We are getting ready to build a new shop in the near future. I met with Duke Energy engineer at the house yesterday. I told him what I wanted to do and he said before they could give me a price of getting the electric there I would have to provide him a list of what I plan to run in the shop and the load of each piece. Sounds kind of demanding to me. I run currently off of a 100 amp box. This is mostly due to me being a one man band. I dont weld and run a plasma cutter at the same time.
I have alot of unknowns. I intend to put a plasma table and a mill and lathe in the new shop along with the current aray of welders (3) lights, heater, saws, drill press the like. I wanted 3 phase but he said it would be uber expensive because there is none on my road. It would have to be run in. I was thinking about double 200 amp boxes. That should be more than enough.
I agree that you probably won't need more than 200 amps.
As far as 3 phase, you can get phase inverters that will give you an aproximation of 3 phase on standard home power. You will loose hp on your motors. I'm assuming that you plan on getting some used machine tools in 3 phase possibly. They aren't inexpensive but may work for what you want. If I remember they are somewhat hp specific so its not quite a get the biggest you can and just hook anything up. I could be wrong, its been a few years since I looked into a used 3 phase lathe.
Another 3 phase option would be to get a 3 phase gen set. Some times you can find them used as backup power for shops that can not afford to go down. Probably find them in diesel or nat gas. If I remember, Northern sells some 3 pase units, Miller has a 3 phase welder / gen set. For what it might cost for inverters, or if an inverter is not an option these might be your ticket and you can have stand by power it needed or maybe a portable welder.
If it's only going to be you EVER I would just get enough so you can safely run the following at once:
CNC Plasma (15amp max for controls/pc, 50amps)
Air Compressor (on and startup draw) (30-50amps depending on size)
Welder on max or near max setting (assume big tig 100amp)
Every light in the place. (30amp)
Heater/AC unit. (if AC? 60amp)
That's 305amps if they were all running once at FULL power.
I think 200amp would be fine, but 2 200s would be more than fine Add a second person and it could be more or around 300 all the time.
I've got a shit ton of power hungry stuff in my shop (including it being heated year long) and I've never tripped my meager 100 amp breaker. Despite the fact that its wired for 220 and my compressor, saw, and welder run at 220.
If its just you or a friend in there I don't see why 200amps wouldn't be adequate. That said, your twin 200 amp boxes should be plenty and I don't see the need for three phase at your usage level.
I've got a shit ton of power hungry stuff in my shop (including it being heated year long) and I've never tripped my meager 100 amp breaker. Despite the fact that its wired for 220 and my compressor, saw, and welder run at 220.
I'm on a 60 amp box in my shop and have a lift, lathe, welder, 220 compressor, etc and have never tripped a breaker either. Quite often, there are two working as well.
I do hope to upgrade to 200, but for now, it's doing just fine for me.
I had to bull shit PG&E to get my 400 amp service...Just made a list of machinery that i knew i would never ever get or ever need at home and after a little haggeling they gave it to me:grinpimp: Go as big as you can get...you never know what may happen the the future when you might need more juice but then its too late. I have about 30 empty breaker slots so I doubt ill ever run out of room in my pannel
I'd go with more than you think you'll ever need too. I upgraded when I bought the house thinking it would be plenty, then added the boat power, then the addition and the second AC unit, then the hot tub, then the pool and now want to add another 220v for the welder and the damn box is full.
Check with your local Duke billing department and see what the monthly rate difference is.
We have 2 utilities in our area, 1 Charges a Flat rate per month based on Service Size and the other is a multiplier.
The flat rate isnt so bad, you can know going in that the service diff is going to cost em X per month. The multi[lier could be huge if you have a wrench fest.
Also stay off 3 phase, it will absolutely kill you $$$. Sure it doenst consume as much but its billed completely differently. And is a matrix based off peak instant draw and total consumption.
All this is based on Upstate SC, Western NC and Northern GA. As always YRMV.
Dad had this done recently and while he is about 50 feet closer to the road than I am, they ran his for free and all he said was hook it up. His bill runs arouns 12.00 on the average month. No minimum charge. If I can get that deal life will be good.
I agree after looking at what I will be using I don't see having issues with a 200 amp service.
I think they ar going to base my cost for install on how much I will use.
I oversaw a service upgrade last year... 400A single-phase that came into a fused switch & splitter in the shop. 200A panel for the 5400sqft shop. 200A sub for the main house. Plus an entirely separate 100A service for the double-wide.
So far there's enough power for everything
EDIT: 3-phase - or any service drop they regard as commercial - is likely going to have a higher base rate, AND they are likely to keep tabs on your power-factor. (typically causes by large inductive loads i.e. welders, motors, and ballasts) Utilities levy a surcharge when you get too low... as incentive to make the necessary corrections.
I just put a new 200amp service in my shop and waiting for Duke to hookup. When the engineer came over all he wanted to know is were the meter base would be. They don't usually charge you to hookup to their service.
The city inspector inspected my service today everything is green tagged an ready to hookup when Duke decides to show up.
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