Running power to two barns.

[jarrodblake]

We built a new pole barn 30x50. The plan is to have a 100 amp box installed in the new barn. Our house has a 200 amp service. We also have a old 1800s two story carriage barn 30x30 in-between the house and new barn. We would like to have power run there as well as its on the way to the new barn. Ideally we would like to have a 100 amp box installed in the old barn as well. We have scheduled an electrician to come and run the power lines to the new barn he also wanted to install a new breaker box at the same time. He won't be here until late next month. We have not been able to get ahold of him yet on about adding power to the old barn as well.

Power uses for the barns. In the new barn it's mostly for vehicle storage. It will have indoor and outdoor lighting, outlets for battery chargers/ door openers, a 50 amp for my welders if I ever need to use them out there. 30 amp for an air compressor. May put a refrigerator out there and a exhaust fan.

The old barn May be turned into a she shed. It will have indoor and outdoor lighting, She says she wants to refinish furniture so outlets for sanders and other woodworking tool etc. A window a/c unit.

Will we need to upgrade our 200 amp service?

I see most people install a 100 amp breaker in the box in the house, but that is to run one 100 amp box. I have also looked into a double lug meter box. As well as a 200 amp Splitter box after the meter box.

I like the idea of the 200 amp Splitter box after the meter box. Can I run a 200 amp cable to the old barn then into a second splitter box? Then run a 100 amp cable to the new barn? or do I have to run two 100 amp cables to both barns. If not what would be the most cost effective. The old barn is 35 feet from the house service and the new barn is 200 feet.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

what kind of loads do you have in the house?

 

[jarrodblake]

what kind of loads do you have in the house?

Main loads 2 A/C units, 2 gas furnaces, 2 refrigerators and a freezer, washer/ dryer, washing machine once a week, 2 tvs on at the same time sometimes. 2 laptops. welders, milling machine, plasma table and air compressor run at the sametime. Other than that normal household usage.

 

[dcg9381]

what kind of loads do you have in the house?

Someone will come along and cite "load calculation". I prefer power monitoring and looking for peak draw over a week or so - I think that's the best way to check.

I have 90A service to a 40x60 shop. 2 AC units (4 tons), run a welder, a plasma (not at the same time), a 1.5hp water pump, a hot tub, refrigerator, stereo, 2 TVs and have had several RVs connected to power at the same time. No issues yet, but I've also got a "solar assist" of up to 30A.

I'd be a little more concerned if you had an EV charger, a hot tub/pool, tankless electric water heater, or heat pump (electrical emergency heat) - but I see none of those listed.

My service main is 320A, but I can tell you that my residence can easily get by with under 100A and I've got electric heat (heat pump) in the house. If I had a 200A main, we'd still be in good shape.

 

[durk_2007]

I'm running a 100a service with a 60A breaker at the service entrance to my house with a heat pump, air compressor, 120v welder,and other regular house loads I've never had it pop the breaker. The peak average 15min load I've had is 26A this month.

With the loads your talking about will be well below 100A for both buildings.