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Wire size

Sumboodie

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Need to send power to a shed. About 50ft run. Will either come off meter panel or be a subpanel off shop. shop is only 100 amp, #2 wire though, so looking into a 4 breaker meter panel.

It has a 5hp and 3hp air compressor, 2 oil boilers (figure 10 amps each max, more like 5 running), 10 amp air dryer, couple lights, maybe a hanging water to air heater, couple courtesy outlets

My math is working that 60 amp would be more than plenty? #2 4 wire wire is about $3.25 a foot. #4 is about $1 less
 
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wyliesdiesels

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Need to send power to a shed. About 50ft run. Will either come off meter panel or be a subpanel off shop. shop is only 100 amp, #2 wire though, so looking into a 4 breaker meter panel.

hopefully the wire is #2 copper. why would you need a 4 space meter main here?

It has a 5hp and 3hp air compressor, 2 oil boilers (figure 10 amps each max, more like 5 running), 10 amp air dryer, couple lights, maybe a hanging water to air heater, couple courtesy outlets

My math is working that 60 amp would be more than plenty?

Are you running this all at once?

The 2 compressors alone may be pushing 35-40a. everything else could push you over 60a

#2 4 wire wire is about $3.25 a foot. #4 is about $1 less

#2 cu or al is way overkill for 60a. you would only need #6 THWN or #4 AL w/ #10 cu or #8 al EGC
 
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Sumboodie

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hopefully the wire is #2 copper. why would you need a 4 space meter main here?



Are you running this all at once?

The 2 compressors alone may be pushing 35-40a. everything else could push you over 60a



#2 cu or al is way overkill for 60a. you would only need #6 THWN or #4 AL w/ #10 cu or #8 al EGC
#2 aluminum is rated to 100 amps for main feeder wire. It's a very common size used here so in stock and not crazy money. 2-2-2-4 SER they call it. 1/0 and 4/0 are fairly common too.

Breaker for future house, current shop, current shed and an outlet at meter required by power company. 4 breakers. May need 5 if I put the generator over by the meter.

Yes, could all be on at once.

#6 THHN x4 wires is around $3.95 a foot plus would need conduit so more money for less capacity. #6 UF is around $6 a foot.
 
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mm08822

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#2 aluminum is rated to 100 amps for main feeder wire. It's a very common size used here so in stock and not crazy money. 2-2-2-4 SER they call it. 1/0 and 4/0 are fairly common too.

Breaker for future house, current shop, current shed and an outlet at meter required by power company. 4 breakers. May need 5 if I put the generator over by the meter.

Yes, could all be on at once.

#6 THHN x4 wires is around $3.95 a foot plus would need conduit so more money for less capacity. #6 UF is around $6 a foot.
#2 AL is only rated for 90a. If you happen to be using the 90C ampacity column then that is wrong to do so b/c the hardware it is connected is only rated for 60/75C.

And for another possible exception that wont apply in your case, feeders are not service entrance conductors.
 
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