What gauge wiring is needed?

[MANTOOL]

My inlaws built a house and a detached garage in 1988. I have a problem in that the underground wiring from the house to the garage was severed by a landscaping company. The wires, from the house to the garage, are aluminum. All the receptacles in the garage, from the breaker box to the receptacles (per codes) are copper and are typical 115 volt and (1) 220 volt receptacle for the welder. The distance from the house to the garage is (roughly) 70 feet. I've said all that to ask this....What gauge (copper) wire(s) do I need to replace the aluminum wires with? TIA

 

[david594]

What is the amperage of the circuit running to the garage?

 

[Bert_]

Why would you replace the wire? Just splice it and continue as normal

 

[MANTOOL]

What is the amperage of the circuit running to the garage?

60 amps...why?

 

[MANTOOL]

Why would you replace the wire? Just splice it and continue as normal

I am not an electrician but I thought aluminum wire and copper wire don't play well together but if I can splice these different types of wire without a fire risk then okay.

 

[sparky 1971]

60 amps...why?

Because that is what determines the wire size. 220 and 115 don't mean anything.

 

[mike93lx]

I am not an electrician but I thought aluminum wire and copper wire don't play well together but if I can splice these different types of wire without a fire risk then okay.

Polaris connectors. Non issue

 

[mm08822]

Call an electrician and let him fix it. Send bill to landscaper.
Underground splice kits are available. Most likely you need 8 and misc conductors to bridge the break and cut past the damage..

Bigger concern for you may be matching hot-hot (2x), neutral - neutral and grd - grd. Depends on your skill level.

Some pics of the damage would be helpful. Close up pics of the conductors to....is there any conductor printing to take pic of?

This type of repair kit is best to do it only once.....epoxy encapsulated.

If the feeders are aluminum, replace with aluminum. Make sure splice blocks are rated for aluminum or Cu-Al.

Edit:added pic and splice block comment.

 

[sparky 1971]

I am not an electrician but I thought aluminum wire and copper wire don't play well together but if I can splice these different types of wire without a fire risk then okay.

Where do aluminum and copper meet? If the aluminum feeds a panel, it's a non issue. I really doubt aluminum and copper are spliced together anywhere and that is what the concern would be.

 

[Bert_]

I am not an electrician but I thought aluminum wire and copper wire don't play well together but if I can splice these different types of wire without a fire risk then okay.

If the feeder is aluminum then you need to splice in a short piece of aluminum of the same size.

 

[Bert_]

Polaris connectors. Non issue

You cannot use a Polaris connector underground. A barrel crimp and adhesive heat shrink is best. I've heard of people using a set screw type barrel splice since most people won't have a crimper

 

[sparky 1971]

Call an electrician and let him fix it. Send bill to landscaper.
Underground splice kits are available. Most likely you need 8 and misc conductors to bridge the break and cut past the damage..

Bigger concern for you may be matching hot-hot (2x), neutral - neutral and grd - grd. Depends on your skill level.

Some pics of the damage would be helpful. Close up pics of the conductors to....is there any conductor printing to take pic of?

This type of repair kit is best to do it only once.....epoxy encapsulated.

If the feeders are aluminum, replace with aluminum. Make sure splice blocks are rated for aluminum or Cu-Al.

Edit:added pic and splice block comment.

WTF is that? I've always used crimp sleeves and good Raychem adhesive shrink tube.

 

[mm08822]

WTF is that? I've always used crimp sleeves and good Raychem adhesive shrink tube.

I couldn't find a pic of a 3m kit!
How about this one.....

 

[sparky 1971]

QUOTE="mm08822, post: 10296590, member: 109903"]
I couldn't find a pic of a 3m kit!
How about this one.....
[/QUOTE]



What does that do that crimps and shrink tube don't? Other than probably cost a whole lot more.

 

[mm08822]

I would think it keeps water off of the conductor/splice mtl longer. Assuming you knead the casing well enough as you fill it.
This is what was thrown at me 40 years ago in the trench. I have no experience with adhesive coated shrink tube below ground otherwise.

 

[mm08822]

It will cost more...it's 3m.

 

[rwreuter]

This thread is giving me a headache

 

[MANTOOL]

Thanks guys.