Wire Types and Basics

[RobertsMGB]

Looking for basic wiring type info and came upon a quick electrical guide. Answers a lot of questions but I'm still confused by the various wire types - especially for service panels. I'm running conduit and cable to a detached garage and looking at all sorts of terms SER, URD, etc. Is there a handy guide that deciphers the acronyms?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

SER cannot go underground, PERIOD.

URD cannot go inside the structure.

U need wire rated RHH/RHW.

Aluminum MHF/mobile home feeder is the best bang for your buck.

Cu THWN wire gets real expensive for larger sizes!

 

[ford33]

Consider Ugly's Electrical Reference available at Home Depot and other stores.

 

[theoldwizard1]

There are several decent DIY books available at HD/Lowes, but they may not answer your question about heavy gauge wire for service panels. What is even more confusing is some canle mya have multiple ratings (XHHN,THWN,THWN). And don'y bet on the folks at the Big Box store knowing what is correct. Below is a partial list (MH stands for Mobil Home, although it is now approved for residential applications as well.)

P.S. Wylie, as usual, is spot on. MHF is your "best bang for the buck" !

 

[ddawg16]

Welcome to GJ....stick around....tons of great guys here along with a lot of info.

The good news is, you're running conduit. Which is really the best way to do it.

So, all you need to worry about is what goes in that conduit.

THHN/THWN.

THHN is your standard and most common stranded wire. THWN is THHN wire rated for wet locations....like conduit under ground. Most of the THHN you buy now days is also rated THWN.

So, go to HD and buy the wire....3 colors....black, white and grn....or bare copper.

Your next decision is what size.

Tell us how far and how many amps you want to move and we can give you the size.

Also be cognizant of the fact you will need 2 ground wires at the garage....and you do NOT tie the neutral to earth ground in your sub panel.

Speaking of sub-panels....if more than 6 breakers, then you need a main disconnect breaker. Plan accordingly.

 

[pattenp]

If you want 120/240 to garage you need 4 conductors. 2 hots, 1 neutral, 1 ground.

Check out the product specs for different wire at Southwire's website.

http://www.southwire.com/products/ProductCatalog.htm



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[RobertsMGB]

Thanks guys. The multitude of wire types is just confusing to a DIYer! Here's what my electrical inspector recommends. I'm running about 75' indoors from my main panel so he recommends 4 wire aluminum SER to a junction box. The I go about 40' to my garage and he recommends connecting to 4 wire aluminum URD through conduit to the garage sub panel. I'll probably only go with 60 amps but this would allow me to up it to 100 if I ever need it.

But... still interested in a handy guide to wire types so it sounds like a basic wiring book is the next step.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Here's what my electrical inspector recommends. I'm running about 75' indoors from my main panel so he recommends 4 wire aluminum SER to a junction box. The I go about 40' to my garage and he recommends connecting to 4 wire aluminum URD through conduit to the garage sub panel. I'll probably only go with 60 amps but this would allow me to up it to 100 if I ever need it.

Always a good idea to check with the inspector FIRST !

You could also run MHF from the junction box to the garage sub panel. MHF must be in conduit inside of any building.


60A is plenty for any one man operation, even including A/C.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Thanks guys. The multitude of wire types is just confusing to a DIYer! Here's what my electrical inspector recommends. I'm running about 75' indoors from my main panel so he recommends 4 wire aluminum SER to a junction box. The I go about 40' to my garage and he recommends connecting to 4 wire aluminum URD through conduit to the garage sub panel. I'll probably only go with 60 amps but this would allow me to up it to 100 if I ever need it.

But... still interested in a handy guide to wire types so it sounds like a basic wiring book is the next step.

What size wire are we talking here?

If #2 AL, thats only good to 90a.

And URD cant go inside the structure.