rodknocker
Well-known member
I was trying to figure out what size/kind wire I need to run to my garage. Its about 45' from my house to the garage.I want to run it underground,and be able to run a 220v compressor and welder.Thanks in advance.
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Running wire to a detached garage
- Thread starter rodknocker
- Start date
FarmerSid
Well-known member
First! How big a service do you have in the house and is there enough room for another double pole breaker? I think you need to have at least two empty spots to meet code.
bb1970
Well-known member
I ran a second line to the shop. I didn't want to have issues with the electrical service at the house. It runs me $16-$40 a month. Depending on how much I'm out there. Worth it to me not to have me wife bitchin' about thrown breakers.
FarmerSid
Well-known member
Me, I'm tighter than bark to a tree! LOL! It would have been cheaper in the long run (2-4 yrs) to have upgraded your main panel to 200 AMPs and run a circuit off of that to your building. You are spending $200-$500 a year for that second line/meter where you could have bought a new panel with a good assortment of breakers for around $250 and got an electrician to change it out for about $750 - $1000. This is only relative to my area though. Could be different for you. It also deoends on if you have supply lines can handle 200 AMP.
Not saying the route you went is wrong, just another idea to think about for anybody in a similar situation.
Not saying the route you went is wrong, just another idea to think about for anybody in a similar situation.
OP
rodknocker
Well-known member
I have 200amp service in my house, I'm just trying to figure out what kind or size of wire I should use to run it about 45', and be able to run a 220v welder and compressor. I'm kinda familiar with the fact that the length is going to make resistance, and I don't know what size to use, and like I said I want to run it underground, so I don't know if I can run it without putting it in conduit or if I need to.
slicktoptt
Well-known member
I'm not sure about size of the wire as I am not an electrician or have much electrical knowledge. I do know that I would run the wire in conduit...In fact it is probably code. Running unprotected electrical wire underground is rather dangerous. You could forget the path and accidently hit it if you were digging later or if you sold the house some one could hit it not knowing it was burried there.
Local electrical supply store could probably help with the size if you gave them the run you needed to cover.
Local electrical supply store could probably help with the size if you gave them the run you needed to cover.
You should check local codes and requirements. Around here, I had to run aluminum #2 or copper #3 cable suitable for direct burial. Code required 24" burial. This was for 100 amp service. It was a fraction of the price of copper but perhaps that has changed recently. You will need to know the service rating/amps.
Harley Monster
Well-known member
I am planning my garage now, it will be about 75' panel to panel from my house. I have 200 amp service at the house and my electrician who recently added a subpanel for me for a hot tub looked at it and told me to put a 200 Amp in the garage.
The amperage is what will determine the gauge of wire you will run and I don't believe there is a distance penalty, meaning increased size to account for voltage drop, until you go over 100'. I believe he said I would have to run 3 wire #4 copper.
A detacted structure will have to have its own ground, either a 20' Ufer or an 8' copper rod.
Most all areas use the National Electrical Code as their standard so the gauge of wire, etc. doesn't usually vary from state to state and county to county.
I have been considering putting a separate meter at the garage because my utility company charges on a tier level so the first ounce of juice I would use in the garage would go on the already high tier level of the house so the first ounce will cost me as much as the last ounce of house usage...I hope that makes sense to you.
In other words, if my garage has a separate meter, the first energy I use would be at the lowest rate not billed at the same rate as my house which is already at a high tier level.
Of course it cost to put in another meter and there are some taxes you would have to pay twice because of two meters...I will just have to do some calculating to see which is the best way to go.
The amperage is what will determine the gauge of wire you will run and I don't believe there is a distance penalty, meaning increased size to account for voltage drop, until you go over 100'. I believe he said I would have to run 3 wire #4 copper.
A detacted structure will have to have its own ground, either a 20' Ufer or an 8' copper rod.
Most all areas use the National Electrical Code as their standard so the gauge of wire, etc. doesn't usually vary from state to state and county to county.
I have been considering putting a separate meter at the garage because my utility company charges on a tier level so the first ounce of juice I would use in the garage would go on the already high tier level of the house so the first ounce will cost me as much as the last ounce of house usage...I hope that makes sense to you.
In other words, if my garage has a separate meter, the first energy I use would be at the lowest rate not billed at the same rate as my house which is already at a high tier level.
Of course it cost to put in another meter and there are some taxes you would have to pay twice because of two meters...I will just have to do some calculating to see which is the best way to go.
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