ComTech 4
Premium
join:2002-11-28
USA
1 edit | Electical Sub panel
I have a detached garage with a one inch conduit runing in between. The whole garge is running off one 15 amp circuit in my basement. So when it flips i have to go inside and flip it back on. I want the breaker in the garage. I decided to put in a sub panel. It would only be 50 amps. I am going to run 6 awg to the sub pannel. I want to do pretty much what is diplayed here »www.hammerzone.com/archives/elec···view.htm
Can i fit 3 6 awg thhn wires plus a ground in the conduit?
Can I use the conduit as the ground?
If I use thhn what size ground wire should i use?
Would it be better/easyer if I run 6/3g romex in the pipe?
Is it 50 amps total between the 2 feeds or 50 amps per feed? |
|
dgilbert
Good Bye My Friend
Premium,MVM
join:2002-06-15
none
clubs:
| 1" will handle 4 #6 or 3 #6 an 1 #8 for ground. you may or may not need additional ground rods, i'll leave that to others.
i dunno about using the conduit for ground, so i will leave that to others.
you can't use "romex, it would have to be UF just like if you use individual wires they must be THWN. the conduit will be considered a wet location so the conductors must be wet rated.
50A at 240V.
BTW, how long of a run will it be? if under 100' #6 is ok for 50A, but over you need to go up to #4 for the conductors and at least #6 for ground. the ground cna be 1 size smaller than the conductors.
--
Lack of Preparation on YOUR Part does NOT Constitute an Emergency on Mine! |
|
Msradell
join:2008-12-25
Louisville, KY | Filling in a couple of the blanks.
That handle it cannot be used as the ground!
A ground rod is not required at the garage end but also is not prohibited. |
|
nunya
SEE ROCK CITY 475 MILES
Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO
clubs:
 ·AT&T CallVantage
| reply to ComTech 4
If the conduit is EMT, RMC, or IMC from end to end, and certain fittings are used, you can use it as the equipment ground. However, it's probably cheaper and easier to pull a ground.
#8 copper is your ground wire size.
I highly suggest not trying to jam 6/3 romex down the pipe. It's going to be pretty tight with THHN. |
|
gregz
join:2009-10-01 | reply to ComTech 4
The following is what you need to know about hooking up the sub »www.dropshots.com/stubbie4#album···llations |
|
wilbilt
Pronto Resurrected
Premium
join:2004-01-11
Oroville, CA | reply to ComTech 4
I just pulled 4 #6 THHN in 1 1/4" sch40 PVC about 40 feet with 1 90 and 3 45's. It was an easy pull.
1" should certainly be do-able.
--
We were taking a vote when the ground came up and hit us. |
|
Splitpair
Premium
join:2000-07-29
Cow Towne
 ·T-Mobile US
1 edit | reply to ComTech 4
said by ComTech 4  :Can i fit 3 6 awg thhn wires plus a ground in the conduit? Yes.
Can I use the conduit as the ground? Yes as Nunya pointed out, however if you did not run the conduit or do not know the condition of the connectors used then run a ground wire as well.
Is it 50 amps total between the 2 feeds or 50 amps per feed?
50 amps per feed hot to neutral at 120 volts or 50 amps hot to hot at 240 volts.
By the way with 1 inch and a little snake snot (wire lube) that will be an easy pull, just be sure to have a helper on hand to feed the wire into the conduit to prevent any damage to the insulation.
Wayne
Wayne
--
If you cannot fix it with a buttset and some beanies you're not a technician. |
|
drjim
Premium,MVM
join:2000-06-13
Torrance, CA
clubs: | "Snake Snot"?
Where I come from, we call it "Gorilla Snot", son!
--
One man's Magic is another man's Engineering. |
|
nunya
SEE ROCK CITY 475 MILES
Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO
clubs: | reply to ComTech 4
I can't post what we call it. |
|
SuperWISP
join:2007-04-17
Laramie, WY
| reply to ComTech 4
Yes, you can fit those conductors in a 1" conduit. But why skimp? Go for something a little larger: 1 1/4" or 1 1/2". Use PVC, not metal, and put in a real ground conductor that's the same size as the other conductors. If you're going a long way, or if you have power tools that contain large induction motors, bump the size of all of the conductors up a notch or you'll dim the lights in the garage due to the voltage drop every time you start up one of those tools. Consider, also, the possibility of driving a ground rod at the garage end and bonding it to the ground bus in the panel with #4 copper; it may help if you get surges due to lightning. Also remember to bond the ground bus to the plumbing, if there is any, as close as possible to where it enters the building.
Remember to remove the jumper between ground and neutral in the subpanel, because there should be only one connection between ground and neutral and it should be back at the main panel. |
|
cdru
Go Colts
Premium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
| said by SuperWISP :Yes, you can fit those conductors in a 1" conduit. But why skimp? Go for something a little larger: 1 1/4" or 1 1/2". Use PVC, not metal MY guess is that he has an existing run of conduit and would like to reuse it instead of having to dig his own trench and run new. |
|
John Galt
Forward, March
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Happy Camp
 ·CenturyLink
| reply to ComTech 4
There is an error shown here.
You -NEVER- terminate to the CB in the main panel before you terminate the load (shown here as a subpanel). That is asking for trouble. Someone could come along and turn on the CB while you are working on the other end.
Terminate the load, THEN terminate to the source.
Be safe!
--
The man who speaks to you of sacrifice is speaking of slaves and masters, and intends to be the master.
|
|
John Galt
Forward, March
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Happy Camp
·CenturyLink
| reply to ComTech 4
Also, a "main disconnect" CB might be required by your locality in addition to the CBs feeding your branch circuits in your garage.
--
The man who speaks to you of sacrifice is speaking of slaves and masters, and intends to be the master.
|
|
ImpetusEra
join:2004-05-19
00000
| reply to ComTech 4
I don't recall exactly what the specifics of the code are but you should at the least find out what your area goes by and follow that. Personally I'd size my wire based on voltage drop for distance and at the garage terminate to a disconnect or main disconnect breaker in the sub panel. For wire I'd run 4, two hots, a neutral and a ground and then drive two 8' ground rods spaced 8' apart at the garage. Either the rods or the ground wire in conduit are a requirement if other metallic paths exist between the building (phone/tv/ethernet/water pipe). I think the rods are required regardless though on account of potential lightning strikes (would go through the rod(s) at the garage instead of following back to the main panel in the house). |
|
Killa200
Premium
join:2005-12-02
Spring City, TN | reply to ComTech 4
If you use rods at the garage, remember the ground you run in the conduit has to be at least a minimum of a #6,  |
|
ComTech 4
Premium
join:2002-11-28
USA | reply to ComTech 4
Yes the conduit is existing. Im not going to tare up my concreet driveway to replace it. The total distance of wire would be 30'. |
|
