Electrical run

[67hotrod]

Hi,
I just started running power to my new pole barn. I have the wires pulled between the home and barn. I used USE-2 wire, #2 hots and neutral, #4 ground. I can't easily run conduit to the panel in my basement so I want to splice to SER. I bought a 100 amp disconnect from Mendars (br2100brp). It's a bit redundant to have a breaker for the junction box but I don't trust my splicing capability. The question I have is do I bond the neutral and ground in the disconnect box? there is no room for the #4 ground. I think I need to add a ground bar or something.
Any advice would be appreciated. I can return the disconnect and go the JB route, but would need advice on splicing.

Thanks!

 

[Norcal]

Neutral & grounding conductors are only bonded at the service equipment, after that they are separate.

 

[pattenp]

Are you aware that the feeding breaker in the main panel can be no larger than 90 amps for #2 aluminum? The 100A breaker disconnect is fine being midstream.




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[wyliesdiesels]

Does the USE wire u used have any other ratings and does it enter the barn structure?

 

[67hotrod]

Man I'm having problems with this site or my computer…lost my whole winded reply! I 'll keep this one short…kind of.

I did plan on using a 90 amp breaker. I'm running USE-2 or RHH or RHW or RHW-2 as marked on the wire (south wire). I'm running from junction box on house to barn, underground in 2" conduit 24" deep. THe conduit was cast into the barns floor and comes up directly under the panel. I want to use the USE-2 all the way into the barn panel, unless this is not permitted.
I will use SER from the house panel to the junction box. I have no easy way to run conduit to the house panel.
My concern was how to use the 100 amp disconnect as a junction box. I realize it is a redundant breaker and I hope the inspector doesn't flag it. I would ask him these questions if he ever would return my calls! The disconnect doesn't have provisions for separate ground. I think it was made for a use directly after the meter - no ground? If this can't be bonded (it came with a bonding screw by the way) then I think I need to splice the ground wire or add a unbounded grounding terminal. But if I do this would I have to ground the disconnect with its own ground rod?
Maybe this would be easier if I just by a junction box and try to find a crimper for rent. I don't like the idea of collars with set screws. Just my ignorance i guess. Do they make a JB with splicing terminals?

I guess I'm looking for advice on transition from USE-2 to SER. ALso please let me know if I should also use SER to enter the barn. I'm not past the point of no return.

Thanks!

 

[pattenp]

With the RHH/RHW rating the wire can go inside the barn In conduit. Get a ground bar for the disconnect panel and isolate the neutral bar from the ground. No grounding electrodes are needed off the disconnect.

I would use a PVC Jbox and use splice/reducers to splice the wire.

 

[67hotrod]

Thanks for the advise. I was worried for a minute that I pulled the wrong wire. Almost went with MHF but the RHH/RHW save me some money!

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Do u have a pic of the wire?

Typically MHF IS rated RHH/RHW/USE-2

 

[pattenp]

If you didn't get MHF I assume you must have gotten a single conductor of RHH/RHW-2/USE-2 and made up the wires. The MHF is the same thing but is a pre-assembled cable of RHH/RHW-2/USE-2.

 

[jimm1]

Neutral & grounding conductors are only bonded at the service equipment, after that they are separate.

yes, it looks like this is so

 

[67hotrod]

Yes I pulled individual wire. 3 - #2 gage and 1-#4 gage. It came out cheaper per foot for the 4 wire combination over MFH from Menards. I bought the wire from a local supply house. it was easy to pull through the 2" PVC, 150 feet. Pictures not turning out to good - to dark.
Here is a link

http://ecatalog.mecampbell.com/default.aspx?page=item+detail&itemcode=WIRUSEAL2CUT&catlist=981

 

[pattenp]

Since you made up the wire be sure to mark the neutral ends with white tape and the ground ends with green.

 

[67hotrod]

Yes, I definitely will. I think I'm all set. The only thing I have to figure out now is the proper way to wire my 5HP compressor. I was going to wire a 40 amp plug and use it for my wire welder as well. But know I'm thinking of hard wiring the compressor and setting up a plug for the welder. Not sure yet.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Yes, I definitely will. I think I'm all set. The only thing I have to figure out now is the proper way to wire my 5HP compressor. I was going to wire a 40 amp plug and use it for my wire welder as well. But know I'm thinking of hard wiring the compressor and setting up a plug for the welder. Not sure yet.

Unless u can find a plug and recepticle rated for 5 or more HP then the compressor needs to be hardwired.

Typical nema plugs(ie. 6-50p) are rated at 3HP.