Service entrance recommendations

[toyotadriver]

I have a shop building already built and have started building the house. The power will come to the shop building from the road. The power then runs to a 200 amp generator transfer switch and then to the shop as well as the house.

I can run the power underground to either side of the garage to bring it into the house and then mount the house panel (subpanel technically) in the garage (most common mounting location where I live).

So, which one would you recommend and why?

 

[MTW]

Putting it on the house side get the panel closer to the loads, so therefore less branch circuit wiring length. Bad thing is, this is a fire rated wall, and is limited to the openings that can be placed in it. Everything in or crossing that wall needs to be fire rated for the wall listing. The other bad part is that the feeder will be run under the driveway or floor. Could cause a problem later due to vehicular traffic, frost heaves, and be expensive to fix.

Mounted on the outside wall will avoid most of the problems, but have longer branch circuits, and shorter feeder.

What does the plans you submitted to the city say, you may want to consult with them or your architect before you make any changes.

I would look at running the feeder through the outbuilding attic, then crossing underground to the outside garage wall. In this way your not crossing under vehicular traffic, and the underground portion is as short as possible.

MTW Ω

 

[bczygan]

Another option is to run overhead in the shop, then underground to the garage, then overhead in the garage to the house, then down to the basement of at least on the house side of the firewall.

Then all branch circuits are in the house, and only one wire penetrates the firewall.

If you need a lot of different power in the garage, then place a small subpanel there.

Bill

 

[toyotadriver]

What cable would you run if you ran it through the house and/or shop?

I'm planning on running anything underground in conduit.

Thanks for the input.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

U could use SER inside which doesnt need to be in conduit but ampacity may have to be reduced depending on how much is in insulation...

The feeder could be MHF...

 

[toyotadriver]

After looking at everything, I'm seriously considering running it into the shop, through the shop in the rafters, then back out the other side and over to the house garage. The entire cable will be run through 2.5 inch conduit.

This will save me having to run cable under the driveway.

 

[Mustang51js]

What does your house look like,open basement,ranch,attic. If it was me I would put it in the basement so if you have to run new circuits in the future your not running pipe or cutting Sheetrock,assuming you have an open basement or drop ceiling in basement