Splitting service to barn

[Cb-man]

Hello there.
In the midst of all my projects i am running power to my barn.
I am installing a 100 amp panel in the barn.
My friend is an electrician and lineman. Works for DTE the local power company.

My question is how can i split the service after or at the meter?
He suggested stuffing both wires in the lug in the meter.
Its an old milbank meter socket.
I know the sell double lugs but dont know if it will attach in my meter.

Are there any other ways to split? Like a junction box or inside the 100 disconnect/breaker i have to put on the house before the barn?

 

[pattenp]

Well the one thing you shouldn't do is put two wires in one lug. If your outside disconnect panel has space for a second breaker then add one for the barn. If the house panel has open spaces you can add a breaker for the barn and go from the house panel. A picture of the existing disconnect panel opened up would help with answering your questions.

 

[Cmreschke]

Probably isn't an outside disconnect in Edison land. What size service do you have coming in from edison? Overhead or underground?

 

[Cmreschke]

Fyi 99.9 % sure you can't mount double lugs to your meter can unless you have a 320.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Does your meter pan have dual lugs?

As pattenp said, post up some pics so we can see what u have!

 

[Cb-man]

I have 320 amp overhead service. The meter can is an old 1975 milbank from when the house was built. I do not believe it is dual lug.
Im not fond of double tapping it.
Maybe i should replace the can. But im pretty sure getting the conduit out from the over head will be a pain.
Is there some disconnect or panel or junction i could run to straight out of the meter? Then split it?
A link to the right part would help.
I only boughy enough wire for 3 runs but i guess i could go buy a 4th for a ground and just run it in my house panel.
But im not sure the wire i bought for the run would reach to my panel

 

[Cb-man]

Also the disconnect i bought is just a 100 amp outdoor breaker. Two hot in two hot out and neutral

 

[Cmreschke]

Well you have to pull 4 wires no matter what if your putting a dc up by the meter.
Also I do not think edison ever issued a 320 overhead. So definitely need to see a picture of this setup.
How large is the house? How large is your main plane in the house?

 

[Cb-man]

I will have to get up there for a pic.
The house is 1700 sq ft. I called edison and they told me 320.
The house did have a push matic 100 amp panel in it.
Even my friend who works there said its fine.
Im running a 200 amp panel in the house but replaced the main with 100 amp.

Why would i need to run 4 wires unless it was coming out of the main panel?

If its a seperate feed from the meters its a seperate service like the house. Two hots one neutral and the panel is grounded

 

[CNGsaves]

Post up PIC's so the GJ Sparky's can help you out.

Don't think you're "electrician" friend is giving good advice . . . if his suggestion was to double up wires at the meter !!

Pictures of meter, meter enclosure, main house panel (cover ON . . and cover OFF).

What is DISTANCE from the house/meter to detached barn ???

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I will have to get up there for a pic.
The house is 1700 sq ft. I called edison and they told me 320.
The house did have a push matic 100 amp panel in it.
Even my friend who works there said its fine.
Im running a 200 amp panel in the house but replaced the main with 100 amp.

Why would i need to run 4 wires unless it was coming out of the main panel?

If its a seperate feed from the meters its a seperate service like the house. Two hots one neutral and the panel is grounded

u mentioned the possibility of using a disconnect after the meter. If u do that then u will need a 4-wire feeder- 2 hots neutral and EGC. U will also need grounding electrodes for the barn subpanel.

 

[Cb-man]

Alright. Even if its not 320 service coming in i have a 100 amp breaker at the house and the barn will be 100 amps.

I have two people helping me. My friend that works at DTE to cut power and do the work.
Also i work at marathon oil. We have certified electricians. I went over the code book with him for size of wire and how many feeds.
Since the barn isnt fed from the main panel it is a seperate feed we found you only need 3 wires.

I believe my panel at the house is feed through so i may go that way. Seems easier than messing with the meter.

 

[jekquist]

Ke electric supply has the best price I have found for wire. They are off of school craft in Livonia. I am running 100A service to my barn as well.

 

[Cb-man]

I got #2 copper from Graybar for .75 a foot

 

[NUTTSGT]

If I had it to do over again, I would have bought one of these my my garage.




Once it's in, you should "never" have to call the PoCo to pull the meter, just flip the disconnecting main.

 

[Cmreschke]

So the lineman from dte, and the industrial plant electrician are helping with the residential problem. Got it. Good luck.