Electrician help

[denowt]

I am in the process of building a shop and now I have questions on how to power it.
My house currently has a 125amp panel with the meter on the house.
I am getting the powerco to upgrade my service to 200amps and install the meter and 200amp, 8 space panel on the transformer pole.
I will be running the wires after that point.
My question is, what would be the best option to accomplish that?

Option 1:
Run 4/0-4/0-4/0-2/0 Al wire from 200amp panel at the meter to the shop's 200amp panel.
Then run 4/0-4/0-4/0-2/0 Al wire from the feed-thru lugs in the shop's panel to the house panel.

Option 2:
Run 4/0-4/0-4/0-2/0 Al wire from 200amp panel at the meter to the shop's 200amp panel.
Then run 1/0-1/0-1/0-2 Al wire from a 125amp breaker in the shop's panel to the house panel.

Option 3:
Run 4/0-4/0-4/0-2/0 Al wire from 200amp panel at the meter to the shop's 200amp panel.
Then run 1/0-1/0-1/0-2 Al wire from a 125amp breaker in the meter panel to the house.

All of these options would run all cables in underground conduit.

Option 4:
Run 4/0-4/0-4/0-2/0 Al wire from 200amp panel at the meter to the shop's 200amp panel.
Leave existing overhead cable feeding house from pole and connect it to a 125amp breaker into the meter panel.

Which option is best and why?
What wire insulation rating would be appropriate? SER, SEU, URD, etc

TIA

[denowt]

Rough drawing of building layout

[Gummi Bear]

What are you doing in the shop? Is it hust a hobby space, or do you plan to run a business out of it? What loads do you plan to have (and how often)?

Then, we can discuss feeders.


"It has been my experience that folks who have no vices, have very few virtues" - Abraham Lincoln

[enewman]

Ok I'm guessing house is gas heat. No reason for 200 amp at house. Now not all panels will except a 125 amp breaker so make sure it will fit. Do you need 200 amp in the shop. That's a lot if just a house shop. So I would look at opt 2 or 3. Which ever is shorter and easier to get to the house.


I was writing when you posted picture. So your looking 15 ft difference to house. Either one not that much of price difference. So which ever is easy

[denowt]

What are you doing in the shop? Is it hust a hobby space, or do you plan to run a business out of it? What loads do you plan to have (and how often)?

Then, we can discuss feeders.


"It has been my experience that folks who have no vices, have very few virtues" - Abraham Lincoln

It'll be just a hobby shop for personal use.
I plan to have a welder and possibly a vehicle lift in the future.
Other than lights, the main loads will likely be an air compressor and various power tools.
I realize 200amp may be overkill for my needs, but I thought the same when I had a new panel installed on the house a few years ago.
If I had installed a 200amp panel on the house instead of the current 125amp panel, I wouldn't have this situation now.

Ok I'm guessing house is gas heat. No reason for 200 amp at house. Now not all panels will except a 125 amp breaker so make sure it will fit. Do you need 200 amp in the shop. That's a lot if just a house shop. So I would look at opt 2 or 3. Which ever is shorter and easier to get to the house.


I was writing when you posted picture. So your looking 15 ft difference to house. Either one not that much of price difference. So which ever is easy

House is entirely electric, no gas at all, but it's a small house ~900sqf
I'll be sure to make sure the 125amp breaker will fit in my panel if I go with that option.
Option 1 will eliminate the need for a breaker in the shop's panel, but has an increased cost for the bigger(unnecessary) wire. I haven't yet calculated if the increased wire cost is greater than the breaker cost.

I just received a call back from the powerco.
Option 4 is not possible without setting a jump pole which runs over $2k, so that option is out.

[enewman]

I would just do the 125 to house then. At 900 sqf. The heater should not be more then a 10 kw max so 40 amps. So I'm still option 2 or 3.

[denowt]

I would just do the 125 to house then. At 900 sqf. The heater should not be more then a 10 kw max so 40 amps. So I'm still option 2 or 3.

House will remain 125 with all options.
IIRC, the heater is on a 30amp breaker.

Option 3 will depend on what type of panel the powerco installs.

The 15' difference will not matter much either way.
The extra wire would be about $50, nothing when included with the $1000 for the 200amp upgrade.

[enewman]

Sounds like you got. Just got to get the digging started. Good luck.

[denowt]

From what I have researched I believe SER cable is the correct choice for underground conduit, 4/0 is the correct size for 200amps, and 2/0 is correct for 125amps.
Is that correct?

Also, when wiring sub-panels, the neutral and ground are separated in the sub-panel and ran all the way back to the main panel, which in my case would be the powerco-installed panel at the meter, correct?

Did I overlook anything else?

[enewman]

I don't use aluminum so I would have to look up and see.

Now for the sub feed panel. The main is on the pole so the ground and neutral will be tied to gether in that panel only when you leave that panel you now need four wires. Two hots a neutral and a ground. And they are separated in the sub feed panels.

You do need to watch for the dryer and oven hook ups in the old panel at house. Both of them may only have three wire. If so and if you separate the grounds and neutrals in that panel you will have to move the ground wire for them two items to the neutral side. As the ground wire for them to have current draw. Hope that makes since.


I looked aluminum up. According to code 2/0 for 125 amp but 250 for 200 amp. 4/0 is rated for 180.

[the-butcher]

From what I have researched I believe SER cable is the correct choice for underground conduit, 4/0 is the correct size for 200amps, and 2/0 is correct for 125amps.
Is that correct?

Also, when wiring sub-panels, the neutral and ground are separated in the sub-panel and ran all the way back to the main panel, which in my case would be the powerco-installed panel at the meter, correct?

Did I overlook anything else?

This will work all day.

[denowt]

I looked aluminum up. According to code 2/0 for 125 amp but 250 for 200 amp. 4/0 is rated for 180.

The wire is rated for 90*, so wouldn't that put it at 205amps?

[enewman]

By code you have to use the c rating of what the wire ties to. The lugs. They are rated at 75c. So by code 4/0 is incorrect. If this is being inspected by an inspector it would fail. The 90c chart is for derate purpose

Now in all reality the 4/0 will be fine.

[denowt]

By code you have to use the c rating of what the wire ties to. The lugs. They are rated at 75c. So by code 4/0 is incorrect. If this is being inspected by an inspector it would fail. The 90c chart is for derate purpose

Now in all reality the 4/0 will be fine.

This is where the electric codes become confusing for me.
The powerco is running 4/0 wire on their side of the meter, but code says it's too small for me?

I can't even find a supplier that sells wire bigger than 4/0

[DeepDownSouth]

Denowt: I just Sent you a PM