Quick Wiring Size Question

[pshepard327ci]

I just finished getting new garage built and am planning on putting a sub panel in garage. I will have a 60amp breaker in main box that goes to the 100a subpanel. My only question is that i was told that 8/3 copper would be fine since i am not ever going to pull full load. Just some basic welding and maybe a compressor, but wont be using compressor while welding or anything like that. I was told that 8/3 is ok for 60a by a friend who does this stuff but i dont wanna make a mistake.

Peter

 

[bmwpower]

I just finished getting new garage built and am planning on putting a sub panel in garage. I will have a 60amp breaker in main box that goes to the 100a subpanel. My only question is that i was told that 8/3 copper would be fine since i am not ever going to pull full load. Just some basic welding and maybe a compressor, but wont be using compressor while welding or anything like that. I was told that 8/3 is ok for 60a by a friend who does this stuff but i dont wanna make a mistake.

Peter

How far of a distance? It matters. You have voltage drop and correction factors to deal with.

#8 is only good for 40A.

If it were me, I'd pull big enough wire for 100A

 

[Falthead]

I just finished getting new garage built and am planning on putting a sub panel in garage. I will have a 60amp breaker in main box that goes to the 100a subpanel. My only question is that i was told that 8/3 copper would be fine since i am not ever going to pull full load. Just some basic welding and maybe a compressor, but wont be using compressor while welding or anything like that. I was told that 8/3 is ok for 60a by a friend who does this stuff but i dont wanna make a mistake.

Peter

Just finished the same job with my attached garage. I ran 6/3 which in some electrical books is ok for 60 amps and others say 4/3. An electrician friend says that the 6/3 is ok for average work in the garage. My run from the main was 25 feet.

 

[z28toz06]

How far of a distance? It matters. You have voltage drop and correction factors to deal with.

#8 is only good for 40A.

If it were me, I'd pull big enough wire for 100A

You really should put in the largest wire rated for the current draw. If later on you do need an extra circuit or upgraded machinery you will kick yourself in the ****. Additionally if you mpve and sell the next guy will have no idea and think since its 100 amp it should be wired for 100 amp. dont cheap out on the dangerous stuff.

 

[bmwpower]

You really should put in the largest wire rated for the current draw. If later on you do need an extra circuit or upgraded machinery you will kick yourself in the ****. Additionally if you mpve and sell the next guy will have no idea and think since its 100 amp it should be wired for 100 amp. dont cheap out on the dangerous stuff.

Correct, but as long as he has the proper size breaker in the main panel which is matched to the wire size, he should be "ok". Again, I'd go bigger, but not everybody want to spend the extra $ to go bigger. I haven't priced big copper these days, but I'm guessing it's not cheap. As long as you do it safe...

 

[pshepard327ci]

Correct, but as long as he has the proper size breaker in the main panel which is matched to the wire size, he should be "ok". Again, I'd go bigger, but not everybody want to spend the extra $ to go bigger. I haven't priced big copper these days, but I'm guessing it's not cheap. As long as you do it safe...

Yeah, safety is the most important. I can get wire at cost, but I went off what my friend advised, will wait to talk to him but might as well do the 6-3, that way i dont have to worry about it. Sometimes i think some people over do it but if the correct gage for 60a is 6-3 thats what i'll do. Thanks all, this site ROCKS!!