View Full Version : Electrical
 
 ruben trevino
Dec 2, 2013, 07:25 PM
I have a question, electrician ran 3 -4/0 copper wire and 1 3/0 copper wire and 1 # 6 cu ground in a 2" pvc pipe in schedule 40, what happen to pipe/wire being to small was told it needed to be a 3" pipe. Let me know,, ruben
 stanfortyman
Dec 2, 2013, 08:14 PM
What would you like to know?
 
Where would you need three 4/0, one 3/0 and one #6? Doesn't make any sense.
 donf
Dec 3, 2013, 07:55 AM
Just telling us what the conductor size is doesn't help us.  We need the type of insulation on the wire to let you know.
 
For example for more than 2 conductors in a size 2 schedule 40 conduit you cannot go above 1.316 sq. inches.  Using your sizes and type "THWN-2" insulation, the fill would be 1.4997 sq. inches.  Meaning the conductor is to small for these cables.  A size 2.5 schedule 40 conductor should have been used.
 
If your electrician used a different type of cables, the sizes will be different!  The trade size 2 may be correct for the different type conductors.  So don't raise hell with the guy until you have the correct information.  The sizing information can be found in Chapter 9 of the NEC,  Use table 4 for the conduit measurements and table 5 to determine the conductor sizes based on the type and AWG of the conductors.