J Eickholtz
New Member
I'm new to the forum, hoping some knowledgeable guys can help me out. I'm pretty sure the only code I need to worry about is National Electric Code (NEC) and I have done the best research I can.
Current situation:
-100 Amp meter socket
-100 Amp? panel for house.
-30 amp breaker for garage, not sure the cable is big enough for that, but it's there.
-Pretty sure the panel is overloaded and I don't think I have a Main breaker. Not sure how this got through, I guess codes were easier back in '69.
Goal:
-200 amp meter socket
-100 amp panel for house
-100 amp panel for garage (I want to weld @ 50 amps and have plenty of room for more)
My current plan:
-Power company has to install the new meter socket. If possible I will use the Siemens MC0408B1200T to eliminate my main panel. It is basically a meter socket that has spaces for large breakers.
-If the power company uses their own socket, which I think they will, I'll use 4/0-4/0-4/0-2/0 Aluminum MHF wire to the main panel. Is there a better/cheaper wire I can use for this? Do I need a bare ground? The run will be pretty short; straight from the socket into the panel in the basement.
-2 x 100 Amp breakers, 1 for each subpanel.
-2-2-2-4 Aluminum Mobile Home Feeder (MHF) wire to each subpanel
-House panel is now a subpanel.
-2" metal conduit 6" under concrete from the house to the garage. I think I can go down to 1.5" conduit but I want some room just in case.
-100 Amp subpanel in garage
Running to the garage is a challenge. It's detached and there is nothing but concrete and HUGE trees between the 2. I plan to trench out the concrete and run metal conduit under the fresh patch. Do I need to go 4 inches or 6 inches below grade? Do I need Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC) or can I use Electrical Metal Tubing (EMT)? The MHF is safe underground if it's in conduit, right? I have to go all the way across the house (25+40=65ft) and then about 9-10ft underground to the garage.
I have also thought about tunneling between the 2 buildings, starting from the basement and aiming for a 6"x30" patch of dirt next to the garage. Anyone ever tried something like this? I am concerned that there will be roots in there because the canopy from 2 trees intersects about where I need my conduit run.
I could also exchange my main panel for a 200 Amp, then run my garage off that. Either way I have to buy a new 200 amp panel and a new 100 amp panel, but with my plan I don't have to re-wire every breaker in my house, and I can buy a 200 amp panel with le$$ breaker spaces.
My last question is about inspection. Will they need to see the conduit before I cover it with concrete? What about after?
Current situation:
-100 Amp meter socket
-100 Amp? panel for house.
-30 amp breaker for garage, not sure the cable is big enough for that, but it's there.
-Pretty sure the panel is overloaded and I don't think I have a Main breaker. Not sure how this got through, I guess codes were easier back in '69.
Goal:
-200 amp meter socket
-100 amp panel for house
-100 amp panel for garage (I want to weld @ 50 amps and have plenty of room for more)
My current plan:
-Power company has to install the new meter socket. If possible I will use the Siemens MC0408B1200T to eliminate my main panel. It is basically a meter socket that has spaces for large breakers.
-If the power company uses their own socket, which I think they will, I'll use 4/0-4/0-4/0-2/0 Aluminum MHF wire to the main panel. Is there a better/cheaper wire I can use for this? Do I need a bare ground? The run will be pretty short; straight from the socket into the panel in the basement.
-2 x 100 Amp breakers, 1 for each subpanel.
-2-2-2-4 Aluminum Mobile Home Feeder (MHF) wire to each subpanel
-House panel is now a subpanel.
-2" metal conduit 6" under concrete from the house to the garage. I think I can go down to 1.5" conduit but I want some room just in case.
-100 Amp subpanel in garage
Running to the garage is a challenge. It's detached and there is nothing but concrete and HUGE trees between the 2. I plan to trench out the concrete and run metal conduit under the fresh patch. Do I need to go 4 inches or 6 inches below grade? Do I need Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC) or can I use Electrical Metal Tubing (EMT)? The MHF is safe underground if it's in conduit, right? I have to go all the way across the house (25+40=65ft) and then about 9-10ft underground to the garage.
I have also thought about tunneling between the 2 buildings, starting from the basement and aiming for a 6"x30" patch of dirt next to the garage. Anyone ever tried something like this? I am concerned that there will be roots in there because the canopy from 2 trees intersects about where I need my conduit run.
I could also exchange my main panel for a 200 Amp, then run my garage off that. Either way I have to buy a new 200 amp panel and a new 100 amp panel, but with my plan I don't have to re-wire every breaker in my house, and I can buy a 200 amp panel with le$$ breaker spaces.
My last question is about inspection. Will they need to see the conduit before I cover it with concrete? What about after?
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