[Robpo]

Hi all. I am running a new pole barn 200 Amp service. According to NEC 2008 what size aluminum wire do I need to the meter and to the barn. The weather head is about 20" above meter and it is 30 feet underground to the barn. Thanks, Rob.

 

[brric]

As it is not a dwelling unit 250 kcmil is the minimum.

 

[Arrow3030]

Be careful of jam ratio when sizing the conduit

 

[Robpo]

As it is not a dwelling unit 250 kcmil is the minimum.

Thanks
What is that in AWG and do the conductors and neutral have to be the same. Do I need a separate ground or can I ground to the neutral. I know the meter needs a ground.

 

[Robpo]

Be careful of jam ratio when sizing the conduit

Thanks. Building is wired and passed inspection.

 

[brric]

Thanks
What is that in AWG and do the conductors and neutral have to be the same. Do I need a separate ground or can I ground to the neutral. I know the meter needs a ground.

That is AWG.
250,000 circular mils.

 

[Robpo]

That is AWG.
250,000 circular mils.

So when I go to Homedepot, what do I ask for?

 

[Oso954]

I would get on the phone and call around.
Home Depot doesn't carry it to my knowledge. I would try electrical supply houses.
Since you are looking for shorter lengths, some outfits may have to order it from their cutting location.

You ask for 250kcmil aluminum.

 

[Robpo]

I would get on the phone and call around.
Home Depot doesn't carry it to my knowledge. I would try electrical supply houses.
Since you are looking for shorter lengths, some outfits may have to order it from their cutting location.

You ask for 250kcmil aluminum.

Thanks. I am not going to have a lot of power in the building. I wonder if the inspector will let me get away with 4 AWG. If I would have known I would have gone 100 Amp. It is not easy getting supplies around here.

 

[gregzoll]

Go to the local Electrical warehouse. They will be better and also will make sure that you have everything that you need.

The big box stores, you end up wasting more time waiting on someone to help you.

 

[Robpo]

Go to the local Electrical warehouse. They will be better and also will make sure that you have everything that you need.

The big box stores, you end up wasting more time waiting on someone to help you.

Thanks, I just called the only one around and they said they would have to order it. I am waiting for the inspector to get back to me to see if I can use 4 Awg.

 

[gregzoll]

Most places are like that, because they are ordering enough for just the customer's job.

The spool would end up being bigger then they could handle, if they actually had to keep it on hand.

If the min. is say 6, you can go larger if you want to say 2. I imagine if you order before 4, they may get it in on Monday. Otherwise you are probably loking at Wed.

 

[brric]

Non-dwelling unit requires minimum #3 copper or #1 aluminum for 100 amps.

 

[Robpo]

Most places are like that, because they are ordering enough for just the customer's job.

The spool would end up being bigger then they could handle, if they actually had to keep it on hand.

If the min. is say 6, you can go larger if you want to say 2. I imagine if you order before 4, they may get it in on Monday. Otherwise you are probably loking at Wed.

I am still hoping the inspector will say 4 awg. He might not even know. We are pretty rural out here.

 

[Robpo]

Non-dwelling unit requires minimum #3 copper or #1 aluminum for 100 amps.

My wife wanted 200 amps. You know how that goes. Had I known I would have talked her into 100 amps. It would have been plenty.

 

[electures]

4/0 AL is rated for 185A. Unless your calculated load exceeds 185A, that is all you need. Save your money.

 

[electures]

I am still hoping the inspector will say 4 awg. He might not even know. We are pretty rural out here.

The inspector may tell you whatever meets code.

 

[Oso954]

I am waiting for the inspector to get back to me to see if I can use 4 Awg.

Not if you are running a 200 amp service to the pole building.
If you are running power to the pole building from a service panel at the meter location, you can install a smaller breaker in that panel, and limit the service/wire size to the pole building.

If for example you used a 60 amp feeder breaker, your wire would be sized on the 60 amps, even if you installed a 100 or 150 amp panel in the pole building. It's still a 60 amp service to the building. Get a main breaker type panel for the pole building, you need a main disconnect there.

BTW, is your weather head really 20 inches above the meter ? I assume you meant 20 feet.

 

[Robpo]

The inspector just called. I told him I was going 30" from meter to barn with 200 amps and he did some calculations and said I could use 1 awg easily.

 

[Robpo]

Not if you are running a 200 amp service to the pole building.
If you are running power to the pole building from a service panel at the meter location, you can install a smaller breaker in that panel, and limit the service/wire size to the pole building.

If for example you used a 60 amp feeder breaker, your wire would be sized on the 60 amps, even if you installed a 100 or 150 amp panel in the pole building. It's still a 60 amp service to the building. Get a main breaker type panel for the pole building, you need a main disconnect there.

BTW, is your weather head really 20 inches above the meter ? I assume you meant 20 feet.

Yeah I got a little mixed up under stress. I feel better now.
That is a good idea I didn"t think of that. I may do that sometime down the line. Can I just get a new main breaker. The panel is installed.