Electrical Contractors: Im running 125A service to my house from the pole thats 540ft away. How?
Question:i trenched the whole way out to the drop-pole already and need to buy the cable to put in the conduit, but am running into huge costs of the cable (500 mcm is what voltage calculators tell me). Is there another way via step-up/down transformers to reduce the cable size thats cost effective? Also where do u buy this stuff? tks
Answers:
Dude, you're hatin' it. There really is no simple, cheap solution to your problem. I agree with the guy saying to bring out the power company's planner and see what he says. Sometimes they can be hard to deal with, but that's their job. Also, setting a pole or two and running your high voltage overhead to get your xformer closer isn't a bad idea, but since you've already trenched the whole distance I'm going to assume that that isn't the route you wish to take.
I calculated your voltage drop @ 125A and came up 300kcmil copper. Also when you calculate for voltage drop you should use the load being served...so if you figure you'll never actually draw more than 90A you can use that in your calculations. Just remember if you draw more than that you'll start droppin' voltage.
Another option-and this is very unorthadox for a residential service- is to have the power company run 480 to your residence and then use a step down xformer. A 25kva is gonna run you about $1500 US but you'll be able to use 4/0 aluminum conductors from where your meter is now.
Electrical supply house deal in transformers and such or check with some of the industrial supply companies like Grainger.com.
I wish you luck, bro.
If you don't know where "u buy this stuff", you better pay somebody to do it.
You don't give enough info. Where is the meter? At the pole or at the home? Where is the power co transformer? I don't know why someone feels it needed to give me a thumbs down. But from your info, what you are doing is perfectly legal and will pass inspections. As for changing cables, no. You need to run large at that distance. In fact at 540 ft i would run a size larger than required. There is no cheap way. under ground is expensive. If you really want to cut costs. Run overhead with triplex aluminum.
From what I read, it's best you get an electrician.
That way, everything passes inspections with no problems.
There is no cheaper way. Your playing with high voltage. Do it right or pay someone or don't do it?
Where is this exsisting drop terminated now? I can't beleive the power company would leave a line like that.
If it's an illagalhookup your looking for your biting off way more then you can chew.
you can go to a web site called EDR. it is free. put in your info in the "voltage drop" category. you will get a wealth of knowledge there.
have you tried to ask the power company for assistance. they may run the line out to your house under ground for you at a fraction of the cost to run it yourself.
just a try. being an electrical contractor myself, i would call the power company, ask for a service planner, and have them come out and give you a few extra ideas. after all they will be charging you for the life of the home for power, and will usually cut you a break if you ask.
good luck to you!
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