Terra-Dome Earth Shelter Build

[tommu56]

Those nipples between the boxes look like ~1 1/2" they might be a little tight to get all the ~100 wires in (3x33) 1 1/2" is rated for 58 x 2 =116 (assuming 12 guage)
If it were me while its open I'd add another nipple to give you some room for future.
Or you might want to explore putting ground terminal strip in the hoffman box (I'm not sure it would be code) and run one full size ground in to the beaker panel ground from it.
that would remove ~ 33 wires from running through the nipples.

tom

 

[beppington]

Absolutely leave extra wire. A service loop is good but not too much as to create difficulty getting the required devices in the gang box. At the other end you can store more length if it is in a larger capacity box like my junction box or the circuit breaker panel.

I wonder if he meant to leave a loop inside the wall just outside the gang box; That's what's done here in our area. Probably about 12-15" extra wire.

 

[sajurcaju]

Those nipples between the boxes look like ~1 1/2" they might be a little tight to get all the ~100 wires in (3x33) 1 1/2" is rated for 58 x 2 =116 (assuming 12 guage)
If it were me while its open I'd add another nipple to give you some room for future.
Or you might want to explore putting ground terminal strip in the hoffman box (I'm not sure it would be code) and run one full size ground in to the beaker panel ground from it.
that would remove ~ 33 wires from running through the nipples.

tom

Our electrician put a ground strip inside the Hoffman box. I can put together a detailed description if needed.

Steve

 

[sajurcaju]

I wonder if he meant to leave a loop inside the wall just outside the gang box; That's what's done here in our area. Probably about 12-15" extra wire.

What Sam and I have are conduits cast in concrete walls. We don't have an "inside the wall".....

Steve
Maine

 

[beppington]

What Sam and I have are conduits cast in concrete walls. We don't have an "inside the wall".....

I just thought maybe your interior walls were studs like mine.

 

[SamWalton]

Those nipples between the boxes look like ~1 1/2" they might be a little tight to get all the ~100 wires in (3x33) 1 1/2" is rated for 58 x 2 =116 (assuming 12 guage)
If it were me while its open I'd add another nipple to give you some room for future.
Or you might want to explore putting ground terminal strip in the hoffman box (I'm not sure it would be code) and run one full size ground in to the beaker panel ground from it.
that would remove ~ 33 wires from running through the nipples.

tom

The two nipples are 2" and I plan to install one more on the upper side of the CH panel. Also many of the conduits are not necessary because the gang boxes in the walls have other conduits between them. I have multiple paths on wiring the same boxes. I choose to keep my options open in case we go off the grid and switch to DC which will require larger wire and more amps due to lower voltages.

 

[SamWalton]

I wonder if he meant to leave a loop inside the wall just outside the gang box; That's what's done here in our area. Probably about 12-15" extra wire.

The wire loops can't be stored in the 3/4" conduits but only in the gang boxes or junction boxes or circuit breaker panels. You only need a little extra as t allow you to cut back a damaged section and reconnect. It is also very simple to pull new wire anytime with conduit provided you don't have to many bends in a run.

 

[SamWalton]

I just thought maybe your interior walls were studs like mine.

You are correct our interior walls are framed and on these walls I will use ROMEX, not conduit and this wiring can't be replaced easily like the THHN wire in conduit.

 

[patrick_g]

Hey Sam, Congratulations on getting the pneumonia holes closed so your fire does some good.

It may take quite a while before all the available moisture in the concrete has dissipated but the wood fire and a little ventilation will sure help control it.

Reserving space for large diameter low voltage DC wiring in case you go off-grid?

With inverter efficiencies available these days you wouldn't give up much running inverter(s) and still using 120VAC as per usual. Of course if you are going to use a crank generator type radio for your entertainment system and huddle around a shake to charge flashlight for illumination you can skip the BIG wires.

Pat

 

[SamWalton]

We have 40 conduits installed into our junction box. We now have three 2" conduits providing power from the circuit breaker panel to the junction box.