[DatGurl505]

I am in Texas and Texas requires the meter pole and service entrance components to be done by the customer. I am a first time do it yourselfer who recently joined the shed to house movement. I went to a local hardware store to buy a ring type 125 amp meter (required) and the wires for the weatherhead. Only problem is the attendants at the store were just as clueless as me. Anyway I came out of the store with 1 gauge Cerro copper wire for a 125 amp meter, nonrefundable. After googling I keep seeing 2 awg for 125. Whats the difference? Which is bigger or better? Can I not use what I bought?

 

[HandyAndyInNC]

For all Electrical work you must follow a strict set of guidelines in the National Electrical Code. You are ok with number 1 AWG. The smaller the number the large the diameter of the conductor. These are things that you should know before even planning this type of work.

Hire a qualified, licensed professional Electrician before you get killed, or kill someone else that is working with you. You do not have the tools, or the experience as to what to do.

 

[georgemcq]

Check with the POCO for your area as they have strict regulations of what they require. Most have a publication on their websites with pictures and details.

 

[DatGurl505]

For all Electrical work you must follow a strict set of guidelines in the National Electrical Code. You are ok with number 1 AWG. The smaller the number the large the diameter of the conductor. These are things that you should know before even planning this type of work.

Hire a qualified, licensed professional Electrician before you get killed, or kill someone else that is working with you. You do not have the tools, or the experience as to what to do.

I completely agree. We have been dreading doing this which is why it was put off for so long. We contacted a professional who wanted $800 for the job. That was before our pole was in the ground. We have the pole in the ground now, our weatherhead, conduit, and wires. Our TDSP have come out and installed a new transformer and have the connecting wires on our pole already just waiting for us to do our part. So with this 1 awg wire can I swing a 200 amp meter socket or would I need a different wire?

 

[Kevin_Essiambre]

I completely agree. We have been dreading doing this which is why it was put off for so long. We contacted a professional who wanted $800 for the job. That was before our pole was in the ground. We have the pole in the ground now, our weatherhead, conduit, and wires. Our TDSP have come out and installed a new transformer and have the connecting wires on our pole already just waiting for us to do our part. So with this 1 awg wire can I swing a 200 amp meter socket or would I need a different wire?

For 200 amps, you will need much larger wiring. IIRC it will have to be 3/0 copper or 4/0 aluminum. I'm not on the NEC code so someone would have to confirm that for me (looking at you @HandyAndyInNC)

The 1 awg you have will work fine for the smaller service size.

Sent from my new phone. Autocorrect may have changed stuff.

 

[ront02769]

One consideration in sizing wire is the distance to be covered. For example, I have the pol, weatherhead, etc.....but then run 300’ underground to the house....so had to figure current drop into the equation. Ron

 

[Oso954]

You will need the 200 amp meter base and the larger wire. You will also (most likely) need larger conduit and a larger weather head. You haven't mentioned a panel/breaker box, but that should also be 200 amp.

You are building something similar to a chain. It doesn't make sense to leave any weak links in it, because it only be good for the smallest sized (or rated) link.

So my question is why this sudden desire to change the service size ?

I think of shed to house as something in the 200-500 sq ft range. Are you working on something bigger ?

Do you have some other large electrical usage that you intend to power off of this service that you haven't told us about ?

The switch can be made, but anything you have already purchased is not usable.

 

[DatGurl505]

You will need the 200 amp meter base and the larger wire. You will also (most likely) need larger conduit and a larger weather head. You haven't mentioned a panel/breaker box, but that should also be 200 amp.

You are building something similar to a chain. It doesn't make sense to leave any weak links in it, because it only be good for the smallest sized (or rated) link.

So my question is why this sudden desire to change the service size ?

I think of shed to house as something in the 200-500 sq ft range. Are you working on something bigger ?

Do you have some other large electrical usage that you intend to power off of this service that you haven't told us about ?

The switch can be made, but anything you have already purchased is not usable.

Well we are in a rural area and will be installing well and septic. Our total sq ft when done will be about 1000. We are joining 3 cabins together to make 1 home. We expect it to be fully functional, washer dryer etc. We just want to make sure we get the right size everything for the job. I haven't yet purchased a meter socket or breaker panel. I have a 2" conduit and the weather head. I stopped at the 1 awg wire because I didn't want to make any mistakes and spend any unnecessary money.