#6 or #4 for generator


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Old 03-30-06, 05:49 PM
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#6 or #4 for generator

Your advice please. 15kw generator, 65 amp breaker on generator going into a 100 amp transfer switch with three #6 wires. Wiring from the manufacturer is #6 and includes a 4 foot run that goes into on outside box and a 30 foot run of #6 that goes from that outside box to the transfer switch. I need to run about 130' of wire to reach the transfer switch from the generator. Using a wire calculator I still come up with #6 wire, but would like your advice if #4 would be more appropriate? I don't want to rewire the #6 4 foot pigtail that comes from the generator if I don't have to. Also can I use #6 for the 4 foot run and then #4 for the 130 foot run?

Thanks
 
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Old 03-30-06, 06:16 PM
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> can I use #6 for the 4-foot run and then #4 for the 130-foot run?
Yes.
Given the distance, I think this is a good idea.
 
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Old 03-31-06, 06:24 AM
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There wouldn't be any issues going from #6 wire to #4 for the longer run?
 
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Old 03-31-06, 06:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Flyinglow
There wouldn't be any issues going from #6 wire to #4 for the longer run?
Voltage drop over distance is a key issue. The voltage drop would be very small over the four feet of the pigtail therefore almost the full voltage would be present at the oigtail connection. Of course if any protective devices are used they must be sized to the smallest wire (#6 in this case).

I'll let the experts wade in but I'd also replace the 30 foot run up to the pigtail with #4 to minimize voltage drop.
 

Last edited by ray2047; 03-31-06 at 07:05 AM.
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Old 03-31-06, 08:40 AM
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That would probally make the most sense, I want to avoid having to take apart the generator housing and rewiring the pigtail if there is not any benefit or in this case detriment to leaving it as it is.
 
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Old 03-31-06, 01:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Flyinglow
There wouldn't be any issues going from #6 wire to #4?
No problem provided that the connections are solid.
 
 

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