Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    occranch's Avatar
    occranch Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Aug 3, 2010, 09:20 AM
    Electrical wire size
    I am going to run power to a cattle barn for lights. The distance is 600 ft. Planning on using direct burial cable put in conduit. Need to know what size of wire and conduit to use. Have a 200 amp service at my house to feed off. Was planning on using a 100 amp breaker to feed the wire and using 50 or 60 amp main at the cattle barn. The load should be about 40 amps with all lights and acc on.
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
    		  
    #2

    Aug 3, 2010, 09:26 AM
    A 40 Amp load at 120 Volts running 600 feet will need a #4/0 copper wire to keep voltage drop less than 3%.

    You may need to consider using 240 volt lighting, and/or using transformers to step up the voltage for the 600 foot run, then step down at the barn.

    Assuming the 40 amp load would be half the amount if 240 volts is used, then only a #4 copper wire would be needed.
    occranch's Avatar
    occranch Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Aug 3, 2010, 09:39 AM

    How about the alum, direct burial
    tkrussell's Avatar
    tkrussell Posts: 9,659, Reputation: 725
    Uber Member
    		  
    #4

    Aug 3, 2010, 11:14 AM
    Will you be surprised that with the same circuit specs the wire would be larger?

    400 MCM aluminum for 600 foot fedder for a 40 amp 120 volt load.

    120 volt does not agree with long distances.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Wire size & conduit size for 60 am subpanel 150 from source [ 9 Answers ]

Indiana question: I want to install a 60amp subpanel 150 feet from the main panel. This is all exposed runs both inside and out in a commercial envirenement. What gauge and type of copper wire and what size conduit whould I use. How often should insert a junction box in the run. John

What size wire do I need to run to get a 100amps. 225ft. using direct burial wire? [ 5 Answers ]

What size wire do I need to run to get a 100amps. 225ft. using direct burial wire coming from a 200amp. Service? Any info. Would be appreciated. Regards, Garry

What does the b stand for in electrical wire nm-b? [ 2 Answers ]

Relative to the electrical wire rating of nm-b, I understand the nm stands for non metallic but what does the b designate?

Sub Panel AMP Size and Supply Wire Size [ 1 Answers ]

I would like to install a sub panel in my garage I was told to run 6/3 Romex to supply the sub panel and have done so. The run is about 65 feet and I am now wondering after reading this site what is the max I can get for this size wire? I plan to supply a compressor (20 amp) and the garden...

View more questions Search