service entrance

[Unregistered]

Is it possible to run the service entrance to a detached garage first, then underground to the house? I would like the meter to be on the garage.
The garage is about 25ft from house.
Thanks
Aj

[mdshunk]

Yes, indeed. This is done with certain frequency. You will at least need a fused or breaker type disconnect at the garage before the cable proceeds to the house. No big deal. Check with your local utility to be sure that this arrangement is acceptable with their engineer.

[Wgoodrich]

Be careful in your design concerning designing power to a little used garage then sub power to a house. You are only 25 feet away thus little voltage drop concern. Voltage drop is electricity you pay for but didn't get to use. If this garage had been further away from the house with a remote transformer you could end up with much more than 250 feet of distance between the meter or transformer and the house fed from a detached garage. When this happens your design over the years will be costing you unnecessary money wasted.

Best design is to place the meter as close to the larger power load [normally the house] to limit voltage drop. Before the meter the power company eats the voltage drop. After the meter you eat the voltage drop.

In your design only being 25 feet from the house with that garage probably would make little difference in voltage drop. However probably will cost you a bit more in electric feeders cost because you will be paying for the larger wire going to the house instead of the power company eating that cost. They pay before the meter but you pay after the meter for feeders and service conductors.

Just some added thoughts.

Wg