I'm planning to run a 60 amp service to my shop from my house panel (165 feet). Planning to run 2 URD from house panel, (#2 AL hots with #4 AL neutral) using Noalox on the AL wire. I plan to drive a ground stake 6' into the ground with a #6 bare copper ground for the breaker panel at the shop. Does this sound right? Just wanting to recheck. We're planning to run it inside of 1.5" PVC conduit.

Any insight? Problems foreseen?

Thanks!

Lee
Montgomery, TX

Hmm. Just one that comes to mind. You need to pull 4 wires from the panel, your ground must come from there. Keep in mind that you still need the ground rod at the shop. At the shop panel you will need a panel that has both neutral and ground buss(s). The neutral and ground can only be together in your main panel, and the neutral in your shop can't be bonded to the panel. That's easily accomplished by removing the bonding link, but it's likely you will have to purchase a ground buss, which WILL be bonded to the cabinet. You could go down a wire size if you went with copper and you don't need direct burial cable if you use conduit.

Thanks for the quick reply. I was told by an electrician friend that I could just leave it bonded and drive the stake so looks like that's incorrect?

The URD is my cheapest option for running it is what I was told. Copper will cost quite a bit more. Should I just run a bare copper ground along with the URD? Thanks again!

Times have changed and so have the codes. I see a couple of problems you may have. How will you connect that #2 alum to the 60 amp panel? I doubt the lugs will fit it. And your ground wire needs to be insulated wire.. which can be thnn. Green makes it simple. Make sure you panel and feeder breaker is co/al rated.

The 60 amp breaker from my main is rated to use 2 AWG. Only place I see a spec sheet:

CH260 - Plug-On Circuit Breaker (http://www.superbreakers.net/ch260.html)

Rated for Alum and copper, the panel I plan to use is a 125 CH breaker panel, also rated for both alum and copper and lists this size feeder as appropriate for the panel. I doubt I'll ever use the full 60 amps but want to make sure to have everything right just the same. Not sure how tight the code is here for a home-owner wiring a sub panel. I have quite a bit of electrical experience, owning a swimming pool service company and have been researching this forever but plan to purchase everything over the next couple of days. Thanks again for all your help MB!

Sounds like you have it covered. Just observe the gronding details and you should be OK. When you get your permit you will find out how they feel about home owners doing sub-panel installations. As long as it's up to code and passes the inspection you should be all right.