Help me design my service pedestal
 

The only building on the property is a barn and I’m in the process of trenching primary to a pad mount transformer.
A house, and eventually maybe, a workshop and a larger barn will be added in the future.
The green rectangles are showing flat building sites that I'm limited to.
The diagrams of the pedestals are not to scale or detailed but just to get a general idea. There will be more space left over for future stuff.
Some of the future buildings may be subbed from other buildings but I know that the house, existing barn, and workshop will come off of the pedestal.
I want to design the pedestal so I don’t have to tear out any existing work, but to add on for the future.

Conduit, raceway, which would be the better choice?

Any suggestions, even for the small details would be greatly appreciated.

I just learned that service can be extended to buildings with 2 unfused hots and a neutral. Am I going about this the wrong way by having the fused disconnects? Can 3 conductor service still be extended on the other side of the generator transfer switch? I would rather stick with 4 conductor if it's safer.

Thanks!!

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I wouldn't suggest disconnects or to have a transfer switch up there.
When you need to do or later change something? Rent a Ditch Witch.

Each building will get it's own sub panel when it gets built.
Don't put too much concrete down or too deep until then.

Interconnections between the buildings will/should be limited to
a few yard lights with 3 and 4 way switching.

KISS.

Your going to need a real on site electrition to look this one over and also help you size the wiring and help you with local codes.

Question #1 for me is why are you dealing with a primary in any way?
Question #2 is how large a service is this as most metered services are limited to 400 amps(320) without the use of CT cabinets.

I doubt he means the line side of the transformer.

I would add a basic cut off switch right after the meter. That way you can cut your service completely off if any maintenance needs to be done on anything else including the generator transfer switch. Also a great way to test the transfer switch by simulating a power outage.

I would also look at maybe adding all the extra stuff in a mini building of some sort, but keep the meter outside so it can be read.

I'm sorry, I don't understand any of your suggestions. If I don't use a pedestal I will get a transformer close to the existing barn with a meter mounted on the barn. Most of the other buildings would be too far to run off of the transformer.

Yes, there will be panels in the buildings.

Lights and switches?

The transfer switch would need to be service rated and should have a main breaker if it's an ATS.

I have to install the conduit...the POCO will pull the primary, install the transformer, run secondary to the meter.

I'm still bouncing back and forth between 200 and 400 amp service. It is no more expensive (POCO) but man is the meter socket and equipment huge. :eek:

The transfer switch will be manual so that would function as a good disconnect. A small generator shed with a lean-to should keep most weather off of the equipment.

Thanks, it will be service rated and manual.

For the pedestal I would suggest as a minimum 4"x6" treated posts an minimum 2x6 treated lumber between the posts.

Thanks you very much brric. This is the kind of information that is very helpful to me. Another important decision is between raceway and conduit for running the conductors and easy add on for the future.

Be advised, service conductors(unfused conductors) should not be in the same raceways as feeders.

Excellent point that I completely overlooked. I can think of some easy ways to get around that but what a mess to go back and redo it after the fact. :whistling2: