Do it Yourself: RE: Update RE: [DIY] Electrical troubles

13 February 2013

RE: Update RE: [DIY] Electrical troubles

Hmmm...that is a thought, still be a lot of work to route the wires over. But a 200 amp panel with 12 spaces and 24 circuits is less than the 200 amp fused disconnect. If I went with the QO style panel, I can just swap a lot of the breakers over and not have to buy new.

I'll have to do some checking on prices and see if that is a better option.

thanks for the suggestion

Michael

From: DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of wired
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 9:01 AM
To: DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: Update RE: [DIY] Electrical troubles

As to getting 2/0 wires in the 2" pipe, yes it will go as long as you do not have more than 4 90's (and you used electrical gray sweeping elbows, not plumbing fittings).
Another thought is to put a small main breaker behind the meter and run the big loads such as any electric heat, range, or A/C to it and then all you need to the original panel is perhaps a 125 amp line (#1 guage wire).

--- In DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com, "Michael Baldwin" wrote:
>
> Not sure it would be. Even using the old main panel as a j-box, I would need
> at least 2000 feet of 12-2 wire, that does not include the wires for the
> electrical appliances. Then there is the running them all up to the attic
> and back down to the panel in the garage. Nope, not worth the hassle at all.
>
> I am probably going to end up using THHN wire. I need to run up the garage
> wall to the attic, then back down to the basement, around and through, and
> over to the panel. I put in a 2 inch pvc pipe in the wall for doing this,
> back when I gutted the addition part of the house. I was just not planning
> on doing the electrical upgrade so soon. I do not think I can run 4/0
> aluminum SER through a 2 inch pvc pipe. Not sure I can even run 3 2/0 wires
> plus a #4 ground through it either. I must have thought I could when I put
> it in.
>
> My other option is to run it down, then along the garage until I get to the
> crawl space, and run it through there, then going in to the basement and
> connecting to the panel.
>
> if I wanted to break up about 25 foot of driveway, I could run it under the
> drive and back to the panel in the house, that would be the shortest route,
> but more work.
>
> Michael
> _____
>
> From: DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com]
> On Behalf Of David Cox
> Sent: Monday, February 11, 2013 9:36 PM
> To: DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: Update RE: [DIY] Electrical troubles
>
>
>
>
> Why not put a main breaker panel behind the meter and extend the circuits
> back to it ? A lot cheaper than the 2/0 wire.
> You cannot find 2/0 copper service cable. You would have to run conduit (if
> you do not already have it (1 1/2" or 2")) for single conductors.
> You can, however, find 4/0 aluminum service cable (200 amp equivalent).
> Aluminum is safe as long as all lugs are rated for aluminum.
> Breakers and panels are.
> Everyone has an opinion as to brands, but I like Cutler Hammer type CH (not
> BR).
>
>
>
>
>
> On 2/11/2013 9:01 PM, Michael Baldwin wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> Thanks for confirming. I was about 99% sure that 2/0 AUG is what I needed
> for the power, and 4 AUG for the ground.
> Any suggestions for a disconnect? Not finding much. I want one to sit on the
> inside of the wall from the meter. I do not want a disconnect on the
> outside. then I will run the 2/0 cables from there to the panel.
>
> Michael
>
> _____
>
> From: DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com [mailto:DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com]
> On Behalf Of wired
> Sent: Monday, February 11, 2013 7:48 PM
> To: DoIt_Yourself@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: Update RE: [DIY] Electrical troubles
>
>
>
>
>
> Look up NEC (National Electrical Code)table 310.15(B)(6).
> Single phase 3 wire service for residential requires 1AWG for 150 amp and
> 2/0 AWG for 200 amp.
>