Improving the existing AC to my project studio....

[Guest]

Hey everyone, I am finishing a small 3 room studio that has an AC feed coming from the existing house box (probably 120amp service) that travels to the studio (which is a converted garage) about 20 feet from the house. The current Power is horrible and I need to upgrade desperately.
I want to be able to run at least a 50amp feed to the studio and ideally run one leg for lights/utilities and dedicate the other leg to the Gear...
I am probably going to use a Furman IT1220 balanced power unit and unfortunately have to leave the wall plugs and existing wiring as it is (common ground I'm sure) and just rewire the main box in the studio.
Do you guys think 50amps is enough?? and also, what is the best way to tap into the main box?? (besides using an electrician which I will be doing... ) The current feed travels underground running through a pipe (PVC I think/hope) so it shouldn't be too hard to feed a new service through but what gauge cable should I use and I was thinking about putting in a grounding system (rod) exclusively for the studio...

Any help at all would be greatly appreciated!!!

I love the site, and all you guys do a great job.. Keep it up!!

Cheers

[billwiller]

sorry I guess i wasn't quite logged in or something?? it posted as a "guest" ?? Wierd..

[Aaronw]

Do you guys think 50amps is enough??

That should be enough. I'm only running a 60 amp subpanel for my current setup, but the wire is rated for 95 amps if I need to expand.

but what gauge cable should I use

I would run cable that is rated for more than you will currently use, in the event you need to have more power and also to allow head room on your cable. If I remember correctly, I used a 2/0 wire (Copper not aluminum).

[AVare]

50 amps is more than enough. An electrician can fill you in on doing the technical (studio) gorund properly. 4 gauge wire will do.

Work with the electrician so ahta he undestands what you want/need. Steve can hwlp give ideas.

Andre