running a 220 line?

Question

I want to run a 220 line to a dryer on the other end of my mobile home. I'll have the old line disconnected and the new line connected by an electrition. But running the wire I'll do myself need some pointers should I put it in conduit pipe and what size wire to put in. All the if's and's and but's about it so I have a handle on it

Answer 1

Running the wire is easy. And yes, you should use conduit to provide protection. If it's exposed to the outside of the trailer, then most electrical codes will call for steel. However, I have done it with schedule 80 (thick walled) pvc.

Wire size is dependent upon two things - the total current that the line will carry and how far the wires will have to go. 12 guage wire is good for 20 amps per phase and is most common for standard electrical outlets in your home. Since an electric dryer uses more than 20 amps per phase, I would recommend running 10 guage wire or bigger. And if you plan to use this line for additional appliances or outlets then it needs to be even bigger.

Be sure to support the conduit well so it won't get damaged, and make sure the couplings are properly sealed to keep water out.

And finally, you may run into a problem with an electrician. Sometimes they will tell you your wiring is not "legal" and they will refuse to connect the wires. Remember, they get paid to run wire as well as make the connections. So you might ask another electrician to quote wire plus installation, and if the price is too high, go to a different electrician with your original plan.

Answer 2

Hi Larry, you should run 10-3 NM with ground( 30 amp 2-pole breaker). You can run this under your trailer but it will need to be supported and secured every 3 feet or so, and within 12 inches of a box or panel. You should coordinate with the electrician you have doing your terminations to be sure that he approves whatever method you choose.
A four wire dryer outlet is required for new construction, so I would at least use the four wire even if you plan on using your three wire outlet. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Without knowing the length,

A circuit consisting of four #8 copper wires (in a single cable most likely) or a 4-wire circuit consisting of three # 8and one #6 for ground.

Conduit's always nice, even if it's the plastic type.
I doubt it's required, but check for local regulations.

You must install a 4 prong dryer outlet - even if your old one is 3 prong.

You might compromise and run the conduit and a strong string through it. Then have the electrician pull it.
That should be easily under 1/2 hour and he knows it's OK.

Answer 4

Depends on how long of a run the wire has to go. If it is under 20 feet a 10 gage wire would be heavy enough but if it was much longer than 20 feet you should go with #8 or #6 gage although #8 is sometime hard to find. You should put in conduit if the wire is exposed where it could be damaged by anything( rodents,abrasion or pulled on by someone).

Answer 5

We do not have sufficient information but here are things to check out or consider: 1. Do not tap into the 240 to run a 120 feed as this is in violation and dangerous. Contrary to one answerer's comment, 120 v is also lethal. 2. If the shop has a properly wired subpanel, and the feed line has sufficient capacity to add a 120 v breaker, I would add a 120 v breaker at the subpanel and feed the pond circuit from the subpanel. Remember that a subpanel has to have 4 feed lines, a red (120 v to ground), black (120 v to ground and 240 v to the red), a white (neutral) and a ground (green or bare copper); the subpanel must have a separate ground bus that is not common to the white neutral bus and at the main panel, the subpanel's white and green are connected to the common neutral & ground bus. Do not forget the ground fault criteria.

Answer 6

I would ask how much you really save doing this. In all reality, it should take an electrician very little time to do what you plan to do. You can still provide material if you have it but keep in mind that Electricians get much larger discounts than you are likely to get. Suppling the material yourself you might be lucky to save a $100 and if anything goes wrong, who is responsible. Personally, when it comes to Electrical, Gas or Propane I leave it to the Pros - then everything is on their shoulders and you won't have any problems with insurance companies.

Answer 7

run 10/3 romex u do not need any conduit. just support the wire. and make sure you get a 4 wire plug for your wll and a 4 wire cord for your dryer. there is nothing to it.

Answer 8

everyone's given you great answers, all i can tell you is check local codes where you live, Oh & good luck!