Yet again... Subpanel wire option.

[lowe.joshua51]

I know this question comes up all the time but could someone check this link and make sure this is the right stuff for running a sub panel about 30 feet away from the main. The subpanel is a 100 amp regular panel, I'll isolate the neutral and install a separate ground bus bar, two ground rods 6ft apart. I'll have a 90 amp breaker on the main panel.

This is my local supply shop, they said it's direct bury rated but that I could also put it in conduit, is that true? If so which is preferred and if it's conduit what size should I run?

https://www.lockesupply.com/Product...ed%2C+URD+Aluminum+Wire%2C+1000%E2%80%99+Reel

 

[exranger06]

Yes, you can direct bury or put it in conduit. It needs to be in conduit anywhere above ground or in the building, but once it's in the ground, it can be direct buried. Or you can run conduit the entire way underground; it's entirely up to you. If you direct bury, it has to be at least 24" deep. Conduit only has to be 18" deep. Conduit makes it easier to replace the wire at a later date if you ever had to, and gives it some more protection. 2" conduit will be plenty big enough.

 

[b-boy]

I'd go with conduit. You have to dig a trench anyway.

My old barn had direct buried wire. One day the breaker started tripping and the entire circuit just stopped working.

My only recourse is to run a whole new line. If I had conduit, the process would be a lot simpler.

 

[pattenp]

Verify that if you use URD that it does have triple rating, USE-2/RHH/RHW-2. Some URD by other manufactures only have the USE-2 rating and because of having only the one rating it is not approved for use inside of a structure.

 

[lowe.joshua51]

Verify that if you use URD that it does have triple rating, USE-2/RHH/RHW-2. Some URD by other manufactures only have the USE-2 rating and because of having only the one rating it is not approved for use inside of a structure.

Thank you for clarifying that, this stuff at Locke is in fact USE-2/RHH/RHW-2. So if I understand correctly when it has all three ratings I can run it indoors so long as it's in conduit to the panel?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Correct

 

[pattenp]

Thank you for clarifying that, this stuff at Locke is in fact USE-2/RHH/RHW-2. So if I understand correctly when it has all three ratings I can run it indoors so long as it's in conduit to the panel?

URD with the 3 ratings is not common so don't go by word of mouth or ad information. See the wire with your own eyes that the wire is marked with the 3 ratings. I know of people who have been unpleasantly surprised to get URD wire that they were told was okay to run inside to find out it wasn't and only rated USE-2.

Edit: I looked at the Encore site and it does agree with what's on the electrical supply site. I've seen descriptions get crossed between MHF and URD.