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Honduras Bob · Mar 11, 2007, 12:56 PM

I am in Honduras, where, the NEC does not apply, and what a mess we have without it..
I can put any size wire anywhere, and no one cares, except me. I am putting in a 150 Amp Service and the breaker panel will be about 50 Ft from the Meter.. I have not yet figured the size wire I need to the meter.. that I am trying to determine.. I have a water heater, elect dryer, elect stove, dishwasher, and several othewr prtable appliances, toaster, fry pan etc..

Whatever size I need, (would like to know) I will use, but my main concern is, from the meter to the power at the pole.. Here to hook that, all you do is call an electrician, (and that name is only for one brave enouogh to do the job, no qualifications) and most of the cable from the meter to the pole, is, not sure about this one, but about no 8 aluminum. And my main concern here it, I do the house correct, turn stuff on, and the wire from the meter to the pole disappears as melted aluminum.. Confusing I guess, but any input.(no Question mark on this spanish puter..

nmwirez · Mar 11, 2007, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by Honduras Bob

I am in Honduras, where, the NEC does not apply, and what a mess we have without it..
I can put any size wire anywhere, and no one cares, except me. I am putting in a 150 Amp Service and the breaker panel will be about 50 Ft from the Meter.. I have not yet figured the size wire I need to the meter..that I am trying to determine..I have a water heater, elect dryer, elect stove, dishwasher, and several othewr prtable appliances,, toaster, fry pan etc..

Whatever size I need, (would like to know) I will use, but my main concern is, from the meter to the power at the pole..Here to hook that,, all you do is call an electrician,,(and that name is only for one brave enouogh to do the job, no qualifications) and most of the cable from the meter to the pole, is,, not sure about this one, but about no 8 aluminum. And my main concern here it,, I do the house correct, turn stuff on, and the wire from the meter to the pole dissapears as melted aluminum..Confusing I guess, but any input.(no Question mark on this spanish puter..

Sounds like fun... If the overhead 'drop' (in utility terms) is only #8 aluminum then it is toast if you turn on all your household appliances at once. #8 aluminum in free air and 3 conductor is only good for 40 amps at the most. An 8kW cooking range is allowed #8 copper at the minimum NEC demand factor requirements. I believe you guys are on 120/240 single phase, is that correct? Nm

nmwirez · Mar 11, 2007, 01:21 PM

A 150 amp rated panel is good for a lot of branch circuit breakers that are best for containing the overall demand on the utility lines. 2/0 aluminum is good for the 150 amp between the meter and panelboard but who knows what the overhead can take from what you describe. Nm

Honduras Bob · Mar 11, 2007, 01:25 PM

Yes, 120 240 single phase.. In my rental house, I have told all to not use the dryer while cooking, and vice versa..
Guess I will be the only house in Honduras with $1000 worth of wire to run across the street, then if I turn on all, the utility company crap may melt.. so, can you suggest a reasonable, useable size to go actoss the street, then size to the Breaker panel, about 50 or less feet, and, absolutely no liability here.. so feel free to advize me.. and thanks for the answer, so quick, I needed to talk, even with a key board, to someone who knew what I was talking about Here, wire size, distance, conduit, etc.. means very little.. and to my absolute amazment, very few fires here.. thanks again.. B Slagle

Honduras Bob · Mar 11, 2007, 01:34 PM

Thanks again.. I am at an internet café, trying to save this info, and contacts, supposed to have this internet stuff at house Wed, and will get back.. sounds like the place I need for figuring this one out.. thanx, back later, I hope..

nmwirez · Mar 11, 2007, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by Honduras Bob

Yes, 120 240 single phase.. In my rental house,, I have told all to not use the dryer while cooking, and vice versa..
Guess I will be the only house in Honduras with $1000 worth of wire to run across the street,, then if I turn on all, the utility company crap may melt..so, can you suggest a reasonable, useable size to go actoss the street, 2/0 Aluminum all the way.then size to the Breaker panel,2/0 Aluminum about 50 or less feet,, and,, absolutely no liability here.. so feel free to advize me.. and thanx for the answer, so quick,, I needed to talk, even with a key board, to someone who knew what I was talking about Here, wire size, distance, conduit, etc..means very little.. and to my absolute amazment, very few fires here.. thanx again.. B Slagle

4/0 Al is used mostly for 200 amp services. 1/0 used for 125amp condos. If this helps. Nm:)

tkrussell · Mar 11, 2007, 03:08 PM

Using NEC Table 310.20 "Not more than 3 conductors on a messenger", you can use #1 aluminum 3 wire triplex cable, which is the type of aerial cable seen used from utility poles to homes.

Use this cable to go from meter pole to house.

Any wire that will be in conduit from the point of attachment of aerial cable to conduit, you can refer to Table 310.15(B)(6), and use #1 Aluminum XHHW in conduit for 150 amp feeder.

A link for the NEC 2005 edition can be found in the Sticky Note " Read First" in the electrical forum.

I have included it here:
NFPA 70: National Electrical Code®

Hope this helps.

Stratmando · May 18, 2007, 08:11 PM

Wouldn't use aluminum, even if I could? Copper-2/0- 200 Amp and Copper 1/0-150 Amp.
#4 and #6 for ground , respectively.
In 2" PVC conduit.
You could go one size smaller for the Neutral if you wanted to.
Ground Rod, Disconnect.

Honduras Bob · May 18, 2007, 08:16 PM

Thanks that's about close to what I now have, great help from you folks..