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10-11-2012, 10:22 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 54
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Type of wire to run to sub panel
I'm finishing my basement, and decided to add a subpanel for power down there. I'd like to use a 50 or 60 amp breaker in the main panel, but I'm not clear on what wire to use to run to the subpanel. I can't seem to find any romex in 6 gauge or bigger at the big big stores, but I did find this online: http://www.wesbellwireandcable.com/R...mexnmb6-2.html Should I be using romex, or should I be using individual wires in a conduit? Will I need higher than 6 gauge to support 60 amps?
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10-11-2012, 11:36 AM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 3,316
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Type of wire to run to sub panel
The wire in the link can be purchased from a local electrical supply house. But, you need 6/3 NM. Not 6/2 NM. You must run four wires to the sub. H-H-N-G.
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10-11-2012, 12:23 PM
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#3
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 54
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Type of wire to run to sub panel
Quote:
Originally Posted by J. V.
The wire in the link can be purchased from a local electrical supply house. But, you need 6/3 NM. Not 6/2 NM. You must run four wires to the sub. H-H-N-G.
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Thank you, what's the additional wire for?
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10-11-2012, 12:56 PM
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#4
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Newbie
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 11
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Type of wire to run to sub panel
the additional wire is for the ground, in a main panel nuetrals and grounds can be together but in a sub panel they hav to be isolated
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10-11-2012, 02:29 PM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 54
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Type of wire to run to sub panel
Isn't 6/2 three wires, hot, neutral and ground? 6/3 is four leads, right?
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10-11-2012, 02:33 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 124
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Type of wire to run to sub panel
Correct... 6/3 with ground contains two hots, a neutral, and a ground. One hot would be connected to each pole of your 2-pole feeder breaker in the main panel to run 240V and then connect to the buses in your subpanel (lugs or breaker).
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The Following User Says Thank You to BrandonD For This Useful Post:
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10-11-2012, 07:07 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 54
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Type of wire to run to sub panel
Gotcha, cool, thank you.
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10-11-2012, 08:02 PM
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#8
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DIY Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 774
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Type of wire to run to sub panel
Quote:
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Originally Posted by MrAngles
Isn't 6/2 three wires, hot, neutral and ground? 6/3 is four leads, right?
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Generally speaking the first # in wire description refers to the gauge (thickness) of the wire.
The second # refers to the amount of wires within the sheathing. The ground is almost never referenced in that # but is almost always there.
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10-11-2012, 08:06 PM
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#9
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Licensed Electrician
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 3,230
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Type of wire to run to sub panel
Quote:
Originally Posted by sublime2
Generally speaking the first # in wire description refers to the gauge (thickness) of the wire.
The second # refers to the amount of wires within the sheathing. The ground is almost never referenced in that # but is almost always there.
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You are correct on the gauge, but the second number refers to then number of insulated conductors.
__________________
Location...Location...Location
Answers based on the National Electric Code. Always check local amendments.
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10-11-2012, 08:20 PM
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#10
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DIY Enthusiast
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 774
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Type of wire to run to sub panel
Quote:
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Originally Posted by k_buz
You are correct on the gauge, but the second number refers to then number of insulated conductors.
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Tomato, tomAto.
Terminology.
No?
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12-29-2012, 07:22 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 54
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Type of wire to run to sub panel
Okay I have my 50A breaker, my sub panel and my 6-3 NM wire, with three 6-gauge conductors and a ground.
My sub panel has three lugs, two for hot and one for negative? Where do I hook up the ground? Do I just screw it in anywhere on the negative bar? Also since this is just going from the attached garage to the basement (it doesn't go outside anywhere), do I take the green screw out?
(sorry for the poor picture)
Last edited by MrAngles; 12-29-2012 at 07:39 PM.
Reason: Added picture
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12-29-2012, 07:46 PM
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#12
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Electrical Contractor
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Granville, NY
Posts: 1,917
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Type of wire to run to sub panel
You will have to add a ground bar.
__________________
Please ask me about my special discount for people that shut up and stay out of my way! With Electricity there is the right way to do it and the dead way. Just because it works does not make it safe.
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12-29-2012, 07:47 PM
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#13
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Electrical Contractor
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Granville, NY
Posts: 1,917
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Type of wire to run to sub panel
Quote:
Originally Posted by sublime2
Tomato, tomAto.
Terminology.
No?
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Yes it is.
__________________
Please ask me about my special discount for people that shut up and stay out of my way! With Electricity there is the right way to do it and the dead way. Just because it works does not make it safe.
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12-29-2012, 08:39 PM
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#14
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 54
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Type of wire to run to sub panel
Quote:
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Originally Posted by rrolleston
You will have to add a ground bar.
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Ok I see where the ground bar will pop in on the left side. Do I need to actually ground it to something in the basement, or is it just a spot for the ground wires to all connect to the 6-3 supply wire's ground?
And how about that green screw?
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12-29-2012, 08:49 PM
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#15
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Master Electrician
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Indiana
Posts: 2,309
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Type of wire to run to sub panel
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrAngles
Ok I see where the ground bar will pop in on the left side. Do I need to actually ground it to something in the basement, or is it just a spot for the ground wires to all connect to the 6-3 supply wire's ground?
And how about that green screw?
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Remove the green screw.
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