Subpanel Help.

[mlachance112785]

Hi guys, I'm new here.
Just had a 22x28 detached garage built. Looking into wiring. The electrician is telling me that a 60A service will be sufficient for what I have. I'm not convinced he is right. I have a 80 gal 5hp compressor, 5000watt electric heater, 180A welder. All need their own 30A breaker (according to their manuals). I also have 9 8ft T8 fluorescent lights, and planned for 16 receptacles throughout the garage. I'm definitely not an electrician, but I think I have a general understanding of how this works. With that being said, the most I might ever have running at the same time would be the compressor, heater, and lights, heater, welder and lights, or compressor, welder, and lights.

I think a 100A service would be needed for this. or is 60A more than enough.
He's supposed to be coming tomorrow night. Hopefully someone can give me a better understand of this stuff. I think I provided enough information.

Thanks.

-Mark

 

[C96]

i think a 100a service

-mark

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[wyliesdiesels]

What kind of welder?

If a tig or if u run a plasma, then u would need the compressor on at the same time and if youre working in the winter u would have the heater on as well.

Im thinking u should go with 100a....

 

[chew]

Electrician here, 100A. A 60A panel would probably work most of the time, might work all of the time, however I think you'd be close to tripping, with the lights, heater, welding then the compressor kicks on. Also it shouldn't be too much more for the peace of mind 100A brings. Personally I'd run AL as a feeder vs copper. But that's up to you.

 

[Eriehunter]

Electrician here, 100A. A 60A panel would probably work most of the time, might work all of the time, however I think you'd be close to tripping, with the lights, heater, welding then the compressor kicks on. Also it shouldn't be too much more for the peace of mind 100A brings. Personally I'd run AL as a feeder vs copper. But that's up to you.

Electrician here too.
The 60 will most likely be adequate for what you have now, but leaves no room for expandability.

I would pick the 100, you may not need that extra capability but it will be there if you need it.

 

[Rookie2]

sub panel.... i think you should be concerned with the main panel .

 

[joel63]

Electrician here, 100A. A 60A panel would probably work most of the time, might work all of the time, however I think you'd be close to tripping, with the lights, heater, welding then the compressor kicks on. Also it shouldn't be too much more for the peace of mind 100A brings. Personally I'd run AL as a feeder vs copper. But that's up to you.

Other than cost, why would you go with AL instead of copper for a feeder?

Just asking since I'm facing a similar situation.

 

[Norcal]

Other than cost, why would you go with AL instead of copper for a feeder?

Just asking since I'm facing a similar situation.

That would be the only reason, copper is the conductor of choice but aluminum is a legitimate way of cutting costs, installed correctly (this applies to copper too!) aluminum alloy conductors will be a safe, reliable means of powering a shop/garage.

 

[mlachance112785]

This guy seems dead set on not doing 100A. and won't really say why. Other than "the original plan was for 60A". A bit more. I currently have 320A off the telephone pole. That is shared between 2 houses (attached), and what will be the garage. The houses each have "modern kitchens" with all the bells and whistles. Could it be that there isn't enough juice to go around for all three? I'm pretty clueless with all this. Sorry if the descriptions are vague.

And thanks again for the quick replies!

 

[plow]

Tell me again who's paying him????????

IE, I want a 100A panel installed............

 

[joel63]

That would be the only reason, copper is the conductor of choice but aluminum is a legitimate way of cutting costs, installed correctly (this applies to copper too!) aluminum alloy conductors will be a safe, reliable means of powering a shop/garage.

Thanks.

 

[Aftermath]

This guy seems dead set on not doing 100A. and won't really say why. Other than "the original plan was for 60A". A bit more. I currently have 320A off the telephone pole. That is shared between 2 houses (attached), and what will be the garage. The houses each have "modern kitchens" with all the bells and whistles. Could it be that there isn't enough juice to go around for all three? I'm pretty clueless with all this. Sorry if the descriptions are vague.

And thanks again for the quick replies!

I'd find another electrician who is willing to work around your needs and not his. Unless there is something I'm missing, I'd go 100amp.

 

[C96]

This guy seems dead set on not doing 100A. and won't really say why. Other than "the original plan was for 60A".

Maybe he already has the materials to install the 60 Amp. Possibly excess material already paid for from other jobs and he hopes to use it at your place thus yielding him a better profit.

 

[mlachance112785]

I tried replying here a little while ago. I spoke to him on the phone:
When the addition was added onto the house, the garage was planned out for only 60A. So when he set up to do the panel in the second house (each house has its own 200a panel), he set things up for 60A out in the garage. It's not that he can't or doesn't want to do it, I it would be too costly to change it now? Whatever the case may be, he assured both me and my father that the 60A will be sufficient. But warned not to run 2 "big" things at once. Which to me defeats the point. But my say only goes so far seeing as my father is taking care of the bill.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

So what is it thats already set up for 60a?

Is the wire pulled already?

Breaker installed?

 

[justsam]

This guy seems dead set on not doing 100A. and won't really say why. Other than "the original plan was for 60A". A bit more. I currently have 320A off the telephone pole. That is shared between 2 houses (attached), and what will be the garage. The houses each have "modern kitchens" with all the bells and whistles. Could it be that there isn't enough juice to go around for all three? I'm pretty clueless with all this. Sorry if the descriptions are vague.

And thanks again for the quick replies!

Need a little more information about these existing two houses that will be fed from the 320Amp service in addition to the 60 or 100 Amp for the new garage.

Are these existing homes, "all electric"? Is heating, hot water, air conditioning, dryer, oven, cook top, etc. all electric? Are there any extra ordinary loads in the homes?

Assuming gas for heating I do not see an issue with providing the 100 Amp service to the garage and power to the existing homes with the 320Amp feed.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Electrician here, 100A. A 60A panel would probably work most of the time, might work all of the time, ...

Electrician here too.
The 60 will most likely be adequate for what you have now, but leaves no room for expandability.

The CHEAP solution is to turn your heat off when you are using your (yet to be purchased) plasma cutter or when you have buddies over using the compressor while you are welding. For me, that would not be a big deal,

100A panel, but the feed should be limited to 90A so you can use AL cable (MHF).