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Posted: 5/19/2021 4:18:57 PM EDT
[#1]
Won’t hurt to get a 400 amp service. Probably won’t need it though
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Posted: 5/19/2021 4:21:12 PM EDT
[#2]
Kind of what I was thinking. Just thought it would be a good idea to check to make sure I wasn't going overboard.
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Posted: 5/19/2021 4:21:24 PM EDT
[#3]
Most 400A residential services have a 320 A meter base and conductors.
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Posted: 5/19/2021 4:28:57 PM EDT
[#4]
I forgot to mention, there will likely be a cabin for our kids to use when they visit. So basically two houses, shop with welder and two wells.
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Posted: 5/19/2021 4:41:12 PM EDT
[#5]
that smells like more than 200 is better
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Posted: 5/19/2021 4:48:17 PM EDT
[#6]
I'm thinking it is better to request the 400 AMP and not use all that capacity than to get a 200 AMP and risk over loading at times.
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Posted: 5/19/2021 5:03:14 PM EDT
[#7]
200A minimum, but the wire for 400A isn't that much more, the trenching is all the same.
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Posted: 5/19/2021 5:17:35 PM EDT
[#8]
Quote HistoryQuoted: 200A minimum, but the wire for 400A isn't that much more, the trenching is all the same. The wire on the utility side of the meter is about the same…. The load side is a quite a bit different. |
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Posted: 5/19/2021 5:28:54 PM EDT
[#9]
I would go ahead and do the 400 amp service, but things to consider are:
Electric heat? Electric water heater? Pool? Hot tub? Electric stove? Electric clothes dryer? There are many variables to sizing residential services, but you would stress a 200 with all that. Talk with your electrician and plan for future feeders off the service when it is built. For example you can put in a trough that is sized with enough room for three disconnects, or even install them now, then adding the shop and the cabin later will be easy. |
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Posted: 5/19/2021 5:50:31 PM EDT
[#10]
Why two wells? How deep are those wells and how many HP will the well pumps be?
Honestly 200 amp service is likely to do what you need depending on how many other high draw electrical devices there is. If both houses will be 100% electric, then yes the larger service is likely warranted. Will your power company allow one meter for what will be two houses? Some areas may not allow that and others won't have a problem with it so you might want to verify that too. |
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Posted: 5/19/2021 5:58:15 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Will your power company allow one meter for what will be two houses? Some areas may not allow that and others won't have a problem with it so you might want to verify that too. Also is this overhead service or Underground? |
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Posted: 5/19/2021 6:03:57 PM EDT
[#12]
Long term solution is the larger service. Not much cost up front. MASSIVE amount to retro a small service just so Grandmom can keep the AC on.
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Posted: 5/19/2021 6:47:18 PM EDT
[#13]
Quoted: I would go ahead and do the 400 amp service, but things to consider are: Electric heat? Electric water heater? Pool? Hot tub? Electric stove? Electric clothes dryer? There are many variables to sizing residential services, but you would stress a 200 with all that. Talk with your electrician and plan for future feeders off the service when it is built. For example you can put in a trough that is sized with enough room for three disconnects, or even install them now, then adding the shop and the cabin later will be easy. Quoted: Why two wells? How deep are those wells and how many HP will the well pumps be? Honestly 200 amp service is likely to do what you need depending on how many other high draw electrical devices there is. If both houses will be 100% electric, then yes the larger service is likely warranted. Will your power company allow one meter for what will be two houses? Some areas may not allow that and others won't have a problem with it so you might want to verify that too. If most of your fuel is propane (half the cost around here), then 200 amp is fine. We had a 400 amp transformer put on our pole. When I put in the shed, they trenched a separate 200 amp service to it without affecting the house supply. |
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Posted: 5/19/2021 9:20:54 PM EDT
[#14]
If 400 amp is an option (and it is!) then it's the answer.
"Damnit! Wish I'd only got 200 amp service instead of this lousy 400 amp service when I built my house!" said nobody, ever. |
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Posted: 5/20/2021 11:40:56 PM EDT
[#15]
I got the 320A service. One 30*50 shop, one 30*50 climate controlled barn (currently our house), and a future 2400 sq ft house.
200A service to barns200A service to house Obviously can't pull more than 320A. |
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Posted: 5/21/2021 8:26:07 AM EDT
[#16]
Thanks for all the information and advice. To answer a few questions, two wells service the house and the pond or stock tank as I know them.
There will be a approx 2000 sqft all electric home. A large workshop with the typical compressor, welder and various wood working tools. Also a cabin of about 1200 sqft all electric also. Looks like we will request a 200 amp service to begin with. That will service one well, a cabin and a small workshop. As time progress and we make the move to live there full time we will build the larger home and request a second 200 amp service. I'm pretty sure the power company will require two meter to cover all the buildings. |
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Posted: 5/26/2021 7:36:10 PM EDT
[#17]
Technically you would do the math per the NEC to determine your needs...And thats a pain in the butt
So i would go with a 400A service |
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Posted: 5/27/2021 10:22:23 AM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted: If 400 amp is an option (and it is!) then it's the answer. "Damnit! Wish I'd only got 200 amp service instead of this lousy 400 amp service when I built my house!" said nobody, ever. ^^^^^ THIS^^^^^ |
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Posted: 5/27/2021 11:12:25 AM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I forgot to mention, there will likely be a cabin for our kids to use when they visit. So basically two houses, shop with welder and two wells. I would go 400 electric start up loads add up quickly. |
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Posted: 5/27/2021 11:39:40 AM EDT
[#20]
I have one well, small house, stick welder. I wouldn't any less than my 200, you will need more.
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Posted: 5/28/2021 6:01:09 AM EDT
[#21]
Get a 4s CT service.
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Posted: 5/28/2021 9:29:56 AM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Get a 4s CT service. That’s going to cost, and here they would want an engineered load letter. |
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Posted: 6/7/2021 6:59:11 PM EDT
[#23]
UPDATE - We met with the local electric coop distribution design engineer. we walked the property and showed him the home building site, where our well will be and talked about the other things we would eventually build. He suggested we look at a 400 service (320 AMP). We agreed, better to go big now rather than try to upgrade a few years down the road.
Thanks for everyone's input. Oh and the rains we have had over the last month have filled our pond. 
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Posted: 6/7/2021 8:57:03 PM EDT
[#24]
I came here to say 400 amp, no question.
Sounds like you went that way already. I live in a smaller house than your 2k sq feet, and want power to two outbuildings...I already NEED 400 here. For what you plan, I would much rather have plenty. Not enough is a constant aggravation. |
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