Spencer's Pole Barn Project

[Spencer]

Re: Spencer\'s Pole Barn Project

Now it is time to start pulling the wire through the trench. Hmmm, how will I attach the wire to the tractor? Hey, look at what the guys that did the directional boring left out by my transformer. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I literally just found this laying on the ground only minutes before I needed it.

 

[Spencer]

Re: Spencer\'s Pole Barn Project

As most of you know I only have half of a roof on my pole building and a few tarps up for make shift walls. Of course I needed to mount my panel on the side of the barn that doesn't have a roof on it yet. So I made this enclosure to protect the panel from the elements. Now its not NEMA TYPE 3R rainproof but I think it will do.

By the way I am pushing to get power now instead of finishing the roof because I, and everybody around me, are tired of hearing my 7500 watt, 14 h.p. generator blaring away for hours and hours.

 

[Spencer]

Re: Spencer\'s Pole Barn Project

Here is the wire and conduit feeding the panel in the pole barn. I needed to have the conduit go at least 18" into the ground. I used 2 1/2" electrical conduit on this.

 

[Spencer]

Re: Spencer\'s Pole Barn Project

Now that I got the wire into the panel I need to cut it to the proper length. I didn't have any huge cable cutters like the pros have but I do have this.

 

[Spencer]

Re: Spencer\'s Pole Barn Project

The panels that I am using have lugs in them that will only accept 3/0 wire. The 350mcm wire that I am using is much larger than 3/0 and will help to reduce voltage drop that occurs over long distances like this. So I had to get these special fittings that crimp on the wire. In the picture you see the small end of the fitting, thats the same diameter as 3/0 wire.

 

[Spencer]

Re: Spencer\'s Pole Barn Project

Whenever you are using aluminum wire you need to put this special Electrical Joint Compound on them to keep them from corroding.

 

[Spencer]

Re: Spencer\'s Pole Barn Project

Luckily I use to do some sub contracting work for the local electrical supply house so they let me borrow these hydraulic crimpers for the weekend /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. It looks like a pretty expensive tool to me.

 

[Spencer]

Re: Spencer\'s Pole Barn Project

Here is the connector after it has been crimped.

 

[Spencer]

Re: Spencer\'s Pole Barn Project

You are supposed to torque down these lugs to a specific value. In my case it was 225 in-lbs.

 

[Spencer]

Re: Spencer\'s Pole Barn Project

OK, this panel is done enough for me to go and hook up to the live panel over by the transformer.