#2 copper wire--deal??

[bimmer1980]

I just picked up a spool of #2 gauge copper wire for $300. it has two runs of 300 feet on it. Did I get a good deal or not?

I plan to use it to supply a new sub panel in the garage. It should run a 125 amp panel, according to one of my electricians.....

the number on the wire is rhw-2 / use-2. I beleive that it rates it for use in conduit or direct bury.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

If you will use this same wire for the neutral and the ground back to the main, you need to be sure and properly mark the accessible ends of the wires properly, white paint or tape around the neutral and green paint or tape around the ground. You are allowed to remark on larger than #6 AWG sizes.

Edit: looking closely at the pic I cannot tell, is this all black wire? or is it spiral marked with white, grey or green? looks like something, but cannot tell for sure.

If it is spiral marked with green, you are NOT allowed to re-mark the wire for use as a hot or neutral. If marked with a white or grey, you are not allowed to re-mark the wire for use as a hot or ground. 200.7 among others. There are exceptions to these rules, depending on the installation (conduit, direct bury, etc.)

Charles

 

[Aceman]

I just picked up a spool of #2 gauge copper wire for $300. it has two runs of 300 feet on it. Did I get a good deal or not?

You're doing it backwards, you're supposed to ask before you buy the wire...

 

[Bevis]

Charles it looks all black with white lettering on it. I made the big bigger to see.

 

[malibu101]

For what it is worth- I bought #3 THHN copper at the local electrical supply house yesterday for .60 cents a foot.

 

[bimmer1980]

It is all black. I made the snap decision to buy because I had seen at Home Depot that the similar wire was $1.60 a foot. So a bit of an impulse buy, but I think I saved a little.

Yes, I was planning to cut it and make a 150' run of four wires. I was planning to mark it well.

At work, I've had electricians mis mark the hot and neutral and cause some major damage to our equipment--so I'm very familiar with the need to mark things correctly....

 

[malibu101]

Don't EVER buy "large" wire at HD! Total rip-off.
Romex though, buy it at HD. Usually always best price around on that.