Running wire
#1
09-05-01, 12:16 PM
Running Wire
I have 200 amp service to the main box at the house. Within the main box I have a 60 amp breaker for my barn. The barn is being built 150 feet away from the house. What guage wire do I run from the main box to the barn box so that I get the most of the 60 amps at the barn? That is with as little amp drop as possible.
The barn will have it's own elect. box with a 110v service for lights, bench and power tools, etc. and a 220v service for the compressor,and arc welder.
The barn will have it's own elect. box with a 110v service for lights, bench and power tools, etc. and a 220v service for the compressor,and arc welder.
#2
09-05-01, 12:56 PM
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There's a lot of questions there. Let me ask them in a different order.
Q: What gauge wire do I need for safety purposes?
A: This depends on the type of wire, and whether it is run in conduit, cable or free air. It's going to be either 6-gauge or 4-gauge copper wire.
Q: What gauge wire do I need to provide "as little amp drop as possible"?
A: All sizes of wire will produce absolutely no amp drop at all!! So you can use 24-gauge doorbell wire to achieve this goal, although it will melt quickly at 60 amps.
Q: What gauge of wire do I need to provide "as little voltage drop as possible"?
A: You'd need a wire larger than the size of a telephone pole! Actually, you need some kind of superconductor, or a way to cool the wire to absolute zero.
Q: What gauge of wire do I need to provide a "reasonable voltage drop"?
A: Over 150 feet and at 240 volts, 60 amps through 4-gauge copper wire will reduce the voltage 2% (i.e., 5 volts). This is usually considered reasonable.
Q: And the real question ... what gauge wire should I use?
A: 4-gauge copper.
Q: What gauge wire do I need for safety purposes?
A: This depends on the type of wire, and whether it is run in conduit, cable or free air. It's going to be either 6-gauge or 4-gauge copper wire.
Q: What gauge wire do I need to provide "as little amp drop as possible"?
A: All sizes of wire will produce absolutely no amp drop at all!! So you can use 24-gauge doorbell wire to achieve this goal, although it will melt quickly at 60 amps.
Q: What gauge of wire do I need to provide "as little voltage drop as possible"?
A: You'd need a wire larger than the size of a telephone pole! Actually, you need some kind of superconductor, or a way to cool the wire to absolute zero.
Q: What gauge of wire do I need to provide a "reasonable voltage drop"?
A: Over 150 feet and at 240 volts, 60 amps through 4-gauge copper wire will reduce the voltage 2% (i.e., 5 volts). This is usually considered reasonable.
Q: And the real question ... what gauge wire should I use?
A: 4-gauge copper.
#3
09-10-01, 12:36 PM
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Location: Maryland
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Re: Running Wire
Originally posted by Tagglegal
I have 200 amp service to the main box at the house. Within the main box I have a 60 amp breaker for my barn. The barn is being built 150 feet away from the house. What gauge wire do I run from the main box to the barn box so that I get the most of the 60 amps at the barn? That is with as little amp drop as possible.
The barn will have it's own elect. box with a 110v service for lights, bench and power tools, etc. and a 220v service for the compressor, and arc welder.
I have 200 amp service to the main box at the house. Within the main box I have a 60 amp breaker for my barn. The barn is being built 150 feet away from the house. What gauge wire do I run from the main box to the barn box so that I get the most of the 60 amps at the barn? That is with as little amp drop as possible.
The barn will have it's own elect. box with a 110v service for lights, bench and power tools, etc. and a 220v service for the compressor, and arc welder.
--
Tom
