What gauge wire should I use, do I need to run 440, or can I run 220? I am concerned about voltage drop. Suggestions?
2006-06-25 12:43:48 · 11 answers · asked by JM 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Power is already installed on the property, already have circuit breakers, want to run from the main to another spot on the property at lowest cost.
2006-06-25 12:51:08 · update #1
Actually, it is pretty expensive to have the power company run the line - it's $3/ foot for about 2500 ft = $7500. That's why I'd like to try to do it myself!
Plus we potentially have multiple locations -barn, plus power for front gate (about 800 feet the other direction), power for electrified fences, water pumps. A few thousand here and there and you're talking real money.
2006-06-25 13:08:47 · update #2
2640' of #12 awg on 20 aqmp drops about 85 volts
480 volt 20 amp needs1/0
240 volt 20 amp needs 4/0
2006-06-25 13:15:58 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
ONLY $3 per foot? Go with them! I'll avoid the actual math but think on this. Price the wire guage you need (I'll use the other persons research 4/0 for example). I believe it is over $2 a foot for standard and well over $6 fer foot for direct burial cable. The standard will require PVC pipe ran the distance and will also need at least 3 conductors(line, neutral, and ground) that is a mile and a half of wire to buy. Now how much is it to dig the trench? $18 per foot is cheap. A back hoe is $700 per day and this length i will guess take a min of 3 days. 2 days to run the pipe, and another 2 days to backfill. Or just 5 days for DB cable. Now who is goin to run the back hoe? Some guy $200 per day. If you were to pipe it then once the pipe is in then you need to pull the wire, buy a rope that will hold a min of 4 tons. Etc etc etc..... The list is longer but you get the point. Hire it out. Install a subpanel at the furthest point and you can do the work from there for future expansions.
2006-06-25 13:53:53 · answer #2 · answered by NubbY 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best thing to do is call an electrician. However, Yes voltage drop is a concern. 240 would require a larger wire size, but 480 would most likely require a transformer on the load end of the run. personally, I would run the 480 using a slightly larger wire size to allow for greater ampacity. this would allow for future expansion. As for wire size, get a copy of the 2005 National electrical codebook. It is quite difficult to understand, but it is well worth the effort. It contains tables for wire size, proper installation, and methods for installation. By the way, number 12 wire will NOT by any means handle 100 amps!!!! Please feel free to email me. Most answers above are wrong.
2006-06-25 12:52:26 · answer #3 · answered by cyberiiansgirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A half mile of 220 volt run through 12 gauge should still sustain 100 amp service.
2006-06-25 12:46:40 · answer #4 · answered by Stuart 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you will have a voltage drop, depending on the lenght of the line and the section of the wire. you better run higher voltage and transform it, if you can. I dont have the formulas at the moment, but you can easly find it in internet. Good luck.
2006-06-25 12:46:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look toward the future. Go for 440
2006-06-25 12:46:58 · answer #6 · answered by Nicktu 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call the power company, They have to install it. At little or no charge.
2006-06-25 12:45:38 · answer #7 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask the power company.
2006-06-25 12:45:34 · answer #8 · answered by mrsdebra1966 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
220 and a half mile of cable. Don't tell anyone what you are doing! ; )
2006-06-25 12:46:43 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
use a drop cord
2006-06-25 12:46:31 · answer #10 · answered by amo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋