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paintr56 · Sep 3, 2011, 10:07 PM

Can I use sweet brier for 3 phase 200amp service run from the pole to the meter?

Jim

tkrussell · Sep 4, 2011, 03:51 AM

Sweet Briar is only 3 wire. If your 3 phase service is delta, then yes.

If your service is 4 wire WYE, then no.

http://www.generalcable.com/NR/rdonl...Y0015R0410.pdf

paintr56 · Sep 4, 2011, 04:53 AM

Is there an easy way to tell if I have delta or WYE? Also I should add that this is being done because two of the wires that are currently running under ground to the meter are dead. My guess would be a lightning strike. (I am a painter, not an electrician) If I need a fourth wire can I use one of the existing wires that are not dead?

Jim

tkrussell · Sep 4, 2011, 06:23 AM

The feeder from pole to meter should be the responsibility of the utility.

Since the feeder is existing, how many wires are there?

If two of the existing wires are defective, I would not want to rely on any existing that are still in operation.

Why is a painter dealing with this and not an electrician and/or the utility?

stanfortyman · Sep 4, 2011, 06:37 AM

Originally Posted by paintr56

can i use sweet brier for 3 phase 200amp service run from the pole to the meter?

Originally Posted by tkrussell

why is a painter dealing with this and not an electrician and/or the utility?

+1!

paintr56 · Sep 5, 2011, 07:39 AM

I am dealing with it not as a painter, but as the property owner. The power company came out and said it was existing farm wire and not their responsibility even though it is hooked to their pole. I was as surprised as any of you. I got bids from electricians in the neighborhood of $2300. I am not judging that price I am sure you all earn your money. This wire goes to a set of bins that I own and rent out. I know what they rent for and as a business decision it is not worth $2300 to have the work done. I can have the trench dug for $300, if the sweet brier will work the wire will run me $560. My son in law is a plant electrician and will make the connections. I was just looking for a second opinion on the wire.

Jim

stanfortyman · Sep 5, 2011, 08:23 AM

I had to look up sweet briar. That is a new term to me. We just call it URD.

I'm sorry, I feel very strongly that work like this is not DIY work. If you cannot afford repairs and upgrades to a business you are running then maybe it is not a business worth being in. It's called overhead.
Sorry to be harsh, but if you are that out of your element then why risk doing it wrong or hurting yourself or others?
If your son is an electrician then why can't he do it with your help?

I said my peace and will now bow out of this conversation.

paintr56 · Sep 5, 2011, 10:18 PM

Thank you for your concern stanfortyman. I have no intention of making any of the connections only running the wire under ground from the pole to the meter. Bin rental is not my business. They are on my property and I have no use for them so I pick up a little money by renting them out.

Jim

tkrussell · Sep 6, 2011, 05:55 AM

So, your back to determining if you need 3 wire or 4 wire cable.

URD stands for Underground Residential Distribution, a generic term for direct buried cable, typically a cable for single phase residential services, 3 wire used by utility to feed a service meter, and 4 wire by the customer to go from a meter and disconnect to a home.

If you need 4 wire, as I suspect you need as I suspect you have a 120/208 volt 3 phase 4 wire service, you need for a 200 amp #4/0 cable called Wake Forest, see the link I posted earlier.

You really should have an electrician confirm what is needed before any cable is purchased.