[viper]

We are building a tiny home in a remote location and will not have rural electric run and will rely on a generator.

Our local code guy has indicated it needs a "100A service" and seems to be hinging on IRC code. Under CH36, there is nothing I can see that would require a 100A service but does indicate the "conductor size" shall be sized for 100A.

it further runs through the calculations for sizing the service in which I am at approx 40-50A. Because a generator is most efficient at higher loads, installing a generator that is too big is not ideal.

Does anyone see something written in code that requires the actual service size to be 100A or more? I do understand that it appears I will have to install conductors for 100A though.

 

[Kevin_Essiambre]

I'm not 100% sure about where you are, but the city I am in, minimum service size is 100 amps, except for billboards, which are permitted to be 30 amps.

It may be a local requirement or a requirement from the POCO.

this is all I can contribute to this.

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

 

[Oso954]

I’d talk to your local code officials to see if your tiny house needs to adhere to that section. If they say your house is a one family dwelling by the code, yes it needs 100 amp service.

If they say they consider it to be a structure other than a one family dwelling, the code calls for 60 amps.

They may even have a Tiny house code that states something different, or they can simply waive the above code numbers for your special circumstances.

There are a lot of other NEC code requirements (basis for the IRC requirements) that also may be excessive in a tiny house build, that you may need to discuss with them.

 

[Old Thomas]

New York has Amish and Mennonites who do not use electricity in their houses. To accommodate them, the NY code has an exception allowing residential one and two family houses without any electricity. Since none is ok, adding some at whatever amount off the grid is ok, too. If it were mine and the option for none was available but the inspector said with electric I needed 100A, I would build it with none and add a generator after I had my C of O.

 

[viper]

Our county does not differentiate between a 500sf home and a 50sf home. However, I might become Amish........lol If there is a loophole, I want to know about it.

They require running water (potable), electric, plumbing (full sewer system), etc.

 

[joed]

You seem to be indicating that a 100 amp service would also require a 100 amp generator.

Because a generator is most efficient at higher loads, installing a generator that is too big is not ideal.

You should still be able to install a generator of any size you choose to the 100 amp service.
Also since 100 amp panel are so common it would probably not be any more expensive than smaller size panel. You are already installing the 100 amp size cables.

 

[viper]

I think there is probably some language issue here, thus my reason for asking but around here "service" means capable of 100A. Conductor size is a different matter. I take it no one has looked at the applicable code?

 

[Old Thomas]

The code references service conductors. You don’t have what is typically considered to be a service. That said, aluminum service wire doesn’t cost much. Throw in a piece from your generator to your panel and tell him you complied with the requirement for service conductors. I have read the code with inspectors and showed them their mistakes. If he cannot point to the code requiring a service of 100A not conductors for 100A, you are correct. Most places with the IRC have modifications, and I only know what NY requires.

 

[Missouri Bound]

Wire your panel with conductors suitable for a 100 amp service.
Were you going to hard wire your generator or plug it in?
The IRC code does not say you have to have a 100 amp service, just that you have to have conductorss capable of handling one.
As long as the panel is wired up to your point of connection with suitable conductors you are "by the book". But from experience, the inspector has the last say so. Waving the code book in front of him may not be the right course of action.
And yes, I did look at the code. Tiny homes fall under residential one and two family dwellings, same as with NEC codes.

 

[viper]

I just wanted to confirm I was absorbing the IRC the same way because the code guy sure said you "must have a 100A service" and I will bet they mean capable of 100A. I usually ask politely for the exact code reference, in which I get crickets, in which they either buckle or I climb the ladder.

This moves me forward to what other BS I can sidestep. I mean, I can outright tell them "I am never going to actually live in this, I just want to signed off as a house for tax reasons" and they will STILL say crap like "well you must have an oven for cooking".... And where is that code reference? I honestly do 90% of my cooking on an outdoor grill and for good reason.

What I am REALLY trying to avoid is building a full septic system per their standards. I have actually spent months in septic engineering and have two systems now that I have completely remediated from full failure. In short, I know ****, but I don't need the county to tell me to do it their way.

"But how do you get clean?" .......Santi-wipes.........lmao.....

 

[Missouri Bound]

Too bad you didn't build it on a flatbed trailer.
All the residential codes go away.

 

[viper]

I can't get that to fly as a "permanent dwelling" in my area. There actually was quite a fight recently and the county granted a permit as a " single RV park" but the neighbors were NOT happy.

 

[Kevin_Essiambre]

I just wanted to confirm I was absorbing the IRC the same way because the code guy sure said you "must have a 100A service" and I will bet they mean capable of 100A. I usually ask politely for the exact code reference, in which I get crickets, in which they either buckle or I climb the ladder.

This moves me forward to what other BS I can sidestep. I mean, I can outright tell them "I am never going to actually live in this, I just want to signed off as a house for tax reasons" and they will STILL say crap like "well you must have an oven for cooking".... And where is that code reference? I honestly do 90% of my cooking on an outdoor grill and for good reason.

What I am REALLY trying to avoid is building a full septic system per their standards. I have actually spent months in septic engineering and have two systems now that I have completely remediated from full failure. In short, I know ****, but I don't need the county to tell me to do it their way.

"But how do you get clean?" .......Santi-wipes.........lmao.....

I would ask them if a holding tank would satisfy their septic requirements. At least with a holding tank, it's less expensive and less to install.

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

 

[Oldmaster]

I'm not sure you have a service. My understanding is that a service is only established if a utility supplies power.

 

[viper]

LOL, this is how gayness happens. The definition states that a service is the conductors and equipment to connect to the utility..... Now who is the utility? It would appear I am....

It would stand to reason (and is already happening) that more and more people will become energy independent so the code book or locals need to grab a gear.

I am going to have to examine if i really even need 120/240 because though it is typical from the "utility", it may not really be required and I may not have any 240V loads for this pony show.