Service entrance question

[madala]

I am hoping to get some guidance on how to approach designing a new 200 amp service.

My utility will run the 250’ of SE wire in conduit from electric pole to the building. I have to dig the trench. They place the meter on the building.

However, I need electricity quite close to where their pole is for my well pump (240vac) and a 20amp 120vac circuit for chicken coop/yard light.

Can I run the chicken coop/pump circuit/s from the house to a w/p panel near the pole in a separate 1” conduit, but in the same trench as the utility SE wire?

Or should I have them install the meter close to the pole in a small distribution box where I can tap off the pump/utility circuit, and then run 2/0 gauge SE wire at my expense to the building?

Thanks in advance for any comments on code compliance/cost for these options.

 

[tyme2par4]

I am hoping to get some guidance on how to approach designing a new 200 amp service.

My utility will run the 250’ of SE wire in conduit from electric pole to the building. I have to dig the trench. They place the meter on the building.

However, I need electricity quite close to where their pole is for my well pump (240vac) and a 20amp 120vac circuit for chicken coop/yard light.

Can I run the chicken coop/pump circuit/s from the house to a w/p panel near the pole in a separate 1” conduit, but in the same trench as the utility SE wire?

Or should I have them install the meter close to the pole in a small distribution box where I can tap off the pump/utility circuit, and then run 2/0 gauge SE wire at my expense to the building?

Thanks in advance for any comments on code compliance/cost for these options.

You can run the wire in the same trench.
If you have them put the meter on the pole, I would guess they probably wouldn't run the wire from the meter to the house. Usually everything after the meter belongs to you.

 

[pattenp]

I wouldn't be so fast to say you can run your wire in the same trench as the power companies service wire. You really need to ask the power company if it's okay. I have a feeling they don't want any other power wire laid in the same trench with their service.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

It would be way cheaper to have them run the service entrance wire to the building and you run the branch feeder to small panel for pump and lights.

BTW 2/0 wire would need to be copper for 200a. If using aluminum you will need 4/0.

 

[ard]

1. Depends on the POCO. This is NOT an NEC issue. Mine allowed low voltage (cable, telco) but nothing else.

(Of course before I fully buried it, two pieces of 1" sch 40 PVC mighta slipped in at the 2 ft deep mark....)

2. Since the POCO is responsible for the wire before the meter, both now and down the road if it fails, I would let them run it the 250'. Run your own conduit back as needed.

3. If you are sure all you need is a well feed and a single 20A for a chicken coop, just run those condutors out there. (ie no subpanel) If you run 1.5" conduit, you can always upgrade later if the coop turns into a garage, shop, etc.

4. Toss in an extra #12 or two, for switch legs- outside lights, christmas, etc.

 

[madala]

It would be way cheaper to have them run the service entrance wire to the building and you run the branch feeder to small panel for pump and lights.

BTW 2/0 wire would need to be copper for 200a. If using aluminum you will need 4/0.

Many thanks for all this helpful input. I will update when I hear from the utility, but this has helped me make a decision.


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[sberry]

Ya, lots cheaper to run the circuits back.

 

[dfiler2]

My POCO supplied the wire from the pole to the house then let me put wire from the meter back to the garage in the same trench. I had to dig and cover the trench and supply the wire back to the garage.

 

[madala]

I am hoping to get some guidance on how to approach designing a new 200 amp service.



My utility will run the 250’ of SE wire in conduit from electric pole to the building. I have to dig the trench. They place the meter on the building.



However, I need electricity quite close to where their pole is for my well pump (240vac) and a 20amp 120vac circuit for chicken coop/yard light.



Can I run the chicken coop/pump circuit/s from the house to a w/p panel near the pole in a separate 1” conduit, but in the same trench as the utility SE wire?



Or should I have them install the meter close to the pole in a small distribution box where I can tap off the pump/utility circuit, and then run 2/0 gauge SE wire at my expense to the building?



Thanks in advance for any comments on code compliance/cost for these options.

Update and follow up question:

So it turns out my utility will allow other conduits in the trench with a 30” separation. As such I plan on having them run the SE to the building and I will install another conduit to get pump power back to the well.
I would like to this by running a 240vac circuit to a WP sub panel mounted near the well. I would like to tap a couple of 110 vac outlets off of this for chicken coop lights etc.
What size/type wire should I use to the sub panel? (250’ run 1.5hp pump). Breaker at both ends? How many amps?
Thanks in advance for your comments


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[rburke65]

I'd run 2" PVC conduit and #6 to the well area.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

6-6-6-10 cu is gonna cost over $500

Cheaper to do #2 al mobile home feeder @ $1.17/ft which will be about $300

Plus 250' is a bit long.

 

[ard]

Update and follow up question:

So it turns out my utility will allow other conduits in the trench with a 30” separation.

30" separation?!

Two trenches, IMO.

How deep does the POCO want? Here my recollection is that the service line needed 36" deep. a 36" deep trench with a trencher, and a second next to it at 24" is easier that a ~36" wide trench 36" down. A trencher is easier than a backhoe moving that much dirt.

 

[rburke65]

Oh ya....trench will be cheaper for your well feed.

 

[madala]

Wyliesdiesels - are you saying 250’ is too long for the 6# cu or #2 au?

Thx for your advice

 

[sberry]

2 gives way better power at that distance.

 

[AP514]

Wow, here in Texas the power Co only does power to your Property line the rest is up to you. I had to run 250' to my 400/320/Amp panel. Went Copper for the win...
They also only mark Utilities to the Property line. A guy at work almost fried himself using a trencher. Cut right thru his Servie lines. Lucky he cut the ground before hitting the power cables. All he saw was a Blues Flash and alot of smoke (holding the Deadmans switch down) You have to have a Private Co mark your utilities on your land

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Wyliesdiesels - are you saying 250’ is too long for the 6# cu or #2 al?

Thx for your advice

Depends on the load but yes for 90a on #2 the voltage drop will be quite a bit. 13.5 volts to be exact. NEC recommends(but doesnt require) 3% for branch feeders.

To keep voltage drop near 3%, I would do max 50a on #2. which would be 7.5 volts or 3.125%...

Of course your loads may be way less.

Oh and for #6 heres the numbers- @ 55a the voltage drop will be 12.1v or 5%. Would have to keep load at 35a to keep voltage drop at 7.7volts or 3.2%....

 

[mm08822]

Wow, here in Texas the power Co only does power to your Property line the rest is up to you. I had to run 250' to my 400/320/Amp panel. Went Copper for the win...
They also only mark Utilities to the Property line. A guy at work almost fried himself using a trencher. Cut right thru his Servie lines. Lucky he cut the ground before hitting the power cables. All he saw was a Blues Flash and alot of smoke (holding the Deadmans switch down) You have to have a Private Co mark your utilities on your land

That's too bad. Here in Jersey, 1 call and all public utilities get marked for free on the entire property. Its done in 3 business days. Big fine it you dont call and have a little mishap.

 

[madala]

I have a 1.5 hp pump set at 500’ . The owners manual says max wire length on 10# wire is 480’. The submersible wire already attached is 8# and 550’ long. I will call manufacturer tomorrow to try get amps of pump. All very confusing and frustrating.
Thx for your help

 

[ard]

I have a 1.5 hp pump set at 500’ . The owners manual says max wire length on 10# wire is 480’. The submersible wire already attached is 8# and 550’ long. I will call manufacturer tomorrow to try get amps of pump. All very confusing and frustrating.
Thx for your help

Is this part of the service entrance question, or something else?

What exactly are you asking? Reading this, there is no question...

 

[onlineteaching]

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