Getting electric to my well

Might be worng place to ask but worth a shot. I cant guess on these things, they have to pass an inspection and I dont want to make a career out of this.

I have had the local electric company run the cable underground and install the transformer box, now its up to me to install a meter can, fuse panel and run the wire over to the transformer.

Electric company will make the connections to transformer.

Ive contacted the local county to get the requirements and ask for assistance, they have basically told me they are not gonna offer this and I should purchase/study the NEC.

Im not planning to be a career electrician and as far as I know codes can still vary greatly depending on location.

Can anyone offer any insight of where I mind find the information I need to get the correct materials I need and run whats needed to pass code? I believe they are only giving me a 60 amp service at this point, its only an ag well.

Have you asked the electric company?

John F Dean wrote:Have you asked the electric company?

Absolutely and useless. They didnt even care enough not to run over some of my Holly trees with their equipment

My plan B would be to get an itemized estimate from a electrician.  This services two purposes. The electrician may be cheaper than you think. And, the estimate should provide a materials list.

yeah, the electric company and the county inspectors don't  want to deal with you.  In my area the power company straight up WONT deal with anyone but a licensed electrician.  The county inspectors on the other hand have been very helpful - but I've certainly had some who seem to feel their role is to beat up homeowners enough that they won't ever change a cover plate again.

You may be able to find a "consulting" electrician who will tell you what you need and then look over it when you're done.  My electrician does that on some of my projects.

The trick is just in all the little details.  Its easy enough to get a box of the right type and size, get some wire and have fun.  But it always seems like some stupid thing that causes a fire ... and yeah, I know this from experience of being stupid. But really ... get the wrong kind of wire rating and the linemen may refuse to hook you up.  Fail to tighten a screw enough. And the NEC isn't exactly light reading either.   I'm all in for running circuits from an existing box and even adding a sub-panel by myself - but connecting to a transformer is something of a different beast.

BTW, I'm surprised that they want you to run wire to a transformer.  It seems like everywhere I've been the meter is the magic dividing line... they take care of everything up to the meter, the rest is your problem. Maybe that's changed.

Personally, I'd punt to an electrician.  Please take that as the challenge you need to do it by yourself, correctly, and then come back and tell me about it : )

Eliot Mason wrote:yeah, the electric company and the county inspectors don't  want to deal with you.  In my area the power company straight up WONT deal with anyone but a licensed electrician.  The county inspectors on the other hand have been very helpful - but I've certainly had some who seem to feel their role is to beat up homeowners enough that they won't ever change a cover plate again.

You may be able to find a "consulting" electrician who will tell you what you need and then look over it when you're done.  My electrician does that on some of my projects.

The trick is just in all the little details.  Its easy enough to get a box of the right type and size, get some wire and have fun.  But it always seems like some stupid thing that causes a fire ... and yeah, I know this from experience of being stupid. But really ... get the wrong kind of wire rating and the linemen may refuse to hook you up.  Fail to tighten a screw enough. And the NEC isn't exactly light reading either.   I'm all in for running circuits from an existing box and even adding a sub-panel by myself - but connecting to a transformer is something of a different beast.

BTW, I'm surprised that they want you to run wire to a transformer.  It seems like everywhere I've been the meter is the magic dividing line... they take care of everything up to the meter, the rest is your problem. Maybe that's changed.

Personally, I'd punt to an electrician.  Please take that as the challenge you need to do it by yourself, correctly, and then come back and tell me about it : )

Thanks, you need not challenge me, I WILL do it myself, I dont pay anyone for much of anything cause I always end up disappointed with something in the end. I understand that makes me sound like someone that just cant be pleased but there is more too it than that not worth getting into here.

Im also surprised they want me to run the wire to transformer, complete B.S in my opinion considering what Im paying the power company to do their work. Cant change that though.

Jason Walter wrote:...I WILL do it myself, I dont pay anyone for much of anything cause I always end up disappointed with something in the end. I understand that makes me sound like someone that just cant be pleased but there is more too it than that not worth getting into here.

I understand!  My sub-contracting decision process boils down to "I'm perfectly capable of doing a mediocre job.  I won't pay for a mediocre job.  You have to be demonstrably more experienced and the outcome has to be demonstrably better if I'm going to pay you."

Of course, my "punt" decision is based on the fact that I happen to have an electrician I like, and who likes and respects my work.  Without that I'd probably be right where you are!

The power company wants to supply NOTHING.  They want to not have any inventory, just the tools and the guy to turn the screw.  That wire is EXPENSIVE and they didn't lower their the meter hook up fee.

You are dealing with a lethal product.

I too do a lot if electrical work at my farm, but I have found it best for me to work after the meter.
Not all electricians are crooks, just as not all citizens are crooks.

The regulations can be difficult to understand and I doubt any quote would detail the materials to be used,
so you may find you are flying blind.

I would encourage you to trust an electrician and get them to sort out the meter cabling.

Hi, Just wondering if you have everything hooked up and how you did it. Hopefully it went smoothly.

I also have well water, and once piece of electrical equipment that many people haven't heard about is a lightning arrester. You might want to look into one to protect your well head.

My dear hubby can do anything a licenced electrician can do. He has worked under licenced electricians, just never got his licence as it was not needed.

We don't like paying an electrician when we can do it ourselves.

I would recommend asking the electric company a specific question:  "Will you hook up to my well if I do the work myself?"

The electric company will probably say: "Are you a licensed electrician?" Then they will probably tell you that the work must be signed off by a licensed electrician.

My suggestion would be to get an estimate from a licensed electrician to sign off on your work.

Did you think about solar. there are some very cost effective systems out there as long as you have a clearing for the panels.

it might be cheaper in the long run than running wires from your mains all thee way out to the pump. and remove all the permit issues.