Correct wire to run underground?

[italie]

Hello all,

Quick questions about running 50 amp service 75ft to a detached garage.

I'm building a new garage myself, and at the point where I need to run power. My original plans called for schedule 40 coming from the house to the garage. I'd be pulling 6\3-WG UF to a 100 amp panel in the garage (50 amp breaker at the house panel).

I'm having a hard time locating 6\3 , even my local electrical supply house lists it as special order. Are there any other recommendations for what wire I should be using? Is separate conductors of #6 THWN acceptable for use underground in pvc? Any good sources for 6/3?

In the Chicagoland area, figured that mattered as some of our electrical codes are a little different than every other city on the planet...

Thanks to any who reply.

 

[Motofixxer]

A good option is alum 2-2-2-4 SER, SEC, Mobile home cable, or whatever it's called by you. I'm pretty sure you can use it in conduit underground. It's only around $1\ft. And you can upsize your breaker if needed. I would say 1 1/2" PVC Conduit at a minimum. But I'm no pro, so maybe we will get one in here soon.

 

[Gooch]

Hello all,

Quick questions about running 50 amp service 75ft to a detached garage.

I'm building a new garage myself, and at the point where I need to run power. My original plans called for schedule 40 coming from the house to the garage. I'd be pulling 6\3-WG UF to a 100 amp panel in the garage (50 amp breaker at the house panel).

I'm having a hard time locating 6\3 , even my local electrical supply house lists it as special order. Are there any other recommendations for what wire I should be using? Is separate conductors of #6 THWN acceptable for use underground in pvc? Any good sources for 6/3?

In the Chicagoland area, figured that mattered as some of our electrical codes are a little different than every other city on the planet...

Thanks to any who reply.

THHN will be fine in pvc underground.

if you really want to do romex, you'll probably have to get out of the chicago area to get it, it's stocked everywhere i've been.

 

[Norcal]

THHN will be fine in pvc underground.if you really want to do romex, you'll probably have to get out of the chicago area to get it, it's stocked everywhere i've been.

THHN is for dry locations only which a underground installation is not, THWN is for wet locations, that being said most THHN is dual rated THHN / THWN but one must verify before purchasing & it will require a conduit.

 

[justsam]

Don't know how picky your inspectors are, but you may want to insure you are using PVC CONDUIT and not just schedule 40 PVC PIPE. There are some requirements for temperature and flame retardation for CONDUIT as opposed to PIPE.

 

[thrifty bill]

The mobile home feed is more like $2 a foot here. Still plan on using it for. My garage.

 

[Gooch]

THHN is for dry locations only which a underground installation is not, THWN is for wet locations, that being said most THHN is dual rated THHN / THWN but one must verify before purchasing & it will require a conduit.

good catch!

 

[Norcal]

Don't know how picky your inspectors are, but you may want to insure you are using PVC CONDUIT and not just schedule 40 PVC PIPE. There are some requirements for temperature and flame retardation for CONDUIT as opposed to PIPE.

If someone is stupid enough to use PVC pipe for conduit,they need a "working over" w/ a baseball bat. The issue besides lack of listing for the purpose, is how do you tell the difference between water pipe & conduit underground????If they are both white.

Edit: if both are white PVC pipe.

 

[Motofixxer]

Well I was assuming anyone gonna lay their own underground sleeve knows PVC conduit in the ground is the grey underground rated...but I guess it wouldn't hurt to point it out.

 

[italie]

Thanks for all the replies. I've decided to run single conductors (THWN) through the conduit instead of 6/3, looks to be about $100 cheaper as well.

I'll be pulling two hots (#6), one Neutral (#6), and a ground (#8). Yes, the conduit I have is correct. No worries there. I was assuming that 6/3 would have been easier to deal with, but apparently the Chicago area hates Romex.

Decided against the RV cable due to the size, surprisingly the cost, and an inspector who "Just doesn't like it".