View Full Version : How many 500mcm wires for a 1000 amp service
mr480
Aug 12, 2010, 07:09 AM
I have a upgrade from 600amp to 1000amp service there are 2 3" conduits from breaker up to weather heads I am pretty sure I need 3 sets of 500mcm per phase can I change the 3"conduits to 4" and split up the phases in that short distance.
tkrussell
Aug 12, 2010, 08:17 AM
Your pretty sure?
All conductors of a system must be run together, either bundled or in a raceway.
So, all three phase and one neutral of each set must be together.
If you have more than one set in a raceway, you may need to derate.
Assuming 4- conductors for a three phase four wire system, 500 MCM copper wire with THHN/THWN insulation, I would have three 3 inch conduit risers.
stanfortyman
Aug 12, 2010, 12:48 PM
I have a upgrade from 600amp to 1000amp service there are 2 3" conduits from breaker up to weather heads I am pretty sure I need 3 sets of 500mcm per phase can I change the 3"conduits to 4" and split up the phases in that short distance.I agree with TK, you are "pretty sure"? This is something I would think you would want to be certain about BEFORE doing it.
There is a lot of money at stake if it is done wrong.
Who is doing this work? You or an electrician?
mr480
Aug 13, 2010, 07:48 AM
I agree with TK, you are "pretty sure"? This is something I would think you would want to be certain about BEFORE doing it.
There is a lot of money at stake if it is done wrong.
Who is doing this work? You or an electrician?
Pretty sure was a figure of speech just wanted to know about running
9 500mcm's in 2 4" conduits for a lenghth of 10' from breaker to weatherhead and no there is no nuetrals coming from the power company just 3 phase 480 off of the transformer. I have 3 3" running to the station.I really don't have room in enclosure to add another 3" to the top of the can so I thought about upsizing pipe at the pole only.Waiting on specs from breaker company I may need to change enclosure size so that will fix my problem.
tkrussell
Aug 13, 2010, 08:42 AM
Will each of the two 4" have 9 - #500 MCM?
For a 1000 amp you only need 3 sets of 3 - #500 MCM
Something does not make sense.
If I am reading you correctly, you have 3 - 3 inch conduits already.
Perhaps some photos of what you have will help you explain.
I still do not know what type of insulation the 500 MCM has or will have.
mr480
Aug 13, 2010, 08:46 AM
Will each of the two 4" have 9 - #500 MCM?
For a 1000 amp you only need 3 sets of 3 - #500 MCM
Something does not make sense.
If I am reading you correctly, you have 3 - 3 inch conduits already.
Perhaps some photos of what you have will help you explain.
I still do not know what type of insulation the 500 MCM has or will have.
Thhn insulation existing is 2 3" want to change out to 2 4" because of the room put 9 total 500's in 2 4" conduits.
tkrussell
Aug 13, 2010, 08:54 AM
How do you plan to split 9 - 500 MCM , which I believe is your 3 sets of three?
Keep in mind, all three legs of each set must be run together.
4 inch GRC or PVC Sch 40 can only hold 7 - #500 MCM THHN/THWN.
Be sure your "thhn" is dual rated as THHN/THWN.
Also keep in mind, that one you have more than 3 current carrying conductors in a raceway, you need to derate.
If you use 3 - 3 in rises each for 3 - #500 MCM you do not need to derate.
mr480
Aug 13, 2010, 09:04 AM
We must be on a different page I know I need 3 of each phase for a 1000amp I know I cannot fit 9 wires in 2 3" conduits you can only put 4 each which leaves 1 left over therfore i will need to add a conduit but do to space I would like to replace existing 3" conduits with 4" and put 5 in one of them and 4 in the other what Ive been asking is will it hurt anything
tkrussell
Aug 13, 2010, 09:09 AM
In my first post, I addressed this question
All conductors of a system must be run together, either bundled or in a raceway.
So, all three phase and one neutral of each set must be together.
You cannot split up the phases.
You cannot run 5 in one and 4 in the other.
You may run 6 in one conduit and 3 in the other
Conduit.
And, then, if you do run 6 in one conduit, it is more than three current carrying conductors, you must derate the 6 conductors that would be together.
mr480
Aug 13, 2010, 09:12 AM
In my first post, I addressed this question
You cannot split up the phases.
You cannot run 5 in one and 4 in the other.
You may run 6 in one conduit and 3 in the other
conduit.
And, then, if you do run 6 in one conduit, it is more than three current carrying conductors, you must derate the 6 conductors that would be together.
Thanks that is what I was not sure of
tkrussell
Aug 13, 2010, 09:13 AM
OK, now that I got my point across, can you tell me why phase conductors can not be split up?
Also, what is your background?
mr480
Aug 13, 2010, 09:16 AM
OK, now that I got my point across, can you tell me why phase conductors can not be split up?
Also, what is your background?
Painter
tkrussell
Aug 13, 2010, 12:32 PM
So I will guess that you do not know why the phase conductors cannot be split.
mr480
Aug 13, 2010, 03:29 PM
So I will guess that you do not know why the phase conductors cannot be split.
No I don't