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Dave Maxwell
Well-known member
Wondered about that. Saw it on Menards site
wire size
- Thread starter Dave Maxwell
- Start date
IONH
Well-known member
Wow, 500ft package. Where would someone get a bundle like that in shorter lengths? What would the home/garage interior "in wall" alternate be for the 2/0-2/0-2/0-1 be since the wire you linked I believe is for outside use?
OP
Dave Maxwell
Well-known member
I assume since it says 2 2 2 4 it has 3 main leads and one ground. Why is it only $1 something per foot and single 2 copper is 3 per foot
IONH
Well-known member
What pattenp linked was aluminum, not copper.
pattenp
Well-known member
MHF can be run inside to a panel if in conduit. Supply houses and big box stores will sell it by the foot. The alternate would be to switch to SER cable inside which can be run without having to use conduit.
This is SE cable...
http://www.southwire.com/ProductCatalog/XTEInterfaceServlet?contentKey=prodcatsheet273
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This is SE cable...
http://www.southwire.com/ProductCatalog/XTEInterfaceServlet?contentKey=prodcatsheet273
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IONH
Well-known member
What gauge SER cable would be the equivalent sizing to the 2/2/2/1 cable?
Which would you recommend? Not to hijack, but my span is probably only 20 feet exterior to a building and another 80 or so interior (total within both buildings from panel to panel).
pattenp
Well-known member
The sizes are the same between the two cables. Are you wanting #2 or #2/0? What's the amp rating you need? The reason I ask is 2-2-2 comes with a #4 ground not #1. 2/0-2/0-2/0 comes with #1 ground.
IONH
Well-known member
I don't want to hijack the thread, I'll PM you pattenp.
OP
Dave Maxwell
Well-known member
100 amp. I knew the other was aluminum but didn't realize so much different in price
pattenp
Well-known member
The big advantage of aluminum is the price. Copper has gotten so expensive.
OP
Dave Maxwell
Well-known member
Aluminum still good or outdated
pattenp
Well-known member
I would only use aluminum for large and long feeds. The aluminum alloy in wire has been improved greatly over the aluminum in wire from years ago. Aluminum wire is certainly not outdated.
Wastedwagesracing
Banned
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Dave contact Sam at '[email protected]' I just bought 250' of aluminum 4/0 4/0 2/0 with a #6 ground free shipping. Cheaper than I could touch it locally for.
MrMark
Well-known member
This thread here seems to state that the enclosure is the bottleneck and that when you mount these dual marked 60/75 breakers together that you must default to the 60 degree rating
http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=81811
This is consistent with what PHR posted here.
I believe you would need #2 copper, not 3 as has been posted.
http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/...n=versionless&parent_id=1073985569&sequence=1
Suprising that no one other than PHR has ever mentioned this.
http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=81811
This is consistent with what PHR posted here.
I believe you would need #2 copper, not 3 as has been posted.
http://database.ul.com/cgi-bin/XYV/...n=versionless&parent_id=1073985569&sequence=1
Suprising that no one other than PHR has ever mentioned this.
OP
Dave Maxwell
Well-known member
I'm sorry, but your question is not real clear. Does 2 2 2 4 mean 2/0, 2/0, 2/0 & #4 ground? Does it mean #2, #2, #2, #4 awg wire size? Without knowing what your load is on your existing panel and the size of your existing panel and what size your existing service wires are, it is not possible for me to answer your question. You will need to have your electrician come to your house, calculate your existing loads and check against your existing service feeders to determine if your wire size is of sufficient size to handle the added loads that will be applied to your old panel from the new storage shed loads. Your electrician will need to calculate the loads your anticipating from the storage shed also.
I'm sorry this is the best I can do fo
That is the response I got about the mobile home feed from county on legality. How do I calculate that stuff.
I'm sorry this is the best I can do fo
That is the response I got about the mobile home feed from county on legality. How do I calculate that stuff.
pattenp
Well-known member
I don't know about the UL rating of only being 60 degrees, but my Cutler Hammer panels have listed on the sticker 60/75.
pattenp
Well-known member
Too much to explain here. You'll need to do a search on the web for "How to calculate electrical loads", and do a lot of reading.
MrMark
Well-known member
I'll have to look at mine too but for most people who are going to have at least one older panel they are looking at 60 degrees.
Aceman
Well-known member
Pattenp, straight from UL, taken from here:
http://www.ul.com/global/documents/...l/newsletters/MoldedCaseCircuitBreakersMG.pdf
20. 60/75°C Wire — All circuit breakers rated 125 A or less are marked for use with 60° C,
60/75°C or 75°C only wire. This marking indicates the proper wire size for termination in
accordance with Table 310.15(B)(16) of the NEC . It is acceptable to use wire with a higher
insulation rating if the ampacity is based on the wire temperature rating marked on the breaker. For
breakers rated more than 125 A, the proper wire temperature rating is 75°C and it is optional for the
breaker to bear this marking.
OP
Dave Maxwell
Well-known member
Was told by local electrician that aluminum shouldn't be used underground. Copper is going to cost me close to 5,000 just in wire
johno
Well-known member
One thing you need to do with aluminum is coat the wire ends/connections with an antioxidant, whatever size you end up with.
pattenp
Well-known member
Bunk..., just plain bunk. I recommend to run the aluminum in conduit, but it's not necessary if installed direct bury and the trench is clear of stone. The poco uses direct bury aluminum all the time to service structures.
OP
Dave Maxwell
Well-known member
Said there was a heat issue. What size of aluminum is same as 1/0 copper. Or do they carry the same loads
OP
Dave Maxwell
Well-known member
What amp is the 4/0 4/0 2/0 aluminum good for at 200 foot run
pattenp
Well-known member
#2/0 aluminum is good for 100A for the 200' run. #4/0 aluminum is about 150A for the 200' run.
I used this calculator, using 240V at 3% drop direct bury... http://www.southwire.com/support/voltage-drop-calculator.htm
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I used this calculator, using 240V at 3% drop direct bury... http://www.southwire.com/support/voltage-drop-calculator.htm
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pattenp
Well-known member
There is no heat issue with aluminum if sized properly. 1/0 copper and 3/0 aluminum are about the same amp cap. At 60C 125A for Cu vs 130A for Al
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Speedy Petey
Well-known member
If it is for the main service to the house then 200A.
Typically the secondary side of the service (120/240v) can be run approximately 250' before you need to worry about upsizing. This is usually the POCO's call.
pattenp
Well-known member
Dave, You need to clarify your inquiry about the wire sizes. Is the feed to your shop going to be a new service coming off a meter, or are you planning to feed your shop as an auxiliary building off your existing main panel? This makes a difference in the number of conductors and size to the allowable amps.
OP
Dave Maxwell
Well-known member
If I can by code I would.like to come straight off the meter base. That would be 200 amp. If I have to go off a breaker in main house panel then it will be 100 amp
Speedy Petey
Well-known member
If it is a typical residential meter pan or even a meter/main then you CANNOT come right off of it. You need to come from a panel.
OP
Dave Maxwell
Well-known member
Wondered about that. My power company said it was OK, but not sure if I have the right basr
OP
Dave Maxwell
Well-known member
If I have a 200. Amp service at house, can I put a 200 amp feed off it. Or do they make a breaker that size
pattenp
Well-known member
You can't get an additional 200a feed off of a 200a service. You need to have the service increased to 400a and install a 400a meter socket.
Edit: 400a service technically can use a 320A meter socket even though I said 400A.
Edit: 400a service technically can use a 320A meter socket even though I said 400A.
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fastjohnny
Well-known member
OP
Dave Maxwell
Well-known member
Finally at the point. Hope I can fit the wire in a 100 amp breaker in my feeder panel. Looks small. The main breaker on the shop box should be fine.