Detached Shop Wire Size

[Bevis]

Getting some conflicting answers on what size copper wire to run thru my conduit to my detached shop. From my house 200 amp panel to the shop is 65' - 70', I want 100 amp to the shop panel. I have a 125 panel in the shop now, and will put a 100 amp breaker in the main house panel.
So should I run #1 or #2 for the distance / amp ?

 

[JoeFin]

Getting some conflicting answers on what size copper wire to run thru my conduit to my detached shop. From my house 200 amp panel to the shop is 65' - 70', I want 100 amp to the shop panel. I have a 125 panel in the shop now, and will put a 100 amp breaker in the main house panel.
So should I run #1 or #2 for the distance / amp ?

#2 awg
Voltage drop: 3.13
Voltage drop percentage: 1.30%
Voltage at the end: 236.87

under 3%

 

[madosta]

What size conduit do you have buried already?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

#2 Aluminum is good only for 90 amps. Breaker it at that.

Charles

 

[JoeFin]

#2 Aluminum is good only for 90 amps. Breaker it at that.

Charles

Who puts Aluminum in their own house

I figured it for 2 copper

 

[Norcal]

Who puts Aluminum in their own house

I figured it for 2 copper

I did, the SE conductors, house subfeed, & shop feeder are all AL. Aluminum is a great way to cut costs,and copper, or aluminum conductors installed improperly will cause problems, bias against aluminum conductors is just ignorance. BTW, #10 & 12 AWG AL conductors are still allowed by the NEC, if anyone was selling it. And no, I would not use it..

 

[Bevis]

What size conduit do you have buried already?

1.5" conduit....and no Aluminum !

 

[Bevis]

Guess I could've just went back and reread older posts ... I had a shop rebuild this year, after a neighbor walked away from a burn pile that got away from him. Overgrown lot behind my shop lit up and ran in all direstions... I get a call from the Vol. fire chief telling me to get home and help fight my shop fire

 

[JoeFin]

Sorry about your shop Bevis

But your going the same route I did - 1 1/2" conduit, #2 copper feeders.

Anything worth doing for your own home is worth doing right

 

[sberry]

I got 1000's of ft of alum. But 2 copper is good for 100. and now are limited by pipe size anyway.

 

[Bevis]

After going out and looking this morning before work, I stand corrected, it's 2".

 

[iowafarmkid]

If you invest in 1/0 Aluminum you should not have worry about voltage drop at that distance.

 

[Aceman]

Since you don't want aluminum, you only need #3 copper. 65-70' is nothing as far as voltage drop is concerned.

3-#3's and 1-#8 green is what you want. It will fly through 2" pipe.

 

[Falcon67]

Getting some conflicting answers on what size copper wire to run thru my conduit to my detached shop. From my house 200 amp panel to the shop is 65' - 70', I want 100 amp to the shop panel. I have a 125 panel in the shop now, and will put a 100 amp breaker in the main house panel.
So should I run #1 or #2 for the distance / amp ?

I ran 2-2-2-4 and breakered at 70A. Run is 120'. No problems with two AC units, heater, welding, etc, etc.

As wfor who put aluminum in their own house, I'd say people that learn the proper installation requirements to make a safe install. All utility runs to houses here are 4/0 AL. Nobody seems to be having problems with it.