ele ?

[mike p]

trying to get 200 amp service power to my shop,

i live in country no codes no inspectiors

i scored 370 ft of 3/0 type THW new copper wire at auction

so im thinking run this 3/0 THW 2 strands, with 3 awg type THHN as ground ,185 ft to a sub panel box that i got. its a 200 amp box exalactly like the one under my metter. then ill run 1/0 copper the last 25 ft to my breaker box in shop
does this sound ok ?
do i need to put it in pvc or just bury it?

how deep do you bury it

i tryed to ask the local polk county electrical & they would not give any advise unless i hired them to do the job
thanks guys for thinking on this i dont want to do it wrong
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[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

I know little about electicity, but I would put the wire down at least 3', perhaps 4' and into pvc pipe.  A simple ditchwitch should do the trick for the ditch, unless you hve a great number of boulders or tree roots in the way.  You must know someone who is an electrician in your area that might give you some hints on what would be the best way to proceed.  I would think that 3 0 wire would work for that distance.

Oh, you are in a pretty good county as well, me too.  Polk County here.

[Stevem]

Try this link:  http://www.csgnetwork.com/wiresizecalc.html

Copper is good but looks like you might want to limit the current to 100 amps max draw.  Maybe double the wire to get 200 amps?  I'm not sure that's legal though.

How deep?  3 to 4 feet sounds about right to be really sure.  And not under any road if possible.  Deeper than any foreseeable digging in the area and mark and map where you lay it.  The PVC tends to fill with water so consider drain holes if it's not totally sealed.   Gophers tend to nibble on wire they find in their path.  Encasing in PVC gives a little more protection.

THW wire is suitable for wet or damp locations.   You get a slightly higher rating on the wire capacity if it's overhead.

Oh, and if you hadn't thought of it consider driving a ground rod at the shop for safety sake

[mike p]

ok thanks

[mike p]

well i have decided to have a 2nd metter put in just for the shop & kiln area then my run will only be about 25' & can do it in the #000 copper i got at the auction

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Mike, I like the idea of a second meter, much better.  I think you are going to be much happier and safer.

[mike p]

yea i think so too im on the waiting list for the engenier to come out & plan it out were the post goes etc..........
ill know how much the shop/sawmill biss  cost instead of lumping it on the house bill

[Frank Pender - AKA "Tail Gunner"]

Your records for business costs and deductions (if we are allowed to keep any) are much cleaner for the IRS.

[mike p]

well the enginer was here from ele co .  ill have to move 2 huge stacks of airdrying lumber 5' tall x 16 ' long & 5' wide & take down 5 trees & move a bunch of stuff , tranz plant a dawrf apple tree & wait for the ground to dry up before they can put the wire & pole in, were we all compromized that it should go.
more projects o boy