Going to install incoming service for Modular home.As we understand the home has a 200amp(will assume main panel rating)breaker panel. Number circuits unknown 42,3o,etc. By phone to salesperson, we were told that home completely wired and a 2" conduit stub from bottom of panel will be available to us when house set on new foundation.Making conduit available for basement access and hook up! Wondering if any idea's out there from other's. Plan on either setting meter pedestal and installing 200 amp main disconnect only and feed existing prewired panel in home or setting another Main rated 200 amp main panel with branch circuit openings(number unsure of yet)will assume that we need circuits in basement for water system,Alarm for septic,unattached garage and gfi gen outlets for unfinished basement. All other appliances prewired in home upstairs. Furnace and water heater also. Assume also would have to make upper main panel changes by converting to sub panel and isolating neutrals from grounds. Also wondering if smoke detector circuit is dropped for basement connection? Reason thinking of new panel,poss easier than trying to fish new circuits needed for basement area. have a month before home being set and hope to get more answers from manufacturer. Just wondering if anyone would have any input on this!Plan to use 200amp aluminum rated service cable to feed existing(prewired panel)and grnd properly, rods etc.

Eagle:
As you discribe your proposed system, It sounds to be
near identical to how we have our power done in our Mod, home
in Oregon.

The only thing I'ed recommend is to stay away from Aluminum
conductors, these have a nasty habit of corroding over time
which causes the taps & splices to overheat, increasing the
rate of corrosion ..........> (See where that's leading)

Best of all with your new home.

Eagle:

(1).(Byter has given you good advise. DON'T use Aluminum Wiring.

It's not worth the cheaper cost of Aluminum wiring with the disadvantages that Aluminum wiring causes.

Also note that Aluminum wiring has caused many a fire in homes & modulars.

My sister-in-laws house was completely gutted on account of aluminum wiring, per the fire captains inspection.

(2). I AM A BIT CONFUSED ABOUT WHAT YOU INTEND TO DO WHEN YOU HAVE THE MODULAR INSTALLED ON YOUR FOUNDATION.

As I understand it the home is coming complete with a 200-Amp Main Panel located probably in a closet upstairs.

You indicate that you plan on setting another 200-Amp Main on a pedestal(?) for the water system, alarm for septic, unattached garage & GFI general outlets for the basement utilities.

Questions:

(1). Do you intend to have a heavy load in the garage for large machine tools?

(2). Do you plan on installing an electrical furnace?

If yes to both questions (1) & (2), then you may need an additional 200-amp service for the furnace & the garage loads & all the other loads in the basement.

If no to both questions (1) & (2), then the loads in the basement you are referring to will not use an additional 200-amp.

You more than likely will only need ONE 200-Amp Main Panel.

[This message was edited by donaldekliros on 09-21-02 at 09:01 AM.]

Thanks for the reply,s, May have not made my point clear here.Our concern here, is point of entrance into house from meter pedestal! Do not know if utilty co is going to designate the location of meter, therefore if it is to be on opposite side of home where main panel located in closet,my question was, would it be better to install just a 200amp main only!(to meet code reqirement of length of interior run before a main is needed)need to find out what that requirement is? Or would it be better to install a main panel with X amont of pole spaces available for branch circuits discibed. I'm not certain if another chase is made available to gain access up to prewired panel.(which may be difficult to fish)I was curious if anyone was aware of chase.ETC. ty Also do like idea on the copper and PVC much batter also!!! ty

In rereading my reply,maybe didn't make myself clear that possibly basement interior run from point of entrance FROM METER PESTAL to the 2" stub from pre wired service panel may be fourty feet or twenty feet,so a MAIN disconnect would be required.Am I clear on this? Wasn't aware of copper service cable if choose not to run in PVC? t's again

Eagle:

No it is not clear.

(1). When you get the Modular home situated on your lot over the basement, then you call the Utility Company and let them know where the 200-Amp Main panel is located in your house.

They then will locate the service entrance & Meter on the house as close to the 200-Amp Main Panel as they can get it subject to the location of their Power Pole or Power Pedestal Box.

You will NOT need a Main disconnect if the job is done correctly.

Do not let the Utility Company mount their meter on a yard Pedestal. If that happens you pay the full I^2R electrical cost of the cable lost from there to the imterior of your house.

I don't believe the Utilty Company would do that, however, I am not familiar with your area so I would not know.

(2). In so far as electrical work in the basement is concerned, you will have to drop about three conduits for about three circuits from the 200-amp Main Panel through the floor into the basement to wire up whatever you plan on having in the basement. That is, such as lights, Washing Machine & Dryer.

The dryer, as you are probably aware of, requires a separate dedicated circuit of four conductor AWG No.8 240-volt 40-ampere service with copper wires.

The washing machine should also be a dedicated line by itself, capable of drawing about 15-amperes. It should be a three conductor AWG No. 12 copper wire. The receptacle for this should be GFCI Type.

All lights that you plan on in the basement should be on a separate circuit, provided from an trhree conductor AWG No.14 copper wire, the
load(s) of which should not exceed 15-amperes.

[This message was edited by donaldekliros on 09-22-02 at 05:34 PM.]

ty doing this project with friend.Trying to get all answer's and as much input as we can. Checking with other's help sites, so as not to be to much of a bother. But what a help sight for if we didn't ask questions! Right! Hey ty again for your time.

Eagle: In reading these posts I am not clear either as to what you want to do. Donald always gives great advice and has a great deal of experience in this field, HOWEVER.... If you don't do this as a profession have someone that does come in and do it for you. Is doing it yourself and saving a few dollars worth injury, or worse, to yourself, or perhaps starting a fire in your new house? Have an electrician come in and do this for you. Know your limitations. Know what you can and can't do. I do a lot of electrical work but I would bring a professional electrician in for this. Please don't misunderstand, this is merely my suggestion to you based on what I have read in your posts. Good luck to you.