Joining 8 gauge wire

[TRR]

I'm planing the wiring layout for my barn. I need to run 8 gauge wire to 3 different locations with the wire run to the closest point being 80' from the breaker panel. I'd like all 3 points to be on the same circuit since I will only be drawing from one point at a time. In order to keep the wire length as short as possible, it looks like I will need to join (4) 8 gauge wires together. Since it is a 240v circuit that will put 3 sets of these in the same box along with the ground wire. The complicating factor is that this connection will be 20' up in the air near the roof. I really do not want to go the solder and tape route if there is another choice. I was hoping there would be some kind of box with a bus bar that could be used to do this. See diagram - each color gets connected together and each of the wires will run to the 4 corners. Any ideas or suggestions?

The alternative is to make each location it's own circuit and run lots of wire.

 

[magicheater]

From what I have observed most are doing the "home run" route. I am sure it is possible but may not be code as there is the "potential" to overload the feed if all three branches are used at once. If you ran the feed to a fuse box with separate fuses for all the branches then you might meet code. That however might exceed the cost of how you are trying to do it. There are plenty of mechanical connectors available to do what you want to do.

 

[firedog]

use split bolt connectors. aka "kerneys".

 

[jonyyuma]

Solder and tape went out years ago..Kearneys or splitbolts inside a 12 inch square jb, with cover..Make certain they are tight....The circuit will only carry the sum of the single 8 guage waire at any point, don't forget to derate for the distances..

 

[Gizmo2]

I would probably do a sub-panel off the main, some 80ft away but not at a height of 20 ft, with three circuit breakers.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I would probably do a sub-panel off the main, some 80ft away but not at a height of 20 ft, with three circuit breakers.

That was my thought. Of course the split bolts in a j-box would work well, too.

Question about the sub-panel idea. If TRR ran his 8 gauge to the sub-panel and pulled shorter runs off to the receptacles, could he use smaller wire for the runs to the receptacles?

 

[tommu56]

Don't pull 4 runs pull straight through and over lap the wires like my crude dwg and put split bolt across the junction tape up correctly and fold in to the box.

tom

 

[jonyyuma]

Tommu, nice drawing, i don't do them yet. Correct idea about the joints, be careful about the bottom of the bolts cutting the tape, we use Vc and or rubber for a perfect fit and insulation.

 

[tommu56]

Tommu, nice drawing, i don't do them yet. Correct idea about the joints, be careful about the bottom of the bolts cutting the tape, we use Vc and or rubber for a perfect fit and insulation.[/quote

I actually use scotch 2510 Cambic and 3m 2210 mastic the +33 over it all

 

[ultrarunner]

My electrical supply house has a variation of the split bolt that is insulated... no worries of shorts.

 

[swinewerks]

Use a clear tap and then you don't have to worry about tape.

 

[tommu56]

Use a clear tap and then you don't have to worry about tape.

I am good at taping for $87.00 X 4 =$348 it might pay to use home runs???

 

[Gizmo2]

That was my thought. Of course the split bolts in a j-box would work well, too.

Question about the sub-panel idea. If TRR ran his 8 gauge to the sub-panel and pulled shorter runs off to the receptacles, could he use smaller wire for the runs to the receptacles?

All related to current draw. The sub-panel has other benefits, A disconnect that is not on the other side of the world, A way to add additional circuits if the need comes up and as you mentioned, Big wire to the sub-panel and smaller wire to location.

 

[swinewerks]

My supplier sell the size you need for around $15 each.

 

[TRR]

I'd forgotten about the split bolts and I'll look into that tap. Thanks. :thumbsup: