Ask Me Help Desk

Ask Me Help Desk (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forum.php)
-   Electrical & Lighting (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=105)
-   -   What gauge wire? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=621695)

  • Dec 22, 2011, 05:22 PM
    Freedomeagle
    What gauge wire?
    I am running a 60A sub panel from my 200A service entrance about 200ft to my new shed. From my shed, I am running 15A 220v about 100 feet to feed a pond aerator. What gauge should I use for the 60a subpanel and what wire to the pond aerator.
  • Dec 22, 2011, 08:11 PM
    donf
    If you use Aluminum conductors, then you would need 3, #1 AWG conductors and a #8 ground from the main panelboard to the secondary panelboard (based on Type UF insulation and 60(C) connections. If you use Copper then you would need 3 #3 AWG conductors and a #8 Equipment Ground.

    From the secondary panelboard, to the pond aerator again using Aluminium and the same type cable as above, you would need 4, #10 AWG conductors.

    If you were to go with Copper, then you would need 4 #12 AWG conductors.

    If either the aerator or the secondary panelboard would be continuous use circuits, then these cables sizes may change.
  • Dec 22, 2011, 08:30 PM
    Freedomeagle
    Thanks. Appreciate the info.

    For the 10 AWG, wouldn;'t it actually be a 10/2 with ground? It will be on a 15AMP circuit breaker and a GFCI plug at the pond. Didn't know a GFCI had room for four conductors?
  • Dec 23, 2011, 03:49 AM
    tkrussell
    Only need #10-2 plus ground to the GFI receptacle. If you use UF cable it will need to be 18 inch deep. If you use a GFI breaker to protect the entire circuit it can be 12 inch deep.

    I do not know how Don came up with #1 AL for the feeder to the shed. For a fully loaded 60 amp panel you can use #2 4 wire aluminum URD direct burial cable.
  • Dec 29, 2011, 09:26 PM
    Missouri Bound
    "you can use #2 4 wire aluminum URD"... Not at 200 feet you can't. Don is correct. The exception would be a service feeder, but it's not a service feeder. #3 copper or # 1 alum is required.
  • Dec 30, 2011, 03:56 AM
    tkrussell
    Service feeder is not the key, Miss. Don is using incorrect values to to Vd calcs. That's how I arrived at #2, and he #1.

  • All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:28 AM.