Buckaroo5
Well-known member
Planning to install a 60 amp subpanel in the detached garage. It's about 60 ft and would like to run it underground. What size wire? Conduit? How deep? thx
60 amp Sub Panel Feed?
- Thread starter Buckaroo5
- Start date
alfredeneuman
Well-known member
#6 Copper and a #10 ground THWN. or
#4 Aluminum and a #8 ground, THWN or XHHW.
1-1/4" PVC Sch40 underground, Sch 80 where exposed.
18" deep (to top of conduit) from grade.
#4 Aluminum and a #8 ground, THWN or XHHW.
1-1/4" PVC Sch40 underground, Sch 80 where exposed.
18" deep (to top of conduit) from grade.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Conduit is not required if you purchase "direct burial" cable like 2-2-2-4 Aluminum Mobile Home Feeder (MHF). If you are do direct burial I would go at least 24" deep.
alfredeneuman
Well-known member
Conduit is required both above ground and inside the structure.
24" is the minimum allowed by Code.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
2-2-4-6 MHF is great for this application. you can breaker it up to 90a (or keep it at the 60 you are desiring) and it comes already bundled.
it will probably be a wash to do #4 al xhhw, so up to you if you want the extra capacity.
i agree on the panel size, get something around 20 spaces, 100a main. you will need to unbond the neutral, so make sure to get something that either includes a ground bar or has one available
something like this
you also need two ground rods or to tie into a UFER.
do not buy URD wire, unless it has a rhw-2/use-2 rating as it is not allowed inside a structure.
it will probably be a wash to do #4 al xhhw, so up to you if you want the extra capacity.
i agree on the panel size, get something around 20 spaces, 100a main. you will need to unbond the neutral, so make sure to get something that either includes a ground bar or has one available
something like this
Square D Homeline 100 Amp 20-Space 40-Circuit Indoor Main Breaker Plug-On Neutral Load Center with Cover(HOM2040M100PCVP) HOM2040M100PCVP - The Home Depot
The Square D Electric Homeline Value Pack 100 Amp 20-Space 40-Circuit Indoor Convertible Main Breaker Load Center provides safety and value to contractors, remodelers or homeowners. It's built with a plated, aluminum bus bar that's compatible with Square D Homeline circuit breakers. These...
www.homedepot.com
you also need two ground rods or to tie into a UFER.
do not buy URD wire, unless it has a rhw-2/use-2 rating as it is not allowed inside a structure.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
matt151617
Well-known member
Just plan for 100 amp and save yourself the trouble of having to do it again in the future. So run MHF in 2" conduit. Don't forget to consider if you'll need Ethernet or cable out there (will the wifi signal reach?); it's easy to add another conduit run while the trench is open.
Also don't forget you need 2 ground rods.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Can't do 100a on #2 mhf...max of 90a. That said, it's not easy for a one person shop to exceed 60a
matt151617
Well-known member
Right. 100 amp subpanel/service. Breaker it for 90 at the main panel.
And I thought the same thing until I got an electric vehicle. Charge a car, run a compressor, and turn on a saw and you're already over 60 amps.
Crazyjake8493
Well-known member
When I did this 10 years ago I ran 2-2-2-4 MHF in 1.5" PVC conduit all the way. 2" would've been a tad easier with the bends. 100-amp 20-space panel in the garage, fed by a 60-amp in the house. 60A was the largest breaker Lowes had in the store at the time. Never felt the need to go up to 90A working by myself, but it's there if I need it.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
That's not 100a service, though. That's 90a.
I get you know what you mean, I'm trying to make it clear for the OP