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wojo · Nov 27, 2006, 07:37 AM

Hello,

We have just built a new pole barn and would like to add electric in the pole barn. We will be upgrading our current 200 amp service to a 320 amp service and would like to put a 100 amp breaker box in the pole barn. The meter base is 140' from the new pole barn. Can we bury URD wire, Quad #2, Dyke cut aluminum to the new pole barn for the electrician to make the connection?

Also, another simple question, what type of wire should we buy to connect the lights and outlets to the breaker box?

Thank you for your help. We are trying to do as much as we can ourselves (i.e. run the wires) and just let the electrician do the connections.

tkrussell · Nov 27, 2006, 05:25 PM

If the electrician is doing the connections, he may be responsible for the entire job, and you should check with him for these questions, he should know the local conditions and codes, as they do vary from National codes. This will depend on any permitting that is needed.

#2 Al URD can be buried, in a trench 24 " to the top of the cable, may need 6" sand above and below the cable. If running under truck traffic should be in a conduit for extra protection, or easy replacement.

If the load is close to 80 amps, or with motors, I would recommend #1 Al URD or larger, to reduce voltage drop to 3 %. Loads larger than 40 amps on #2 wire will start causing Vd.

If the barn will have livestock, then UF or NM-C cable is allowed, using conduit sleeves where needed for protection. Or PVC and metal conduits are allowed.

Also, if there is live stock, all metal in and near the barn may need to be bonded to create an Equipotential Ground Plane.

Hope this helps.

wojo · Nov 28, 2006, 10:42 AM

TK, thank you for your reply. It is really amazing how many people you have helped on this board.

Our electrician is scheduled to come out next Wednesday and get the power to the barn. He checked the cable and we are in good shape there.

We are going to try to do a little of the inside wiring ourselves (i.e. outlets and lights) before he comes and had a few questions. This area is going to be used as a shop, so do we need to used gfci plugs? Also, does the 12-2 NM-B wire have to go through conduit? And, do the outlets have to be so far from the concrete floor?

Appreciate your taking the time to help.

tkrussell · Nov 28, 2006, 12:14 PM

The NM cable only needs to be in conduit if the cable is subjected to physical damage. All the wiring up high can be cable, and any wiring to outlets down low can be in conduit sleeving the cable for short distances,or use conduit, fittings and bozes with THHN wire pulled through.

Conduit can be tricky, since for a professional looking installation it needs to be bent with offsets in to boxes, gradual sweeps for elbows. Most sizes of conduit, I am thinking of EMT, has these bends premade you can buy, or use an EMT bender to custom make any bends.

Outlet height is not a requirement, for workshops I ususaly mount them 48" off the floor, however, they can be any height to match equipment.

GFI protection is not required for a home workshop, if a business OSHA will require protection for workers. Not a bad idea though, if a home workshop and someone will be working there alone.

Thanks always glad to help.