Forum Title: Upgrade
I have a garage and a house. They are connected by a breezeway. The garage is now considered attached. I want to put a 400 amp panel in the garage. I want to make the 200 amp house panel a sub panel. The garage has no water pipes. The house main panel is bonded to the water pipes. I plan to drive two electrodes at the new 400 amp service in the garage, and pipe a four wire new run to the house panel. Do I have to run a bonding (water pipe) conductor to the house? If so, can I connect the bonding conductor to the isolated ground (bonded and grounded) in the 200 amp sub panel? There is an electrode at the house that is now my sub panel. The neutral and ground will be seperated.If I must run a (water pipe) bonding wire to the house, can I run it in the conduit with the other four conductors? Also, Should I size the bonding conductor for 200 amp or 400 amp. I appreciate any comments or suggestions.....John
Category: General Electrical Discussion Post By: C&b Electric & A/c Services (Barton (town), VT), 03/23/2017
Why do you want a 400A panel in the garage, and will your local POCO even let you put one that big on your garage?

- John Philips (Milton, IN), 03/25/2017

I see no reason why you need more than the 4 wire feeder. The water pipe is bonded to the ground rods via the EGC in the feeder.

- Amber Williamson (Friendship, OK), 03/25/2017

Originally Posted by gfretwell I see no reason why you need more than the 4 wire feeder. The water pipe is bonded to the ground rods via the EGC in the feeder. I agree. I did exactly the same install on my house a couple years ago - just with a 200A main and 100A existing in the house. That satisfied the inspector.

- Dave Acosta (Masaryktown, FL), 03/25/2017

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