wire as a main or sub-panel?

[manwithtools]

I believe if you research Dan's build thread, this is a combination house and shop built from the ground up to be one building containing both house and shop.

 

[mm08822]

I didn't research Dan's build thread too deeply. The pic in this thread looks is like all new construction as all windows have mfr tags and are open. If others didn't know better, I would say it is all one new building. No problem. Doesn't change the issue, just confirms it.

Need to have one feeder to this building as it is stated to be a single occupancy residential building. Looks like it may be time to size up hardware for a single 400A service from meter to the building and correct the original 200a feeder mistake.

What is the reason for a 200a panel in the garage?

 

[dave89iroc]

I didn't research Dan's build thread too deeply. The pic in this thread looks is like all new construction as all windows have mfr tags and are open. If others didn't know better, I would say it is all one new building. No problem. Doesn't change the issue, just confirms it.

Need to have one feeder to this building as it is stated to be a single occupancy residential building. Looks like it may be time to size up hardware for a single 400A service from meter to the building and correct the original 200a feeder mistake.

What is the reason for a 200a panel in the garage?

a thought, could you run from the meter pedestal to the house, have a2x 200a breaker disconnect on the house as a subpanel, then run to the 2 200A panels? don't know if there is such a thing as a 400A disconnect , etc., just thinking

 

[Diesel Dan]

What is the reason for a 200a panel in the garage?

Space, capacity.
It was discussed in the past where the 400 is overkill but my POCO only offers 200, 400 (maybe 600) amp meter bases. IMO, 200 would be too low with 3-4 tankless electric water heaters, 2 a/c heat pumps with electric heat strips, 2-50A RV plugs and then all the normal stuff.

So when building new why not just install 42 slot panels. If you have 42 slot panels then why not make sure they are fed the rated amperage?

There is soo much with this build that is beyond code like extra wide/thick footers with 3 runs of rebar instead of 2, blocks core filled with vertical rebar every 4'(code calls for none) welded to sill plate J-bolts, rebar in the floor on 2' grid pattern, floor finished to warehouse smooth, 2x8 studs in the living quarters, completely sealed with closed cell spray foam, standing seam metal roofing with southern exposure white etc.

Again, this is the very first time I've heard any concerns that the electric supply to the structure is an issue.

So, why 200A in the garage?
It is a really BIG garage that someday I'd like to outfit with too many power tools and have a bunch of car guys/family/friends hanging out with their RVs toys and not worry about overloading anything.

Will I ever need it?
But that is my goal.

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ Sounds like GREAT shop. Get what YOU want . . . and don't look back.

 

[wssix99]

Space, capacity.
It was discussed in the past where the 400 is overkill but my POCO only offers 200, 400 (maybe 600) amp meter bases.

These comments are short sighted. If you are going to be in your structure for over 10 years, accommodating 400A (whether it be for the service now or putting in conduit to pull larger wires later) is the way to go. Looking down the road, just about every car we'll be able to buy will be electric or a hybrid plug-in. Put two of those future cars in your garage, and... there goes your 200A. (Tesla's top-of-the-line charger requires a 100A feed.)

 

[mm08822]

Not trying to talk you out of 200a, just looking for possible options with what is already there.

I would run your plan by the AHJ making sure he realizes this all one building - a house with a big a$$ garage attached to it. Submit your plans of 2 feeders into one building to him and get it signed off on before you start running the second feed.

I dont understand why he would allow that.

 

[manwithtools]

Not trying to talk you out of 200a, just looking for possible options with what is already there.

I would run your plan by the AHJ making sure he realizes this all one building - a house with a big a$$ garage attached to it. Submit your plans of 2 feeders into one building to him and get it signed off on before you start running the second feed.

I dont understand why he would allow that.

Sounds like he already got the approval in a matter of speaking. I agree though, it's probably best to get the written approval from the AHJ before going any further.

 

[Diesel Dan]

Not trying to talk you out of 200a, just looking for possible options with what is already there.

No problem, didn't think you were.
In many posts about garage/shop sub panel sizing people are routinely asked what their load calcs are. Can't answer that with a detailed plan. Perfect example is since starting we decided to ditch the water heater and go the tankless route. A 27KW needs space for 3-40A breakers. When our son visits his toy hauler has 3 A/C units, we'd like to have family reunions down here and have space for several campers, even have septic hookups for them.

Even the septic was sized for 4 bedrooms vs the 3 in the house and went with effluent chambers instead of trench/pipe/stone.

I would run your plan by the AHJ making sure he realizes this all one building - a house with a big a$$ garage attached to it. Submit your plans of 2 feeders into one building to him and get it signed off on before you start running the second feed.

I dont understand why he would allow that.

Would or would not allow it?

Sounds like he already got the approval in a matter of speaking. I agree though, it's probably best to get the written approval from the AHJ before going any further.

That ship has already sailed!
Pedestal assembly installed a year ago.
Conduit has been run, holes bored in block, panels mounted and 200' of 3/0 CU already purchased. Main reason it took so long to hook up the house panel was waiting on spray foam.

With all the other delays/issues I've ran into with this build what's a little more time and money at this point!?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Not trying to talk you out of 200a, just looking for possible options with what is already there.

I would run your plan by the AHJ making sure he realizes this all one building - a house with a big a$$ garage attached to it. Submit your plans of 2 feeders into one building to him and get it signed off on before you start running the second feed.

I dont understand why he would allow that.

.....Would or would not allow it?

WOULD.

Its a major code violation.

To be honest though, inspectors miss so much it doesnt surprise me.

Then, some inspectors call out stuff that isnt a code violation.

 

[Diesel Dan]

Update, inspector never said anything on the rough in about the dual panel issue. Not going out of my way to ask either.
Just about ready for the final, yes it's a long process doing almost everything yourself.

Pic of the house panel with new surge breaker installed.

 

[Diesel Dan]

Update, passed final for living space today.