My new fishing camp has a 400 amp meter which will go underground. It needs to go 93 feet to the weatherhead on the electric pole. (45' meter to pole +30' up pole + piggyback 3' + 10 underground and 5' extra). My local construction guy told me the cable was 500 mc wire. Do I really need 3 strands of wire? How much would this wire approximately cost? (ignore digging trench and laying conduit)

Thanks.
Girl in over her head

Is this a comercial venture?

No. Just a house. Seems the builder always puts in very big meters. City thought I would get a 200amp instead of 400amp.

Trying to understand wires I need so I can request quote. Builder doesn't install. Thanks.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by donf

Is this a comercial venture?

---

no.

So the builder says you need a 400 amp service?
I would want a second opinion and hire my own electrical contractor
Or engineer to do a load calculation.
It will be worth your while as 500 kCM is currently about $12 per linear foot here on the east coast...

Thanks! Will do

If you are putting in an underground service, why are you putting up a pole?
Most underground services utilize a meter attached to the structure. Most aerial services use a pole with a weather head, conduit and the meter mounted either on the pole or on the structure. Suggest you not only consult an electrician but also the power company.

Our house is on a barrier island. The electricity to our remote street is electric poles. We will have underground conduit to the electric pole 40 ft away from meter's location.

I have a 400a meter and need wiring from meter to the weather head which is approximately 30 ft up the electric pole. IF my builder digs the trench and lays the conduit, how much would an electrician generally charge for the wire and the special conduit that goes up the pole?

Thanks from - Girl in over her head

For any pricing for installation or purchase of materials, you need to find a local contractor or distributor that can provide the service or product.

Prices for labor and materials is subject to local markets.

Instead of taking advice from a "builder", you should contract with an electrician that will determine the proper size of service, size the condutors for that service, and do the installation per the local applicable codes and utility requirements.

Thanks!