Correct way to run power from house to outbuildings?
Hi,
I have a 400A 230V service that runs from a transformer on a pole to a meter box located on the side of the house. Out of the meter enclosure are two 2/0 cu cables that run to two separate 200A service panels in the basement. One panel contains all the breakers for the house. The other panel is empty. The empty panel was originally intended for the garage and barn but seems like it is not the correct approach since the power to the other outbuildings would be limited by the breaker in the panel. My idea is to disconnect the feed to the unused panel and instead run a 4/0 four wire aluminum URD direct bury cable to the first outbuilding, the shop. I would like to mount a nema 3R enclosure on the outside wall of the shop and run a 2/0 feeder into the shop 200A panel. Then continue the 4/0 URD to the barn and terminate it at the service panel. Does this approach make sense? If so how do I splice into the 4/0 in the 3R enclosure? The distance from the house to the shop is 80 feet. The distance from the shop to the barn is 160 ft. The shop will have a air compressor, welder, lights and frig. The barn will have a water heater, fans, frig and high bay lights. I'm guessing at about 100A per outbuilding. Any insight would be appreciated.