55chevylover
Member
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2013
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- 9
Hello I need to know what size wire do I have to run to my garage from the house 180 feet away. I will be running a compressor and a welder {220} and lights.Thanks for your help.
wire size
- Thread starter 55chevylover
- Start date
OP
55chevylover
Member
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2013
- Messages
- 9
hey guys got any electricians out there
astroracer
Well-known member
With a distance like that I would look into having a separate meter put on the shop. Have it set up for a 200 amp service and you will have more then enough power.
mark
mark
Beemer533
Well-known member
180 isn't that far. Not far enough IMO to warrant a second service. 200A would be nice, but in a typical 1 man shop it is overkill, but not enough info in OP. ..
Is the entire run 180' or is that just the distance between the structures?
Taking voltage drop into consideration, at 180' total with a 90A service you will need 2/0 if you use AL or 2awg if you use copper MHF.
Is the entire run 180' or is that just the distance between the structures?
Taking voltage drop into consideration, at 180' total with a 90A service you will need 2/0 if you use AL or 2awg if you use copper MHF.
Too LITTLE Information . . . . GJ Sparkies are going to have to guess . . Not Good!! 
Fill in the Following Missing Critical Pieces of Information:
a) Country ??? Update GJ PROFILE with a Location
b) What Amp power do you have feeding house from PoCo ??
c) Pictures of main electrical panel in house (both panel ON and panel OFF)
d) What all big power demands will you have in detached garage ??
. . . will you have 240v welder out there along with 240v compressor ?? other ??
. . . what potential Heating / Cooling will there be in garage ?? (elect / NG/ LPG ??)
l'd recommend you trench deep and install 2" conduit at bottom, and when finishing electrical after inspection, then backfill and install ANOTHER Conduit for low voltage items like CATV, internet, phone, security, etc.
GJ Sparkies will give you details once your LOAD is known for garage, and what kind of power you have to start with at the house.
Fill in the Following Missing Critical Pieces of Information:
a) Country ??? Update GJ PROFILE with a Location
b) What Amp power do you have feeding house from PoCo ??
c) Pictures of main electrical panel in house (both panel ON and panel OFF)
d) What all big power demands will you have in detached garage ??
. . . will you have 240v welder out there along with 240v compressor ?? other ??
. . . what potential Heating / Cooling will there be in garage ?? (elect / NG/ LPG ??)
l'd recommend you trench deep and install 2" conduit at bottom, and when finishing electrical after inspection, then backfill and install ANOTHER Conduit for low voltage items like CATV, internet, phone, security, etc.
GJ Sparkies will give you details once your LOAD is known for garage, and what kind of power you have to start with at the house.
matt_i
Well-known member
What kind of welder is important...something like a 350A transformer-based tig welder draws much differently from a suitcase inverter machine. The HP of your compressor must also be known.
Another way to analyze the problem is that you can buy a 6 slot (?) 60A "main lug load center" but after that you typically jump up to a 100A residential panel. I think there is a 125A version and then a 200A version at your big boxes. Each circuit on 240vac is going to use a double-slot, so that's 4 spaces gone from the load center and only 2 for lights/outlets. Not enough if you ask me. I'd jump up to the 100A panel.
Another way to analyze the problem is that you can buy a 6 slot (?) 60A "main lug load center" but after that you typically jump up to a 100A residential panel. I think there is a 125A version and then a 200A version at your big boxes. Each circuit on 240vac is going to use a double-slot, so that's 4 spaces gone from the load center and only 2 for lights/outlets. Not enough if you ask me. I'd jump up to the 100A panel.
pattenp
Well-known member
Mobile Home Feeder (MHF) doesn't come in copper.
pattenp
Well-known member
Shooting from the hip with little information, I'd run 2/0-2/0-2/0-1 Mobile Home Feeder and use a 100A feeding breaker and at least a 20+ space 100A Main Breaker panel for the subpanel.
Whats on your mind??
6t7gto
Well-known member
maybe he is just checking inventory
6t7gto
Well-known member
OP make sure you pull a permit.
Alchymist
Well-known member
Nope, using the ground wire in a 240v circuit for a neutral not allowed, and yes, your detached garage panel needs a 4 wire feed for 240 volt service.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
One man shop? Two man shop?
HP rating on compressor?
Electric heat, air conditioning, hot water, etc etc?
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
Beemer533
Well-known member
Ahh, thanks.. I meant to put "MHF" after AL, not copper...
This post edited by the NSA
Whats the difference in 2-0 2-0 2-0 1 and 2-2-2-4mhf
I too am looking to run service to my shop. Its about the same
distance of 180ft. No heating or welder, just 5hp 60gal ingersoll
compressor and 2 post lift, lighting and recepticles.
Is that too far of a distance to run 2-2-2-4?
I too am looking to run service to my shop. Its about the same
distance of 180ft. No heating or welder, just 5hp 60gal ingersoll
compressor and 2 post lift, lighting and recepticles.
Is that too far of a distance to run 2-2-2-4?
Alchymist
Well-known member
2-0 wire means a gauge of 00 for the conductors, way over kill for your needs. #1 aluminum at 180 feet would give you 90 amps at 240 volts with a less than 3% voltage drop. #2 aluminum would get you 60 amps.
pattenp
Well-known member
Just an FYI, MHF doesn't come in odd sizes so it's #2, #2/0, #4/0. To use #1 you'll need to buy single THHN/THWN or XHHW or USE/RHH/RHW. The MHF is a made up 4 wire cable so it provides some convenience. What ever wire size you use don't cut yourself short on amp capacity. My experience is if you put in the minimum capacity that you think you need you'll be wishing in the future that you'd put in more.