Aluminum service wire
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Farwell
Veteran Member
Chim,
Thank your for you post. I have been looking for something to use on my battery posts other than that red goopy stuff. I never thought of the NoAlox that I have in my electrical supply box. I will give it a try.
Farwell
Thank your for you post. I have been looking for something to use on my battery posts other than that red goopy stuff. I never thought of the NoAlox that I have in my electrical supply box. I will give it a try.
Farwell
rswyan
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I'm using 4/0 AL to run a 200A service out to my polebarn from the house .... the run is around 275'. I would think that you would be fine.
rambler
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</font><font color="blue" class="small">( i was wrong on the wire size . It was 2/0 service wire. )</font>
As long as you understand you will be using 4/0 AL wire to be the equivelant of the 2/0 CU wire, and you follow the other things mentioned (AL terminals, AL grease is very important) then the AL service feeds are the normal way to go. AL is not much liked or accepted as wiring _inside_ a dwelling any more, too much arcing. Your dad may have reservations from that part of the isue. But AL is a good choice for the main feed these days.
--->Paul
As long as you understand you will be using 4/0 AL wire to be the equivelant of the 2/0 CU wire, and you follow the other things mentioned (AL terminals, AL grease is very important) then the AL service feeds are the normal way to go. AL is not much liked or accepted as wiring _inside_ a dwelling any more, too much arcing. Your dad may have reservations from that part of the isue. But AL is a good choice for the main feed these days.
--->Paul
rambler
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</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I'm using 4/0 AL to run a 200A service out to my polebarn from the house .... the run is around 275'. I would think that you would be fine. )</font>
That's not real good, you will have a 4.6% voltage drop, or more that what is normally allowed. You should be several sizes larger. Will be pretty hard on electric motors this way.
Likely you are figuring on not using the full 200 amps ever, but just for the benefit of others - your 4/0 wire should be upgraded to 350kcmil size for a proper, 200 amp installation. Your 4/0 wire for 275 feet would suggest a 130 amp max draw.....
--->Paul
That's not real good, you will have a 4.6% voltage drop, or more that what is normally allowed. You should be several sizes larger. Will be pretty hard on electric motors this way.
Likely you are figuring on not using the full 200 amps ever, but just for the benefit of others - your 4/0 wire should be upgraded to 350kcmil size for a proper, 200 amp installation. Your 4/0 wire for 275 feet would suggest a 130 amp max draw.....
--->Paul
Inspector507
Super Member
rswyan,
Don't worry, we have been discussing your electric needs for some time and you are fine.
BTW there is no code requirements for voltage drop, only how the system should be designed for ''reasonable effeciency of operation". "Recommended" drop is 3% on BRANCH CIRCUITS and 5% on FEEDERS and BRANCH CIRCUITS . So unless you have a ton of wire run for each circuit in the barn, you'll probably be less than 5% anyway. Besides we took diversity into consideration as not everything imaginable will be running at any one time.
Don't worry, we have been discussing your electric needs for some time and you are fine.
BTW there is no code requirements for voltage drop, only how the system should be designed for ''reasonable effeciency of operation". "Recommended" drop is 3% on BRANCH CIRCUITS and 5% on FEEDERS and BRANCH CIRCUITS . So unless you have a ton of wire run for each circuit in the barn, you'll probably be less than 5% anyway. Besides we took diversity into consideration as not everything imaginable will be running at any one time.
slowzuki
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His polebarn should be ok with 5% voltage drop, its pretty near impossible to load a panel to 200 amps evenly. Especially in a workshop.
I'm running into the same problem, the electrician wants me to go up a gauge since my panel is 20 ft more than what 3% drop would be. I only really need a 100 amp panel but it seems stupid to spend extra to get a smaller panel.
Ken
I'm running into the same problem, the electrician wants me to go up a gauge since my panel is 20 ft more than what 3% drop would be. I only really need a 100 amp panel but it seems stupid to spend extra to get a smaller panel.
Ken
rswyan
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Thanks guys.
As the Inspector says I should be good .... the likelihood of me ever hitting even 130 amp draw is probably pretty slim. I am putting in a 200A panel in the barn (dropped off of a fused main disconnect switch in the house) mostly to be able wire multiple 220v/240v machines on individual dedicated circuits. Some of the stuff, like a Bridgeport and an engine lathe, I don't even have yet .... and probably won't for some time. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Although, with the new washer and dryer that the wife got for Christmas, it looks like I will have a dedicated setup (as soon as I replace the motor in the dryer) for cleaning all my oily and greasy rags and clothes .... much to my wife's relief I'm sure /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Like Ken mentions, the fact that the 200A panel was only a few dollars more than the 125A and 150A panels (and came with a a slew of breakers included) played into the decision a bit as well.
The panel in the barn will be located on the center of one side of the building and I'll be breaking up the branch circuits to keep the wire runs as short as possible.
Like the Inspector says not everything will be running at once .... it would be pretty rare for me to have more than a couple of things (besides some of the the lights) going at any given point.
I can also limit it by running lower amp fuses at the disconnect switch in the house ..... not that I would want to be popping them very often .... at around $50 a pop for a pair it would get pretty expensive real quick.
As the Inspector says I should be good .... the likelihood of me ever hitting even 130 amp draw is probably pretty slim. I am putting in a 200A panel in the barn (dropped off of a fused main disconnect switch in the house) mostly to be able wire multiple 220v/240v machines on individual dedicated circuits. Some of the stuff, like a Bridgeport and an engine lathe, I don't even have yet .... and probably won't for some time. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Although, with the new washer and dryer that the wife got for Christmas, it looks like I will have a dedicated setup (as soon as I replace the motor in the dryer) for cleaning all my oily and greasy rags and clothes .... much to my wife's relief I'm sure /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
Like Ken mentions, the fact that the 200A panel was only a few dollars more than the 125A and 150A panels (and came with a a slew of breakers included) played into the decision a bit as well.
The panel in the barn will be located on the center of one side of the building and I'll be breaking up the branch circuits to keep the wire runs as short as possible.
Like the Inspector says not everything will be running at once .... it would be pretty rare for me to have more than a couple of things (besides some of the the lights) going at any given point.
I can also limit it by running lower amp fuses at the disconnect switch in the house ..... not that I would want to be popping them very often .... at around $50 a pop for a pair it would get pretty expensive real quick.
mudcat
Platinum Member
If there is one thing I know, NEVER ARGUE WITH THE INSPECTOR. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I don't think you'll have a problem.
Keoke
Gold Member
Rswayn, I hear you on the sub-box rating compared to what amps you will actually use on the house to barn run dictating wire size. Bottom line, fuse wire from main panel to sub-panel to what your sub-panel feed wire can safely handle (100 to 150 amps) without overheating. This breaker size should be the same at both the main box take off and sub box main.
Going to a 200 amp breaker at house panel could have the unintended consequence of warming up the ground between your house and barn.
Correction: Rswayn, I messed up and missed the last sentence of your post on sizing down to smaller breakers to fit wire load.
Sorry about that. I will read slower next time!!!
take care,
Going to a 200 amp breaker at house panel could have the unintended consequence of warming up the ground between your house and barn.
Correction: Rswayn, I messed up and missed the last sentence of your post on sizing down to smaller breakers to fit wire load.
Sorry about that. I will read slower next time!!!
take care,