I'm in the process of building a new detached garage, doing a good majority of the work myself. Garage is standing, and I'm starting to dot the I's and cross the T's on the electrical. I have a couple of questions if some of you don't mind chiming in with advice.
The garage sits ~80ft away from the main panel in the house. New wire capable of 200A service has been recently run to the house, but the box in the house is currently 100A. I intend to upgrade this panel after the garage is finished.
I'm looking to send 40-60A out to the garage. I've planned on having a sub box with at least 6 circuits available, two of them used for a 240V receptacle. the other 4 will be used for lighting, garage door opener, and receptacles for tools.
Q1: I've planned on running copper, 6/3-WG, to the garage underground in schedule 40. Adequate for my amperage needs? I've heard some say that due to the length I might need to go #4.
Q2: Some people have suggested aluminum would be cheaper, but a few electricians I've talked to (mostly retired guys) are insistent on NOT touching the stuff. Any thoughts on aluminum?
Q3: I can't seem to find a decent panel for the garage with a 40-60A main breaker. I intend on running from a double 40-60A breaker on the house box. I know that the garage requires a disconnect as well. Is it OK to have a 100A breaker at the garage box as long as the house breakers are 40-60A? Will the electrician doing my inspection freak over that, or is it common practice?
Q4: How many grounding rods should I sink at the garage? Dimensions are 20' x 30', it's been suggested to drop one near the box, and one at an opposing corner.
Thanks in advance to anyone who replies, apologies if I've botched any terminology.
The garage sits ~80ft away from the main panel in the house. New wire capable of 200A service has been recently run to the house, but the box in the house is currently 100A. I intend to upgrade this panel after the garage is finished.
I'm looking to send 40-60A out to the garage. I've planned on having a sub box with at least 6 circuits available, two of them used for a 240V receptacle. the other 4 will be used for lighting, garage door opener, and receptacles for tools.
Q1: I've planned on running copper, 6/3-WG, to the garage underground in schedule 40. Adequate for my amperage needs? I've heard some say that due to the length I might need to go #4.
Q2: Some people have suggested aluminum would be cheaper, but a few electricians I've talked to (mostly retired guys) are insistent on NOT touching the stuff. Any thoughts on aluminum?
Q3: I can't seem to find a decent panel for the garage with a 40-60A main breaker. I intend on running from a double 40-60A breaker on the house box. I know that the garage requires a disconnect as well. Is it OK to have a 100A breaker at the garage box as long as the house breakers are 40-60A? Will the electrician doing my inspection freak over that, or is it common practice?
Q4: How many grounding rods should I sink at the garage? Dimensions are 20' x 30', it's been suggested to drop one near the box, and one at an opposing corner.
Thanks in advance to anyone who replies, apologies if I've botched any terminology.