Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Electrician Question

I have 200amp service at my house.

I want to run 100amp service to a garage out back.

It's 275 feet away. I will rent a trencher, and run it in conduit underground.

The garage is small 24x32 probably.

I want to be able to run everything in there without worrying about not having enough.

220, welder, furnace, lights, tools, I want to have plenty and not need to worry about it.

What wire do I need to get this 275 feet.

Thanks

- Jake

This is what I'm coming up with. Is this right?



- Jake

Think you’ll be ahead to just get your electric provider to put in another 200 A drop.

There are better folks than I to answer. I'll agree with 200 amp. I don't think conduit is needed.

I wouldn’t doubt it

Are you referring to cost? Or reliability?

Cost will be cheaper long term to run my own line to avoid paying the monthly service fee for a second service.

If it's a reliability issue due to the length... then I'll get another service. I want it to be usable and reliable.

- Jake

Copy. I'm just gathering info. If dropping another service is the right way that's what I'll do

- Jake

You might get away with smaller than a 100 amp just for a furnace and a welder .

2/0 Copper is way more than needed. Are you going to feed from a breaker in the house? 2 awg copper is probably enough 1 awg copper is plenty. Aluminum 1/0 or 2/0 is plenty. The old school taught us increase 1 size for 300 feet of wire.

If you don't have to pay for utility poles etc Ironbenders advice is solid. If you're going to trench for communications probably better off doing both.

Good luck and shoot straight y'all

I don't want to get away with anything orgo the minimum. Want to do it right. I'm early 30s and no idea what I may get into some day. Want to run this the right way the first time.

- Jake

I'll vote for aluminum

Just get another service meter. You’ll be way ahead.

Yep iffn I was needing 200 amps then I would add another meter box. Prolly cheaper as well?

How much is the anticipated maximum load needed from the 200amp service for the house lighting, heating, cooking etc., and do you really have 100amp of spare capacity?

To be clear, I’m not an electrician. It sounds like the garage is essentially going to be a shop. 100 amp May be sufficient. Don’t know what the voltage drop at 275 feet will be. You said you don’t know what your future needs will be. It would be hard to max out a 200 A service.

Good luck.

Pros and cons. Check with your utility company on your options. The home owner is responsible past the meter. A new service usually would be maintained by the utility company to the meter. If you plan to add solar, think it through. Also separate service you would be able to write off the shop bill on your taxes. If allowed someone down the road may be able to convert to guest quarters if allowed. My 2 cents.

That is sounding like the right way...

I'm leaning towards a new service.

I've got a call in to a friend of a friend electrician.... hopefully he'll guide me in the right way. I do most of my own work. But admittedly don't know squat about electricity.

- Jake

Pull up an ampacity chart for the type of wire you will be using. Select wire size that matches your desired amperage. This will be a starting point.

Next use an online voltage drop calculator to determine final size based on run length. You want the voltage drop percentage to be less than 3%. At 275' you will probably need to bump up a couple gauge sizes to get below 3%.

Make sure breakers and lugs will handle the upsized wiring. Select appropriate conduit size and have "fun".