Another Subpanel wire size question

[67 camaro]

Hello all,
Long time lurker, great site.

I am having to run a new line out to my garage (200 feet). The prior owner did a horrible job wiring and ran 8 gauge to the garage 240v.

I figure 100 amp or 90 amp will work. I will be running a 240 v welder, compressor, and plasma cutter. None should be run at the same time. Which of the below three should I use? It will be underground and in conduit. I live in central Texas out side of the city.

The difference in price is about $225 more for the thicker wire.

$324

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-2-2-2-4-Aluminum-Quad-****-Wire-By-the-Foot-55417399/205001803

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-2-2-2-4-Aluminum-SER-Wire-By-the-Foot-13102999/205001908

$550

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-1-0-1-0-1-0-2-Aluminum-SER-Wire-By-the-Foot-13104599/205001906

I recently purchased this box to replace the box in the garage:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-Power...er-TM1212CCU2K/100167667?keyword=043481000428

Its not installed if I should take it back for a different one.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Aceman]

I'd take it back and get a panel with 20+ spaces, they go fast with 240v loads. I personally like copper bussed Siemens, Sq D QO, and Cutler Hammer CH. If you already have one of these style panels in your home I'd match it just to keep the breakers the same.

Secondly, you don't want any of those cable types you selected. This is what you want:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwir...ice-Entry-Electrical-Cable-28712801/202316409

Or buy 4 individual cuts of wire(essentially making your own 4 conductor cable), if MHF isn't available in your area.

 

[67 camaro]

Thanks for the suggestion. What is the difference in the wiring?

 

[Aceman]

The **** cable is used for power company secondary distribution, the SER cable can be used for indoor/outdoor applications, but not underground.

 

[67 camaro]

Would this work for the length?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwire-2-2-4-6-Aluminum-MHF-Wire-By-the-Foot-30163099/205001794

looking for by the foot since I do not need a 500 feet

 

[Aceman]

Yes.

 

[ovilla]

Ask the store if you can buy a big roll and then return any unused portion. That's what I ended up doing.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

At 200' i would suggest going bigger than #2 AL.

I would use #1 AL.

 

[theoldwizard1]

At 200' i would suggest going bigger than #2 AL.

I would use #1 AL.

Or drop the breaker in house panel down to 60A. Still should be plenty for what you described as long as you are only using the equipment 1 at a time.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Or drop the breaker in house panel down to 60A. Still should be plenty for what you described as long as you are only using the equipment 1 at a time.

Kinda hard when u need a compressor to run a plasma cutter...

 

[67 camaro]

Thanks for the help.

Running the compressor and Plasma at the same time was my only concern. The amount of plasma cutting I do is minimal and was letting my tank fill up and then cut a little then let it fill up again.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

What model comp welder and plasma cutter are u using?

Any AC or elec heating?

 

[67 camaro]

Sorry for the delay:

welder Lincoln 180 HD





Lotos LT5000d Plasma





Compressor (Home depot Husky 60 gallon)

 

[67 camaro]

No AC or heating except fans.

Also with 2-2-4-6 what size breaker and should they both (sub panel-main panel) be the same. might be a stupid question but just making sure.

Thanks again

 

[Norcal]

No AC or heating except fans.

Also with 2-2-4-6 what size breaker and should they both (sub panel-main panel) be the same. might be a stupid question but just making sure.

Thanks again

Your panel could be a 100A or 200A main breaker model, the wiring will be protected at 90A so as long as the lugs in the panel are rated for the conductors being used, the main breaker is just a disconnect, the reason I even mentioned a 200A panel is a lot of people tend to cheap out on the number of spaces available in the panels they install which is a big mistake, install a big one at the beginning & one will never complain about too small a loadcenter when future changes happen, 40-42 spaces are great.

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ Listen to the Sparky guru's on GJ. 2-2-4-6 Aluminum is grossly undersized for 200 ft if you're thinking 100 amp.

I'd bite bullet and bury 3" plastic conduit that 200 ft and go with large Aluminum wire, especially if you have many turns on the route as 2" conduit will be tight.

 

[Aceman]

^ ^ ^ Listen to the Sparky guru's on GJ. 2-2-4-6 Aluminum is grossly undersized for 200 ft if you're thinking 100 amp.

Since I'm a "sparky" and I recommended the #2 aluminum cable for his garage, I'm interested to know just how "grossly undersized" this cable recommendation I made is?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

With max load(90a) and #2 AL the VD would be 4.7%. At 70a, the VD would be 3.7%....however i dont think the OP will be running at max load.

He does have any large equipment so he could probably get away with #2 and minimal VD over the 200' length...

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Big panel has lots of room to work in, even if you are not planning on filling it up, the space is nice. Get a 40 space panel with a copper bus bar.