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cmslick3
join:2004-05-24
Joliet, IL

cmslick3 to nunya

Member

to nunya

Re: Garage wiring upgrade

said by nunya:

What's the need for a 60A panel? What is wrong, specifically, with the existing cable? Wrong type? It would be a shame to do a bunch of work for no reason (little gain).

#6 is sufficient if you use the proper type of wire (THWN/TWN). Voltage drop is a concern over distance.
I don't know what the final load will be so I can't comment.
You probably don't need 4 #6, but the overkill won't hurt anything. You might only need 2 #6H, 1 #8N, 1 #8G.

What else are you missing? Expansion risers? Lube?

The 60 amp panel is already there. The need is basically my wife wants to start a lot of woodworking projects and the current setup is tripping the feeder breakers in the basement.
The existing feeder is #10 cable direct buried into the ground only a matter of inches. It also is unprotected leaving the house and coming into the garage, and it doesn't reach the panel in the garage so I had to splice in a short piece to make up for that.

Wire:
»www.homedepot.com/Electr ··· ncuQ0WSo

Load:
Table saw, garage door, outlets, space heater, Koi Pond (pump, Aerator), Misc power tools and air compressor.

Good suggestion on the expansion joints, I'll look into them. Cable lube shouldn't be a problem.

cdru
Go Colts
MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN

cdru

MVM

If you will be running conduit, why are you running UF? THWN would be cheaper and easier to run unless you are just using the conduit where the wire emerges above ground. Conduit needs to be ran typically 18" underground where bare UF 24" IIRC (check local listings)

Do you really need 250'? If it's less, you probably can find the THWN by the foot for less than what that spool will cost you.

nunya
LXI 483
MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO

nunya to cmslick3

MVM

to cmslick3
Why battle with UF cable at $3.18 / ft when you could run THWN at $1.90 / ft (and that's using 4 #6!)?
cmslick3
join:2004-05-24
Joliet, IL

1 edit

cmslick3

Member

I wasn't going to buy the entire roll, at most I need 50 feet. I just thought this would be the easiest way to get the wire through the conduit. From what you guys are suggesting I need to get four 50' lengths of #6 THWN.

Would this suffice:
»www.menards.com/main/ele ··· 6441.htm

I think they have multiple colors, if not I've got colored tape.

what size conduit would i need to run in order to fit four of these wires in to reach the garage?

Edit: Nevermind, Google answered that for me. THHN, #6, 3/4" conduit = 4 conductors.

nunya
LXI 483
MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO

nunya

MVM

Trust me, you'll kick your own ass if you use 3/4". 1-1/4" minimum. 2" if you plan on forcing UF through it.
cmslick3
join:2004-05-24
Joliet, IL

cmslick3

Member

said by nunya:

Trust me, you'll kick your own ass if you use 3/4". 1-1/4" minimum. 2" if you plan on forcing UF through it.

So what cable could you suggest? I have Lowes, Mendards & Home Depot nearby.

Would my last suggestion from Menards work in 3/4" conduit or should I go up to 1"
»www.menards.com/main/ele ··· 6441.htm

nunya
LXI 483
MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO
·Charter

nunya

MVM

The wire from menards will work just fine. I would use 1-1/4" conduit for the #6 thwn. I would use 2" conduit for UF cable.

I would also drop a spare conduit for phone / ethernet / intercom (or whatever).

Conduit is cheap, time is valuable, and trenching is expensive.

Code tables can be overly optimistic when it comes to conduit fill tables. While technically code allows you jam X number of wires into a conduit, the reality is that a trade size or two up will make life a lot easier. When using code as a reference, remember it's the "bare minimum" that you can get away with.

You can probably get your materials much cheaper from an electrical supplier. Retail prices on electrical items are a rip-off. We don't have a Menard's here yet (they are still building it). But if their prices are along the same line as Lowe's Depot, then they are probably overpriced too.
cmslick3
join:2004-05-24
Joliet, IL

cmslick3

Member

I found a place at half the per foot price of Menards so good suggestion.

One final question, Does the ground wire need to be #6 or can it be a #8 or #10? The supply shop has black, red and white in #6 but not green.