Sub panel install/conduit question

[183beast]

Running a panel out to my shop. The main breaker box is in my attached garage. Do I need to run the wires (that will be in the wall) in conduit? Can I just have them enter the conduit when it leaves the garage? I'm having difficulty finding the proper bends to make it into the box.

 

[engineer2]

Does your local code allow Romex or require metal conduit?
What gauge wire are you looking at?

 

[183beast]

2/0-3 Aluminum SER Cable w/ 1AWG Ground. I'll be using 3" grey pvc.

 

[teamextreme]

I'll be the first to say it....We need more info. Conduit or not depends entirely on what type of wiring you are running, which you didn't state. While you're at it you should also list wire size, quantity, distance, conduit size, load etc.

Edit: Beat me to it while I was typing. I'll let the full time sparkies replay as to SER cable's conduit requirements.

 

[Stuart in MN]

What state or country do you live in?

 

[tyme2par4]

The NEC allows SE cable to be run indoors or outdoors without conduit. It cannot be run underground (NEC 338.12).

 

[matt_i]

In addition to conduit sweeps (usually 45 degree or 90 deg) radiused tubular bent pieces, there are also LBs for tight turning. The cable, however is not happy, initially, at being forced to make a tight bend and so some oversize of the conduit is a good idea. Pulling individual THHN/THWN conductors also makes it easier to conform to an LB over a multi-conductor-single-jacket cable.

 

[183beast]

I'll have a 100amp panel in the shop fed from the main panel 220ft away. Can you recommend a wire that would Work? Preferably with the conduit layout discussed above.

 

[ard]

Nevermind. Carry on...

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Running a panel out to my shop. The main breaker box is in my attached garage. Do I need to run the wires (that will be in the wall) in conduit? Can I just have them enter the conduit when it leaves the garage? I'm having difficulty finding the proper bends to make it into the box.

That all depends on what type of wire u use.

If u use SER for the inside portion, then no conduit needed inside the walls.

If u use MHF or individual conductors such as THWN, then you will need conduit.

Does your local code allow Romex or require metal conduit? What gauge wire are you looking at?

nm-B aka Romex, is not allowed outside or underground.

2/0-3 Aluminum SER Cable w/ 1AWG Ground. I'll be using 3" grey pvc.

SER will only be usable inside.

I'll have a 100amp panel in the shop fed from the main panel 220ft away. Can you recommend a wire that would Work? Preferably with the conduit layout discussed above.

At that distance u should use at least 1/0 al.

What loads do u plan on having in the garage?

 

[penright]

Running a panel out to my shop. The main breaker box is in my attached garage.

By these two statements, sounds like your shop is/going to be detach. Also the "main breaker", is that on an outside wall? Can you take pictures, draw the path from your house to the shop and post a picture. Is the shop/shop slab existing?

To give my questions context,read this post at my build thread
My run was 205.

My friend had a saying, we all serve as examples, some good and some bad. Depending on where you are at in the process, I am not against sharing my mistakes if it saves someone else from making them.

Also, heads up, if you are installing a sub panel in a detached building. You will get a lot of opinions. Give @wyliesdiesels suggestions serious thought. I am new here, but I have seen others mention in their posts he is knowledgeable and a straight shooter.

 

[183beast]

That all depends on what type of wire u use.

If u use SER for the inside portion, then no conduit needed inside the walls.

If u use MHF or individual conductors such as THWN, then you will need conduit.



nm-B aka Romex, is not allowed outside or underground.



SER will only be usable inside.



At that distance u should use at least 1/0 al.

What loads do u plan on having in the garage?

Lights, outlets, welder and a compressor. Nothing crazy, just a workshop.

I already have all the conduit(3") so I need a wire rated for underground conduit use. I was looking at using 2/0 aluminum. As far as pictures I'm away for work so I can't post any for awhile.

I've looked at thwn, xhhw, mhf and a few others. What would you use for the application?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Lights, outlets, welder and a compressor. Nothing crazy, just a workshop.

I already have all the conduit(3") so I need a wire rated for underground conduit use. I was looking at using 2/0 aluminum. As far as pictures I'm away for work so I can't post any for awhile.

I've looked at thwn, xhhw, mhf and a few others. What would you use for the application?

Still NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION ! How far, box to box ?

Unofficially, you only need about 60A in that shop, unless you are planning on having party with 4-6 welding and grinding. For a 1 man operation that is fine.

As others have pointed out, you will need 4 wires run out there.

At 60A, depending on the distance, you probably only need 2-2-2-4 Al. You could run SER to a junction box where the cable exits the building and then run MHF. Make sure you have a big enough J-box and I would use something like a Polaris connector.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Lights, outlets, welder and a compressor. Nothing crazy, just a workshop.

I already have all the conduit(3") so I need a wire rated for underground conduit use. I was looking at using 2/0 aluminum. As far as pictures I'm away for work so I can't post any for awhile.

I've looked at thwn, xhhw, mhf and a few others. What would you use for the application?

Out of those wire types the best bang for the buck will probably be 2/0-2/0-2/0-1 MHF.

http://www.southwire.com/ProductCatalog/XTEInterfaceServlet?contentKey=prodcatsheet15

But that all depends on local and online supplier pricing.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Still NOT ENOUGH INFORMATION ! How far, box to box ?

Unofficially, you only need about 60A in that shop, unless you are planning on having party with 4-6 welding and grinding. For a 1 man operation that is fine.

As others have pointed out, you will need 4 wires run out there.

At 60A, depending on the distance, you probably only need 2-2-2-4 Al. You could run SER to a junction box where the cable exits the building and then run MHF. Make sure you have a big enough J-box and I would use something like a Polaris connector.

He gave the distance in #8. 220'

At 60a with #2 al the voltage deop will be above 3%.

 

[183beast]

Out of those wire types the best bang for the buck will probably be 2/0-2/0-2/0-1 MHF.

http://www.southwire.com/ProductCatalog/XTEInterfaceServlet?contentKey=prodcatsheet15

But that all depends on local and online supplier pricing.

I've looked for 2/0-2/0-2/0-1 locally and online and haven't been able to find it other than 500/1000ft spools.

I've seen 2/0-2/0-1-4 mhf by the foot from wireandcableyourway.com but I'm not sure what I think about using the smaller neutral? Im open for any/all input ideas or suggestions.

 

[sberry]

I will agree wylie is one of the best.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I've looked for 2/0-2/0-2/0-1 locally and online and haven't been able to find it other than 500/1000ft spools.

I've seen 2/0-2/0-1-4 mhf by the foot from wireandcableyourway.com but I'm not sure what I think about using the smaller neutral? Im open for any/all input ideas or suggestions.

it depends on how much 120v/neutral loads u will have vs. 240v loads.

The idea is to not overload the neutral.

Having said that you are only doing 100a feeder, and #1 al is good for 100a so u shouldnt have any issues.

 

[pattenp]

Make up your own cable using individual wires of aluminum XHHW-2. Making up 2/0-2/0-2/0-4 in XHHW-2 will be $1.84 a foot on Wire and Cable Your Way.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Make up your own cable using individual wires of aluminum XHHW-2. Making up 2/0-2/0-2/0-4 in XHHW-2 will be $1.84 a foot on Wire and Cable Your Way.

good catch.

2/0 MHF from same site is $1.95

though the savings is about $24

 

[pattenp]

No sense paying the extra for direct bury cable if it's being put in conduit.