My situation is similar (rural), although I'm 240' from the meter pedestal to the house (the power company engineer didn't want the transformer to close to the house, they hum). I found that the main lug (no main breaker, lugs for inputs) price was quite a bit higher than the big box price for a load center (main breaker panel), so I just used the load center, code doesn't care if you have two disconnects in series. I also put the panel inside, I can't see having all those circuits exposed to the elements, and it makes the outside of the house cleaner. I just ran the conduit underground into the house. If you look in an external box after a few years you will find everything is getting rusty, it is also nice to not have to go outside when you pop a breaker to reset it. All the fire department cares about is that your house have an obvious disconnect, my meter pedestal is right next to the driveway, so easy to shut the house off. Also, as jeepster noted, you will need to either up the wire size to match your main breaker, or reduce the amperage of the main breaker to match the wire you are using, you can't use wire that cannot handle the full load of the upstream breaker, otherwise it is a fire hazard, and a code violation. Those pedestal breakers tend to be kind of expensive, you might find that the price difference of the wire is less than the breaker. For my house I didn't run the wire though the wall, I have a step foundation, and I just ran the conduit under one of the steps. Did the same for the rest of the utilities, really cut down on the wall penetrations (see, some ICF content). I would also consider installing the biggest 200 amp main panel that will fit your spot. You may have no use for all those circuits now, but needs change, and the incremental up cost is minimal when you put it in, but much more expensive if you have to rip everything out and start again if you need to make a change.

Thanks for all of your advice but things have been decided for me as far as power goes.

Jeepster asks why the meter pedestal? Edison insists on meters being on the edge of the ranches next to the road so that they don't have to cross private property to access them. My installation was delayed by 6 months because when Edison went to inspect the handhole two doors down the crew got death threats. The power plans said "beware of 6 pit bulls" that the neighbor supposedly has. He doesn't but anyone who reads those plans will know not to go into that yard willy nilly. Along with my install that handhole deep inside the guys ranch was also moved to the edge next to the road. It's the wild west out there You city slickers wouldn't understand.

Why 200 AMP? Edison said that 200 AMP is the service that I will get. I told them that the plans for the house call for 100AMP. They said take the 200AMP. You don't have to use it right now. You can always build a second house and use it later. OK, fine. Either way most meter pedestals are for 200AMP service. It seems to be the standard.

As far as 2 AWG between the meter pedestal and the house. I callled my Los Angeles County building and safety electrical division because my inspector said they're the boss. Building and Safety said that 2 AWG is what I need. The issue of 4 AWG came up but they said if the distance is greater than 30 feet I need to use 2 AWG. OK fine. I'm not going to argue with the boss.

Regarding indoor vs outdoor panels. I'll take dave's advice. I don't like the idea of a rusty box outside either. I was considering an outdoor box because I have some 10x12's I want to connect as well. I can build anything I want, no permission needed, as long as it is 120 sq. ft. or less. Currently the 10x12's are used for storage but they will end up being used for living quarters. I could install a junction box of some sort outside and the rest inside.

to jacktca re: 90deg elbow:


use a conduit body, aka condulet.   you'll get a
removeable cover that will allow you to pull as well.


allan