need some help

[yugritin]

ok so im looking for some help on running power out to my shed/workshop. its aabout a 150 ft. run i have a 60a breaker i can use in the main box in the house. now i was told that i could use 6-6-6-6 AL but everything i have found says thats a big no no. so my question is 2-2-2-4 sufficient as i can not afford copper.

 

[yugritin]

come on anybody? do i have it wrong can i use 6-6-6-6 AL urd to run to a 60A sub panel?

 

[royalton10]

Not an electrician but I think you would need #4 copper at tha distance. I used #4 THWN copper in conduit for 125' for my detached garage with 60 amp panel. If you need #4 copper, then you would need #2 AL. The rule of thumb I have heard is AL to be 2 sizes larger than copper requirements.

Others need to weigh in.

 

[mrb]

aluminum 6 is only good for 50 amps. With your distance you are going to have voltage drop problems with any siginificant current draw on the 6. How much power do you need out there? #2 is probably the logical choice.

Note: you mentioned the cable as being URD. It must also be marked with a listed wire type XHHW, RHHW, etc or you cant use it.

Dont forget your two ground rods at the detached structure.

 

[yugritin]

ok went to the southwire web site it said the 6-6-6-6 is good for 60a. planned on running just a 220 to power my compressor and a couple of 110 lines for couple of smaller tools. so 2-2-2-4 would be a sure thing?

 

[yugritin]

also i have a 60a breaker available because we no longer use our electric baseboard heat so could i just replace that breaker with a 50a breaker and be good?

 

[royalton10]

I would assume the 6-6-6-6 they show in calculator is copper.

 

[yugritin]

nope that was list under Al seu

 

[mrb]

nope that was list under Al seu

are you looking at the 90deg column? Cant use that.

 

[Aceman]

Run the #2 AL and be done with it.

It doesn't really matter what that #6 is rated at, because it's too small anyways.

 

[yugritin]

the most i would be drawing out there at one time would be 35-45 amps

 

[yugritin]

the most i would draw at one time would be 35-45 amps i reckon thats between the compressor when its running a overhead light and a small shop vac for the blast cabinet.

 

[mrb]

#6AL @ 150ft will give you 3.4% vd @ 40 amps and 4.3% or 10 volts @ 50 amps.

what is the voltage at your house panel?

 

[yugritin]

not sure where would i find that?

 

[mrb]

not sure where would i find that?

in the panel with a CAT III multimeter and proper safety precautions.

perhaps you want to bring in an electrician to do this?