[Phil in Florida]

I am building a new detached garage. The overhead power lines are only about 12 ft. off the ground where the new garage will be sited (see corners in pic). I want to move the service entrance and mast from the back of the house (see 2nd pic) to the pole side of the new garage. I would like to go underground from my main disconnect to the new service entrance on the garage.


Can I build the garage with the lines in the way? If I get a temporary pole and go underground to the house how do I connect when the new service entrance is ready? Do you see my dilemma?

 

[Oso954]

You say you are building it.
Does that mean you have talked with the building dept and know that the new garage location is fine with them ?

In some areas you would not be allowed to build the garage there due to either frontal setback or possibly even a side setback.

Once you know the location is ok, you then talk to the POCO about the project. In most areas, they are the final word on where a new service location can go in.

They can also help with a temporary relocation of your overhead drop to swing it away from the actual construction site.

 

[Phil in Florida]

Yes Oso I have talked with the city about setback and with the poco about the location. They told me then that I could not have the power line that close over the roof of the garage.


We did not discuss the issue I detailed in the first post. I thought it might be useful to ask on this forum before I call them out again. They may not be much help so it would be good to know my options before they come.

 

[Old Thomas]

I do almost everything my self but one exception is an entrance service. I have an electrician do it start to finish. In NY to avoid being without power it requires a permit and then coordinating with the inspector and power company. My son’s electrician knows them and makes a few calls for a seamless process. If I did it I would be without power while I made 3 trips for parts, then the inspector would be too busy and he would show up late, then it would be after hours for the utility and my wife would be pissed off from living in the dark.

 

[seharper]

Can you do all the underground conduit and foundation work (remember the UFER ground), bring the pipe into the existing box, bring it up where the new box will go... and then build the wall that the new meter and main will be mounted on?

Then pull the wires through the conduit from the new meter-main to the old main, attach em to the thru-lugs, bring em into the old (still energized) box and just coil 'em up.


Then the power company comes out, moves your drop and meter, now the meter main is energized, main breaker off. Pull the supply lines off the old main breaker, connect that feeder you had coiled up to your old main breaker, double-check, and go snap the breaker in the new panel. Should light right up. Could have the whole thing done 2 hours after the PoCo leaves.


Then, build the rest of your garage.

 

[Old Thomas]

Our power companies will not show up unless they have a favorable inspection report in hand.

 

[Phil in Florida]

Thanks everyone. I am a DIY guy and discussion is most always helpful.
Here is what I think Harper is suggesting:
Get permit and tell inspector the following plan:

1. Prepare the ground for slab with overhead lines in place.
2. Run the conduit from the house panel to the new service entrance location with no conductors in conduit.
3. Concrete contractor pours the slab with conduit protruding from ground on edge of new slab.
4. Build the walls with studs, sheathing, and siding with energized power lines above.
5. Attach new disconnect, sub panel, and mast to conduit.
6. Poco comes out and disconnects overhead lines.
7. Pull conductors from house to new service entrance.
8. Call for inspection. Poco comes out and connects new mast.
9. Finish roof and garage with mast in place.


I am not sure the new power lines will be in a much safer position for the guys framing and installing the 8/12 roof. Unless we can frame the roof between step 6 and 8. The power could be out for quite awhile if we do that. Can a roof be built with a live mast on one wall?