Upgrading electrical panel at our cabin (off Topic)

[TheWolfPaq82]

Ok. I've seen quite a few people out here with some pretty good plumbing, electrical, chainsaw and other general expertise. Here's my question. Our cabin has 100 amp breaker panel and I want to upgrade to 200 amp as we just got our detached garage building about finished and we'll be adding another small building next spring. I'll be running power to both...at least 20 amp to smaller and 30 amp to bigger one. So what determines how big the main panel can be ? Is it the "feeders" from the meter to the panel that would need to be upgraded first ? What is the nominal size feeders for a 200 amp panel ?

Thanks folks !

[Iwannacamp]

An electric expert will be along...
When I did my house in Texas it was 3/0 neutral and 4/0 hots....these connected to what looked like a 6 ga from the pole.
I did a 200 amp shop service( I know overkill) in Arkansas and it was smaller??? 2/0 I think. In other words it varies by area. You can go online to your local electric company website and download or call and get the code requirements easily enough.

[Bama Rambler]

There are a lot of variables, but on your end you'll need the service drop to the meter base and the drop from the meter base to the distribution panel to be capable of 200 amp service. Service entrance wire (SER) is rated differently than other conductors.

For 200 amp service you'll need 4/0-4/0-2/0 and a #4 ground in aluminum or you'll need a 2/0-2/0-1/0 with a #6 ground in copper.

Having said that, the first thing you need to do is call the local utility and see if the service is capable of 200 amp service, and if it isn't what it takes to upgrade their end.

[TheWolfPaq82]

Thanks guys !! According to the guy from the Co-op when they changed our meter to a digital so they can read with drive-by, he said the incoming should handle 200 amp service, but I think I'll go with your advise and get a local electrician down there to verify what I need. Would be nice to go 50 amp in the new building to do some "Shop" work in there or even be able to have a 30 amp RV on the outside if one of the kids wanted to bring their TT down there.

Thanks again guys.

[Bama Rambler]

Your electrician will probably suggest this, but the proper way to do it would be to set an service entrance panel and then install sub panels at the other buildings.