Triplex service wire question

[rvr6000]

Was adding a 30 amp outlet for a clothes dryer at the cabin a couple weeks ago and it dawned on me we only have 60 amp service to the cabin. We want to move up there permanently within the next couple years so am thinking we will want to upgrade the service to something closer to 200 amp (plan to add a pole shed with a wood shop and hopefully a hot tub)

Our service line runs overhead about 200 feet from the house to the powerline. I'm wondering does the power company just run a standard size triplex line for all residential service based on what they think a typical house will need?

I'm wondering if I'll have to get that service wire upgraded too. That wouldn't be all that bad as then I could bury the last half of the service wire....the first half crosses over the highway to a pole with a yard light.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Overhead wire aka 'free air' and underground wire are 2 different types of wire with different ampacities.

PoCos dont typically carry many different sizes of wire. Ur overhead wire is probably oversized for the 60a service!

 

[SARG]

I'd guess you'll need to upgrade from your connection point to the service line and the power company's lines are already adequate.

 

[rvr6000]

Thanks - that's what a couple friends of mine thought too. Was kinda curious what the power companies base the line size on....and if it's different now than it was 50 years ago when this house was built.

Was thinking if I had to upgrade the service wire then I would bury the portion from the pole to the house but if I don't have to then I'll just leave it overhead.

 

[alfredeneuman]

The Power Companies have their own criteria for wire sizes solely based on the expected load on the service. The NEC has nothing to do with it.


When you apply to upgrade the service, they'll assess whether you need to have a bigger service drop.

 

[Aceman]

Every time I've upgraded a residential customer to a 200 amp service, the POCO just hooked the old aerial wire back up. I've yet to see them upsize their wire.

 

[tfi racing]

Just phone them and ask.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Was adding a 30 amp outlet for a clothes dryer at the cabin a couple weeks ago and it dawned on me we only have 60 amp service to the cabin. We want to move up there permanently within the next couple years so am thinking we will want to upgrade the service to something closer to 200 amp (plan to add a pole shed with a wood shop and hopefully a hot tub)

Our service line runs overhead about 200 feet from the house to the powerline. I'm wondering does the power company just run a standard size triplex line for all residential service based on what they think a typical house will need?

The wire up to your meter is the POCO problem. You just need to tell them you are upgrading your service from 60A to 200A.



My Dad had a place "up north" in MI. Before he moved up there full time he did the same thing. To make things easier, he left the existing 60A fues box in place and installed a new breaker panel. All new circuits and some of the heavy load old circuits (well pump) were installed in the new panel. The old fuse box became a "sub" off of the new panel.

After several years and several complaints to the POCO about low voltage, he finally got some one to come out. The voltage was within spec, except when a moderate to heavy load started (well pump, table saw, etc). Then it dropped to 90-100V ! The problem was an undersized transformer. Since the transformer was install 30+ (?) years ago, the number of "drop" ad doubled ! New transformer and life was wonderful.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Every time I've upgraded a residential customer to a 200 amp service, the POCO just hooked the old aerial wire back up. I've yet to see them upsize their wire.

I'm no licensed electrician, but that's exactly what has happened on the 4 residential service upgrades I've been involved in. My house went from (4) Edison fuses to 200A. No change in aerial feed.

Tommy

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Every time I've upgraded a residential customer to a 200 amp service, the POCO just hooked the old aerial wire back up. I've yet to see them upsize their wire.

 

[Norcal]

The size of the drop is the PoCo's problem not the customers.

 

[rvr6000]

Thanks everyone for the info. That's encouraging know I maybe won't have to pay for a new service drop. I'm not planning to tackle the panel upgrade myself...dad has an electrician friend I might just hire to do it.

 

[SARG]

Just to clarify. Around here the customer is responsible for the wire size from the panel through the meter and then to the connection point ...... at the top of a mast or a pole.

Learned that after a flood in 2011 when I was going to upgrade from a 150 amp to a 200 service. The wire from the panel through the meter to the power company connection on the side of the house would only accommodate the 150 amp service.

 

[rvr6000]

Thanks....that would still be a ton cheaper than having to pay for a new line from the house all the way out to the transformer.

 

[G_P]

When my parents put an addition on their house they upgraded from a 60a service with a fuse panel to a 200a service. The old fuse box became a sub off the new 200 breaker panel.

The overhead wires from the pole to the house were not changed until years later when a tree limb tore them down.

 

[rburke65]

It's up to the power company to deliver the power to you. Their delivery ends at the point of connection to your house. Don't worry about them. You will be fine.

 

[sberry]

I have had them change incoming. Usually when going from 60 to 200 Part of the reason for the up from 220 to 240 was so they didn't need to change out so much wire, especially from 60 to 100A but 200 is a leap and I usually get with the field engineer f I have to and negotiate a new wire. Often we are going from overhead to underground so its moot.

 

[sberry]

It's up to the power company to deliver the power to you. Their delivery ends at the point of connection to your house. Don't worry about them. You will be fine.

Not always so. They know most needs don't really change all that much when someone changes out a panel/ On occasion a tub or air cond and most residential loads are so low it usually doesn't matter.

 

[Linemen339]

I am a 17 yr lineman / Troubleshooter here in the northeast working at the second biggest utility up here. Rule of thumb for us is on a overhead service #2 aluminum Triplex is good for up to 200 amps for up to a bout 150ft +/-. I would push for them to run in 1/0 service drop. With your plans in the future a #2 aluminum Triplex drop will not cut it. It will be fine right now with your load but adding everything you want on to it will give you voltage trouble. Also have them check the load at the transformer feeding you. Most transformers are running at or over load capacity today in our area. As you stated your going from a 60 amp to a 200amp could change the transformer sizing also.