates. Or do I need to bend the conduit to avoid the top plates.

What is the typical diameter of the conduit used for the main drop? Panel will most likely be 200A.

I'm probably not using the proper terms which is why my search didn't find anything.

Thanks!

 

[rinny_tin_tin]

I've searched both here and in the books I have on framing and wiring without finding my answer.

I'm planning a detached garage and hope to bypass the panel on my house by having the power company provided a direct service to the garage.

Framing will be 2x6 studs with a double top plate. Can I use a panel that mounts in the wall and have the conduit go straight up, passing through the top plates? This would require cutting a hole in the top plates. Or do I need to bend the conduit to avoid the top plates.

What is the typical diameter of the conduit used for the main drop? Panel will most likely be 200A.

I'm probably not using the proper terms which is why my search didn't find anything.

Thanks!

For 200 A, your conduit will likely be at least 3 inch diameter - Do you want to cut a 3 inch hole in your top plate?

 

[Torque1st]

Your power company may charge you commercial rates for a separate service along with a monthly service fee. Usually it is more economical to use a sub panel off your main service.

The power company drop will be to a meter can on the outside of the building.

 

[ddawg16]

I have a detached garage and when I poured the foundation, I ran a 3/4" PVC conduit up through the bottom plate....

Unless you are wanting to run a lot of power to the garage....I would follow the above advice....just run an underground feed from your main panel to the garage....if you main meter is not large enough...then make it larger....in the long run it will be cheaper than a second drop....

But if you still want the meter on the garage.....Simpson Strongtie makes a steel plate that you can put on the top plate.

 

[tfi racing]

You will not be permitted to run your service entrance inside any wall.Your mast,conduit or cable before the meter must be on the exterior of the wall.
About 40 or so years ago you could do what you are planning,but those rules changed many years ago.

 

[Jeepskate]

That's excellent!! I think I'm going to call my power company and see if they'll do the same for me before I go and start digging trenches and drilling holes.

 

[ironman2424]

he's going to be mad when he gets his first bill after adding the new meter. meter reading companies charge for each meter they read and the elec co. will pass it right on down the line. ditchwitch rentals average $100/day, outdoor sub box's average $25 to $50, URD and conduit averages a maximum of $250 for a 100 feet, $0 for the power company to disconnect power and reconnect after the sub box is tied to the house main. $650 versus $400 plus alittle dirt and sweat. sounds like a no brainer to me. i did mine myself. i just called the power company and told them someone stole my meter tag. they sent someone out who put a lock back on the ring. those guys dont know who has what and when it was put there so DIY it and forget about it.

 

[Tscott]

he's going to be mad when he gets his first bill after adding the new meter. meter reading companies charge for each meter they read and the elec co. will pass it right on down the line. ditchwitch rentals average $100/day, outdoor sub box's average $25 to $50, URD and conduit averages a maximum of $250 for a 100 feet, $0 for the power company to disconnect power and reconnect after the sub box is tied to the house main. $650 versus $400 plus alittle dirt and sweat. sounds like a no brainer to me. i did mine myself. i just called the power company and told them someone stole my meter tag. they sent someone out who put a lock back on the ring. those guys dont know who has what and when it was put there so DIY it and forget about it.

It depends on his power company. They may read meters in house like the company I work for. Just because your power company does it one way does not make it a universal truth. Besides, running the shop off the house panel can cause a number of unforeseen problems. High demand equipment in the garage can cause problems with flicker in the house, old breaker panels may need to be upgraded, and long runs of secondary can cause voltage problems in the garage. Sound to me like he has a solution he is happy with and works for him.

Tom

 

[tcianci]

While not attempting to answer the electrical aspects of this post, knocking a hole of 3 inches or so through a 2x6 top plate should not be a problem, it's done all the time for plumbing vents and such and you should put a simpson strong tie protector plate across the area so that other fasteners are not driven into the conduit/pipe or cables that run through any framing penetration.