Subpanel wiring - conduit or no?

[Keep]

I am in the process of adding a 100amp subpanel to my attached garage. I contacted the code people about wire size and got #3 copper or #2 alum. I plan on running #3 copper but forgot to ask them if the wires needed to be run in a conduit or not and trying to get an answer out of them is like pulling teeth.

All the lines will be indoors the entire way. I do plan on running conduit the last 8 feet regardless as it is through a finished ceiling area and I really do not want to rip out the tongue-in-groove pine ceiling to run the wire. (Though if I really have to I will)

If conduit is required, what is recommended? metal? pvc? I would think a 2 inch size would be needed to fit the cables.

Thanks in advance.

 

[tfi racing]

If using individual conductors(3x#3,1x#8),they must be in conduit,1 1/2" EMT,long runs of PVC inside are frowned upon.In your situation a cable would may be more suitable,3/3 NMD,3/4 Teck or 2/3 ACWU would likely do it.For obvious reasons,your local inspectors won't tell you how to do the job over the phone,they usually only give yes or no answers!You should pick up the Simplified Code book available at most big box stores,it will give you the Canadian info you need.

 

[Keep]

Thanks.

I did not know they had #3 wire bundled (well what I called bundled) I will call the local elec shop and ask them about that. I was planning on individual wires but I would much rather run 1 instead of 4!!!

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

I think it only has to be in conduit if the cable is exposed.

 

[bochnak]

I was able to ask my local building inspector for codes regarding trenching elec/gas to my detached.

I stressed that I had several contractors quote different materials and methods, and I wanted to double check which one was correct.

Or course, I was just picking his brain so I can do it myself…to code!

 

[Keep]

I was able to ask my local building inspector for codes regarding trenching elec/gas to my detached.

I stressed that I had several contractors quote different materials and methods, and I wanted to double check which one was correct.

Or course, I was just picking his brain so I can do it myself…to code!

lol nice. I will have to give that a shot.

 

[FarmerSid]

I am in the process of adding a 100amp subpanel to my attached garage. I contacted the code people about wire size and got #3 copper or #2 alum. I plan on running #3 copper but forgot to ask them if the wires needed to be run in a conduit or not and trying to get an answer out of them is like pulling teeth.

All the lines will be indoors the entire way. I do plan on running conduit the last 8 feet regardless as it is through a finished ceiling area and I really do not want to rip out the tongue-in-groove pine ceiling to run the wire. (Though if I really have to I will)

If conduit is required, what is recommended? metal? pvc? I would think a 2 inch size would be needed to fit the cables.

Thanks in advance.

I'm only about 2 hrs east of you. I had to run #2 aluminum to feed my 100AMP subpanel as well. About 75 ft of it is inside 1 1/2" pvc conduit inside my house. My inspector told me what he wanted ahead of time and that is what I did. Come to find out the conduit he told me to use is not what is commonly used. So the supply house had to order it in and at an little extra cost. Find out what the supply houses usually sell for 100A applications. I was told to use 1 1/2" pvc but the supply house usually sells 2" for my application and I mentioned this to the inspector and he said that would have been fine too. Aluminum is fine to run as long as you use a breaker in the main panel that is rated for aluminum as well as the sub panel main breaker. You need to use a special paste to prevent corrosion on aluminum wiring. Price out the two and pick what one you want to use. Copper was sky high when I built so that is why I used aluminum feeder wire. The entire bard and shop is wired with copper.

Since you are running this to an attached garage, you will need to run a ground as well. Most likely #6 copper. Go to www.esainspection.net/ and poke around. There are answers to alot of questions regarding the Canadain electrical code.

 

[Keep]

Thanks. I have been posting to the esasafe site. The FAQ is okay but of course it does not have any info on what I am doing.

Copper prices around here are not too bad. Its $15.30 a meter for the 3/3 wire. When I priced it out last summer it was around $35 a meter! I am just more comfortable with copper over alum. I know they are both good, just personal pref.

I have a pretty good relationship with the elec supply shop so hopefully they can help me out with what I need.