Garage feed conduit

[CanuckGT]

Ok, another question,I have my power supply up to the garage,it is running in a 2" pvc conduit to an LB,I haven't drilled my hole into the garage yet but once drilled, can I just stub a small 2" piece of conduit into the garage from the LB then route my wires to the panel? Or do I have to attach another LB and up to the panel keeping it in conduit to the panel?

Also, my copper ground wire from the grounding rods,can I run this in the same 2" conduit as my feed ?

Thanks!

 

[wyliesdiesels]

What type of wire are you using to feed the garage?

 

[ddawg16]

Ground in same conduit....yes....and suggested.

This is a detached garage? If so, you can't use the same ground rods as the house....in other words, you need the ground and neutral from your main load center.....the ground and neutral in your sub panel are NOT bonded together....the only place that is done is at your main load center.

You will then need 2 more ground rods at your garage....spaced 6' apart.....one of them can be right at the LB...that ground also gets attached to your ground bar.....

Like whliesdiesels asked....what kind of wire? At least you got the conduit size right....2"? Nice to work with....and pull wire. I'm assuming your using THWN....if it's THHN...make sure it also says THWN....THHN is not for use in areas where it can get wet, such as underground conduit...but then again, most THHN is also marked THWN.

Where you come in....as long as it's covered (drywall), I believe that you just need a chase ****** and your fine. Personally, it if was me....I'd put another LB on the inside and run conduit up to the sub-panel....assuming the sub-panel is right above where your coming in....

The main thing is that the wire is protected from damage.....

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Whether he needs conduit or not inside depends on what type of cable he's using. If THHN/THWN, those are loose conductors and need to be in conduit inside!

 

[CanuckGT]

I have in ground Nexans WE 2C 4/0 AWG Alum. It comes from a splitter box with one feed feeding my house,the other is going to feed my garage.Also, at the pole is a meter and 200 amp breaker.

I have installed 2-5/8"x10' ground rods 10' apart that parallel the garage 18" away. Theser are connected with #6 copper grd wire.

BTW,I am in Alberta Canada, and this is a detached garage.

 

[Aceman]

It's easier to run the conduit up the outside high enough to LB into the back of the panel.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I'm not familiar with that brand of cable so I will have to look it up. But if I'm reading it right, why is it 2 conductor? Is there a neutral conductor?

 

[CanuckGT]

Yes, here is a link :http://www.nexans.us/eservice/US-en..._Underground_Secondary_Distribution_.html#top

I did not install this wire, it was dug in by the previous owner.

Also note.....I am not an electrician

 

[wyliesdiesels]

How long is the wire run to your garage? Also, I'm not familiar with Canadian code so I probably shouldn't comment on the code aspects of the wiring!

 

[pattenp]

The cable you linked to is twisted assemblies of conductors. US code requires it to be in conduit where above ground. I would think the same would be required in Canada. Another issue is this cable may not be fire resistant rated to be allowed to come inside of the structure. Canadian code may have a similar provision as US code when it comes to this type of cable. A lot of secondary under ground distribution cable does not have fire resistant insulation.

 

[tfi racing]

As long as your cable will be protected by the finished wall(ie,inside the stud cavity),it can be run without conduit to your panel,assuming its a reasonably short distance(within 1.5m).If possible,you could also mount your LB higher on the exterior wall and ****** into the back of your panel.I don't see an issue with running your ground wire with it either.

 

[Norcal]

As long as your cable will be protected by the finished wall(ie,inside the stud cavity),it can be run without conduit to your panel,assuming its a reasonably short distance(within 1.5m).If possible,you could also mount your LB higher on the exterior wall and ****** into the back of your panel.I don't see an issue with running your ground wire with it either.

That is IMO, scary advice conductors need to be in conduit above ground, running conductors like that is a big red flag that the electrical work was a hack job.

 

[tfi racing]

Scary?Why?Maybe you didn't see the word "cable",of course it would be sleeved in PVC conduit for mechanical protection on the outside of the building from the trench to the LB...

 

[pattenp]

The term "Cable" in it self does not mean it is suitable to be run within a wall cavity without being in conduit. Most distribution cable is wire conductors twisted into a cable but does not have an outer jacket that would allow it to be run without using conduit.

 

[CanuckGT]

So, not sure what is right or wrong, I will try to get a local (Alberta,Canada) Electrician to have a look, I did have one look at it and he figured it looked fine the was I had it (conduit from outside to LB then stubbed into the wall)

Will also phone the local inspector and report back here.Thanks!