Electrical Advice for New Shop

[James & Zelma Litzmann]

Hey everyone! Well, after many years James is finally getting his own shop for his woodworking. My question or should I say his question is what size/kind of electrical cable would he need to run 200 amps, 300 feet. Here is one that we’ve found but not 100% sure it will work. Not sure if the link is allowed, if not please delete.

https://www.wireandcableyourway.com/500-500-350-rider-underground-distribution-cable.html?utm_source=google-shopping&utm_medium=shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsIGr7_D64wIVGo7ICh2gNQA1EAQYASAB EgILO_D_BwE

Any advise is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Zelma

[Scott Brader]

There are far too many variables to simply recommend a cable. I work in the electrical utility industry and I wouldn't mess with running a 200A service to my shop. I'd either have the local utility create a new service at the shop or pay a local electrician to do the work if it's going to sub off your existing service. That ensures that it will be done to code and properly inspected (assuming inspections are required in your municipality).

Scott

[Robert Engel]

I'd like to jump in here and say IMO forums are not the place to be asking electrical questions of this nature.

That said, does your local government allow homeowners to install power services?

When I had a dedicated service run to my shop, I had to have a permit and hire an electrician or the power company would not install the transformer. The county will issue a homeowners permit for basic wiring, but a service has to be installed by a licensed electrician.

Of course, doing it my self never even entered my mind...........just 2¢

[Jim Becker]

I agree with the comment about too many variables...wire type, distance, method of installation, local codes, etc., all factor in to what is required. Your best resource for this is a licensed electrician who is familiar with both national code and local code.

[Frank Pratt]

I'm an electrician & have done this kind of installation many, many times. But I won't offer any advice other that what has been given above. There are lots of variables and each jurisdiction has different rules. And this is definitely is not a DIY project. Hire a pro.

200A is a lot for a 1 person shop. What size will it be?

[Darcy Warner]

I'm an electrician & have done this kind of installation many, many times. But I won't offer any advice other that what has been given above. There are lots of variables and each jurisdiction has different rules. And this is definitely is not a DIY project. Hire a pro.

200A is a lot for a 1 person shop. What size will it be?

Maybe a DIY type that really has no clue, but it doesn't take much research to find ampacity charts, voltage drop info, etc.

I have 1400 Amps and I am afraid it may not be enough in the near future.

[Frank Pratt]

Maybe a DIY type that really has no clue, but it doesn't take much research to find ampacity charts, voltage drop info, etc.

There's a WHOLE lot more to the installation than that. Ampacity & voltage drop are the easy parts.

[Darcy Warner]

There's a WHOLE lot more to the installation than that. Ampacity & voltage drop are the easy parts.

They asked nothing about installing it, only if that was the correct wire, so like I said easy enough to find ampacity and voltage drop info.

Notice I didn't explain anything to them.

I am not a licensed electrician, but I have no issues with complicated motor controls, running 480v, 240v 3phase, transformers, etc. I am technically a DIY, but not the kind that goes to HD asking the warm body in the department's how to do something.

[Roger Feeley]

Hey everyone! Well, after many years James is finally getting his own shop for his woodworking. My question or should I say his question is what size/kind of electrical cable would he need to run 200 amps, 300 feet. Here is one that we’ve found but not 100% sure it will work. Not sure if the link is allowed, if not please delete.

https://www.wireandcableyourway.com/500-500-350-rider-underground-distribution-cable.html?utm_source=google-shopping&utm_medium=shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsIGr7_D64wIVGo7ICh2gNQA1EAQYASAB EgILO_D_BwE

Any advise is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Zelma

Yikes! 200A is a lot. My shop runs nicely on 70. Are you welding? Do you have multiple people running machines at the same time? Or are you just thinking ahead?

My shop has 20 4' LED fixtures that draw about 700 watts.
Add to that my 1.5HP dust collector and a machine. My biggest is probably the 3HP table saw. I don't imagine that I come anywhere near the 70A.

To be fair, I don't count HVAC because I'm in my basement so that's a load. But still...

[Jim Becker]

I have 200 amp service to my shop...it was originally only 50 amp when it was a garage for the previous owners. 200 amp was pretty much the same cost as 100 amp, so that's what got installed and at this point I appreciate it with HVAC, DC and machinery running simultaneously.

[Tom Dixon]

My electrical company in TN will run the cable for free for a new service but they require a certified electrician to install the meter box and breaker panel to get that free run from the transformer to the Meter box. I would first investigate if your electrical company has a similar program.

[Jon Snider]

I too have 200 amps to my shop and when my 3 phase idler is on plus DC and table saw, plus someone else on the planer or jointer, I’m glad to have it. I have plenty of reserve right now but might have a CNC going concurrently in future. As Jim pointed out, it was much more to go from 100 to 200.

[Bill Dufour]

300 foot run is 600 feet on most tables so you will need to upsize the cable. How is your existing voltage and is the service drop able to handle another 200 amps? If your are in the country can the main line supply 400 amps?
Bil lD

[roger wiegand]

I'm a DIYer who has installed 100-200A subpanels both within the same building and in remote buildings on multiple occasions. I'm not aware of any difference between doing a 50 and 200A panel other than the difficulty of handling the wire. I pull proper permits and have them inspected, and have never had an issue with the inspector. You read the code and do what it says, it's hardly rocket surgery. Not sure what all the mystery here is about. Proper grounding in a remote building is about the only thing that's a little bit complicated. For new service I'll do everything up to the weatherhead; I let an electrician or the POCO make the hot connection after the inspections are done. For the kind of big heavy wire a 200 A service requires it may well be worthwhile to hire someone young and strong with equipment-- getting it bent to fit and make neat connections in a box is hard and pulls through long runs of conduit take a machine.

[Frank Pratt]

I'm a DIYer who has installed 100-200A subpanels both within the same building and in remote buildings on multiple occasions. I'm not aware of any difference between doing a 50 and 200A panel other than the difficulty of handling the wire. I pull proper permits and have them inspected, and have never had an issue with the inspector. You read the code and do what it says, it's hardly rocket surgery. Not sure what all the mystery here is about. Proper grounding in a remote building is about the only thing that's a little bit complicated. For new service I'll do everything up to the weatherhead; I let an electrician or the POCO make the hot connection after the inspections are done. For the kind of big heavy wire a 200 A service requires it may well be worthwhile to hire someone young and strong with equipment-- getting it bent to fit and make neat connections in a box is hard and pulls through long runs of conduit take a machine.

This is not meant as a knock on the OP, but if you are going on a woodworking forum to ask that kind of question, it indicates that this is not a DIY project that they should tackle. I agree, it's not 'rocket surgery' :) but it does require knowledge and skill that many DIYers to not possess. If you have seen as many DIY electrical installation done by people who felt they knew what they were doing, that were completely ****** up as I have, then you would understand my caution.

[Scott T Smith]

Hey everyone! Well, after many years James is finally getting his own shop for his woodworking. My question or should I say his question is what size/kind of electrical cable would he need to run 200 amps, 300 feet. Here is one that we’ve found but not 100% sure it will work. Not sure if the link is allowed, if not please delete.

https://www.wireandcableyourway.com/500-500-350-rider-underground-distribution-cable.html?utm_source=google-shopping&utm_medium=shopping&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsIGr7_D64wIVGo7ICh2gNQA1EAQYASAB EgILO_D_BwE

Any advise is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Zelma

Zelma, ditto the other's advice to consult with a local electrician.

Having said that, the link that you shared to the 500MCM should be more than enough to handle your load.

[Rollie Meyers]

That cable is not permitted in a structure, it is intended for utilities who do not have to comply with the NEC.

[James & Zelma Litzmann]

300 foot run is 600 feet on most tables so you will need to upsize the cable. How is your existing voltage and is the service drop able to handle another 200 amps? If your are in the country can the main line supply 400 amps?
Bil lD


We had a 400 amp box put in to add the shop.

[James & Zelma Litzmann]

Zelma, ditto the other's advice to consult with a local electrician.

Having said that, the link that you shared to the 500MCM should be more than enough to handle your load.


Scott, thank you so much, we really appreciate your answering our question.

[James & Zelma Litzmann]

We live in the country, we do not have to be inspected. Having said that, we decided to have a licensed electrician, the same one we paid to hook up James’ CNC/Phase Converter/Vaccumn Pump/Dust Collection system when we first purchased it. He will be here next week, thank you all for your words of encouragement.

[Frederick Skelly]

We live in the country, we do not have to be inspected. Having said that, we decided to have a licensed electrician, the same one we paid to hook up James’ CNC/Phase Converter/Vaccumn Pump/Dust Collection system when we first purchased it. He will be here next week, thank you all for your words of encouragement.

That sounds like a good decision Zelma. I think folks here just wanted you and James to stay safe.
Tell James we'd love to see pictures as his new shop is being built/outfitted!

Fred

[ray grundhoefer]

The cable is not being used in a structure. It is intended for an underground feeder to a separate building which is what it is designed for. If it is not being used as a main service you have to run a copper ground wire with it also. Your electrician will be able to tell you what size you need for that. The 500 mcm might be a little bigger than you need but its always better to oversize rather than under