Sizing Service Wire For New Build-200AMP Service

[purplezr2]

Title says it all.

Looking to understand how to size new service entrance. Will be a 200amp service from the "pole" distribution box. Distance is between 250' and 300' depending on the path I take to get to the building.

Based on some reading it looks like 4/0-4/0-2/0 USE-2 Aluminum wire should fit the bill. Does this seem correct?

 

[mm08822]

4/0-4/0-2/0 USE-2 Aluminum is only good for 110 Amps at 300ft.
At 180Amp load you would be looking at 400kcmil Al.

You need a load calculation to determine the real need vs. just wanting a 200A service.

What about asking POCO for a pad mount xformer closer to house?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

what loads will you have?

 

[purplezr2]

How does one complete a load calculation.

Building will have it's own HVAC with will be Force Air/In floor propane, more then likely Minisplit for air conditioning.

I will have all the normal stuff.

Plasma
Welder
Lighting
Lift
HVAC(Propane boiler/Minisplit)
Woodworking tools
Air compressor
Tv
Fridge
Plug in for camper

Normal shop stuff in my mind. One man so I can draw that much but also don’t want to limit myself.

 

[mm08822]

Is this a shop only or is there a house also to consider?

 

[mike93lx]

Single person shop? Using 200a is essentially impossible. One can only use so many tools at once. Limit would probably be hvac, plus air compressor, plus lighting, plus plasma. Sizing it for 100a would be plenty, which 4/0 can do just fine.

If you have a disconnect at the pole, you need a 4 wire feeder, fyi. Code requirement or not, I would not put a 300ft feed on my property without a disconnect that I can access. And I would use conduit

 

[shaggyant]

Single person shop? Using 200a is essentially impossible. One can only use so many tools at once. Limit would probably be hvac, plus air compressor, plus lighting, plus plasma. Sizing it for 100a would be plenty, which 4/0 can do just fine.

If you have a disconnect at the pole, you need a 4 wire feeder, fyi. Code requirement or not, I would not put a 300ft feed on my property without a disconnect that I can access. And I would use conduit

In the old days I’d agree with you. Today it’s a distinct possibility two Teslas could pull in and hook up to chargers drawing 50 amps of 240 each.

 

[mike93lx]

In the old days I’d agree with you. Today it’s a distinct possibility two Teslas could pull in and hook up to chargers drawing 50 amps of 240 each.

I can come up with remote possibilities too, but that's a scenario that is easily solved for. 40a charging (on a 50a circuit) is plenty, plus that charging would almost certainly be done overnight when not a lot of shop work is getting done.

Not my money being spent, though

 

[purplezr2]

I can come up with remote possibilities too, but that's a scenario that is easily solved for. 40a charging (on a 50a circuit) is plenty, plus that charging would almost certainly be done overnight when not a lot of shop work is getting done.

Not my money being spent, though

I'm more of a overbuild and worry about the price later type of person, I would rather spend the money up front and package protect for future options. Example I have the builder ad a second header/door open to my cold storage side incase I wanted to install a second door to make a drive through bay. I did same in my attached garage. I more then likely won't use it, but easier to do it now.

There is a chance for an EV in the future. While I hope to park daily drivers in the house garage, there is a chance that mine my be parked in this building and my wife will stay in the house with the skidsteer and ranger in the winter.

Tough decision.....

 

[mike93lx]

I'm more of a overbuild and worry about the price later type of person, I would rather spend the money up front and package protect for future options. Example I have the builder ad a second header/door open to my cold storage side incase I wanted to install a second door to make a drive through bay. I did same in my attached garage. I more then likely won't use it, but easier to do it now.

There is a chance for an EV in the future. While I hope to park daily drivers in the house garage, there is a chance that mine my be parked in this building and my wife will stay in the house with the skidsteer and ranger in the winter.

Tough decision.....

I'm solidly in camp "buy once cry once", but I also try to be realistic about what possibilities are. We can already charge a battery easily overnight and there is only so much power a single person could use. Overkill on every part of a build may insure against many future upgrades, but it sure makes the initial bill a lot bigger.

 

[theoldwizard1]

How does one complete a load calculation ?

Building will have it's own HVAC with will be Force Air/In floor propane, more then likely Minisplit for air conditioning.

I will have all the normal stuff.

Plasma
Welder
Lighting
Lift
HVAC(Propane boiler/Minisplit)
Woodworking tools
Air compressor
Tv
Fridge
Plug in for camper

Normal shop stuff in my mind. One man so I can draw that much but also don’t want to limit myself.

You could EASILY get by with 100A.

 

[rburke65]

I gave 60 amp in my shop…ya can only use one tool at a time! 100 amp is a train load