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Running electrical to barn help needed

ffjosh

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Oct 6, 2011
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475
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IN
I'm not a professional, however I know enough to be dangerous :D

Ive done the normal electrical plugs and adding breakers and circuits but never ran service to a sub panel.

Length from main to sub
30 ft
200 amp service at Main (6 slots available)
My sub is a 100 amp (maybe 125 can't remember) with 12 slots.

I'm doing the hard work my self and will let a pro hook everything up.
.

At this moment I'm using 5 slots. ( 3 for lights 2 for outlets)

I want to run 220 eventually and also might split one of my outlet runs into two breakers.


So how many wires do I run?
How many breakers do I use at my main?
What type of wire?

I've don't some research but want to hear from you guys.
 
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pentavolvo

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Where are you located always helps to know

I'm confused this sub panel you mention is this something existing or the new panel you want to make a run to in your shed?
 
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ffjosh

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IN
Where are you located always helps to know

I'm confused this sub panel you mention is this something existing or the new panel you want to make a run to in your shed?


Fort Wayne Indiana

It's a new panel.
 

pattenp

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You need to be clearer on what you are doing. I assume the barn is detached and the main is in another structure. If that's the case then there can only be one feed from the main to the sub-panel in the barn so you will be adding one 100A double pole breaker in the main feeding the wire to the barn. If you want a full 100A at barn you will need to use at least #1 Al or #3 Cu. You also need 4 conductors, 2 hots, 1 neutral and 1 ground.
 
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ffjosh

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You need to be clearer on what you are doing. I assume the barn is detached and the main is in another structure. If that's the case then there can only be one feed from the main to the sub-panel in the barn so you will be adding one double pole breaker in the main feeding the wire to the barn. If you want a full 100A at barn you will need to use at least #1 Al.
Sorry ha-ha

Yes main is in my house. Sub is in the barn.

I don't think I need 100 amps but I don't know. Why I ask.
 
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pattenp

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You need to figure out how many amps you need and go from there. Add up the amperage of all the stuff you think you'll have running at one time. That's a simple staring point to get a rough idea.
 

pattenp

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Oh.. and even thought the sub-panel is 100A or 125A doesn't mean it has to be fed with that many amps. You can do 50A or 60A from the main. Also if the sub-panel ends up having more than 6 breakers then there needs to be a main disconnect at the barn. If your sub-panel is a main breaker panel then that will be the main disconnect.
 
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ffjosh

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You need to figure out how many amps you need and go from there. Add up the amperage of all the stuff you think you'll have running at one time. That's a simple staring point to get a rough idea.

Thank you for all the help.

Yes I figured I didn't have to run that many amps. In order to get a 12 breaker box i had too.

I'll figure out my amps.

I know what I'll have running at worste case but highly unlikely.

Fridge
135 Welder
Heater
Misc battery chargers
Maybe a grinder
Saw
Ac unit
Fan
10-12 floircent lights.
All the main things I have. They shouldn't run at the same time but never know.

I have a wood stove so really no need for a heater.
However I want a hoist in the future so 220 is a must for just in case.
 

wyliesdiesels

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Modesto, CA
I would get a bigger panel...

Before u know it you will be out of room.

Plus panels that small can be a pain to wire when full.

Dont forget 2 ground rods...

Also, The neutral bus bar needs to be isolated and u probably need to buy a ground bar kit...
 
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ffjosh

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Oct 6, 2011
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475
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IN
I would get a bigher panel...

Before u know it you will be out of room.

Plus panels that small can be a pain to wire when full.

Dont forget 2 ground rods...

Also, The neutral bus bar needs to be isolated and u probably need to buy a ground bar kit...

Thank you.
 
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