what type and size wire for pole barn

[rnorton61]

Hello everyone. I tried posting this earlier but I can't find it so I'm trying again. I will be running power to my new pole barn soon and I'm wondering what amperage service I need, what size and type of wire and if I should put it in conduit. The run is just under 150' total. I will use a 220v welder once in while that draws a maximum of 50A. Besides that all I'll be using is an air compressor and small power tools. Can I get away with 60A service or should I put in 100A service in case I ever need it. What size and type of wire should I use and should I put it in conduit ?

I am in upstate NY in a fairly wet area.

I am open to any suggestions or advice as I want to do this right the first time but don't want to spend a fortune.

Thanks, Ron

 

[Allen Ebert]

It's quite simple, for 50 amp. distance with your travel, you can easily go with number 6 copper wire 3 conductor TECK, but it is expensive, check with a distributor for the ACWU 4/3C (no.4 3 driver) but aluminum it should be easily a third of the price.
You buy a jar NOALUX compound for joining copper / aluminum and everything is play!

 

[pattenp]

If you can get aluminum Mobile Home Feeder use 2-2-2-4 and you can over current protect it up to 90 amps. It can be direct buried but it's best to put it in conduit. MHF is approved to be run inside in conduit.

 

[madosta]

I would say go for at least 90 as pattenp is suggesting.

Also, put in a load center that has a bunch of spaces and a disconnect, not just the 60amp 8 breaker panels.

 

[larry_g]

Besides that all I'll be using is an air compressor and small power tools. Can I get away with 60A service or should I put in 100A service in case I ever need it.

Thanks, Ron

If you have a 50A welder, and a 5hp 21A compressor, and 15A of lighting your going to need a 100A service. You have to add up your total amp pull and then make a decision on the size service you need. So just with the three items above you could be in the 90A range if all happen to kick in at once. Now think about fans, heaters, fridge, and other power consumers. 60A is doable and I had a 60a feed to my old shop for awhile but soon upgraded to 100A.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Highbeam]

I have a similar pole barn and usage. I installed a 100 amp panel with lots and lots of room for breakers but only fed it with a 60 amp circuit from the house. I used 6 guage wire in a big 1.5" conduit to allow for future upsizing of the service if needed. The only reason I stayed with a 60 amp service is that I already had a 60 amp welder circuit in the attached garage that I was able to easily extend instead of laying in 18" of attic insulation and trying to run some heavy guage wire to my main panel which is in a finished room in the house.

My point is go for the high amp circuit up front. Additional wire cost is very minimal (and much cheaper than ripping out the low amp service for replacement), operating cost is no higher since you only pay for electricity you use, and nobody ever complained about too much power in their shop.

 

[rnorton61]

Thanks for the input. I am going to run the 2 2 2 4 in conduit and so I don't have to mess with it again. Can this wire be ran into my existing panel in the house or do I have to go to copper first and then in to the panel?

 

[pattenp]

Thanks for the input. I am going to run the 2 2 2 4 in conduit and so I don't have to mess with it again. Can this wire be ran into my existing panel in the house or do I have to go to copper first and then in to the panel?

It depends on the type of insulation on the wire. The feeder cable/wire can be run from panel to panel if fire resistant rated. Meaning it needs to be THHN/THWN or RHH/RHW-2. If the cable is solely rated USE/USE-2 then it can not enter the structure. The Moble Home Feeder is rated RHH/RHW-2/USE-2. It is fine to use aluminum wire from panel to panel. I recommend using 2 inch conduit. If you can't manage to get conduit to your house panel you can transition to #2 Al SER cable and no conduit is needed if run in a protected area.