I found some 1ga single strand copper wire on CL for $1 per foot. Any idea if this will fit into a 100 amp GE circuit breaker?
Copper wire Question
- Thread starter 930dreamer
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MrMark
Well-known member
Almost certainly. 100 amp is generally #2 or #3 wire so #1 is just one size up. Breakers seem to take several sizes up from code sizing to handle volt drop and probably other reasons, like yours.
My only issue would be "single strand" wire. I would investigate that. The large wire I have seen is always multistranded.
My only issue would be "single strand" wire. I would investigate that. The large wire I have seen is always multistranded.
OP
I was wondering about that also, thanks.
OP
Yes, the catch is it's 300 feet. I can't swear single strand yet.
UPDATE;
I called again 450ft, 2/0 insulated, multi-strand, $400 cash.
Last edited:
MrMark
Well-known member
Well, now your breaker most likely will not take that. Make sure not stolen, there are a lot of copper thieves these days.
I would suspect it is stolen. The scrap price on that would be $600+ if you burned the insulation off. That is service cable or for hard wiring welding packs. It is good for 200 amps. The likelyhood of you using 450 ft if you are not in industry is slim. The roll is quite big and probably over 200 pounds. If you can use it, it is a great deal. If you can scrap it with no trouble it is a great deal also. Your call.
OP
My use for some of it, would be to wire a single 100 amp circuit for a rotary phase converter.
Docholiday
Well-known member
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- May 14, 2012
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A 100amp breaker at least the one I use 1/0 will fit. R u sure it's not 1/0?
OP
Never just burn off the insulation. The scrap yards give you the same price as if you just left the insulation on it. Sometimes less even. You can strip 450' in 30 minutes. Roll it out, put one end under a car tire or something and run a knife up the wire like you were debarking a tree.
A 450' roll of 2/0 is worth somewhere around 1400 bucks from a wholesaler depending on the type of insulation.
And stripped and recycled is worth 500+. Something smells fishy.
An electrical contractor would not sell it.
As for fitting, Residential breaker or commercial? Commercial you may be able to change the lug out. I don't use GE though so could't tell you for sure.