I posted yesterday about how I should wire my sub panel from my main panel, which caused me some confusion on which wire size I need. I am wiring a 60 feeder breaker from my main panel to my sub panel. The main panel is outside of the garage and the sub panel is going to be in the basement. So I am going to be running wire through conduit on the inside of my garage, down through the wall and into the basement ceiling. Does 3/4" EMF (metal) conduit sound like the right thing to use on the inside of my garage?
I was told from my last post that since my city uses 2008 NEC codes that I should use 4/3 copper wire. When I just went to Home Depot the guy said I should use 4 individual, 6 gauge wires. He said that could handle up to 75 amps. He seemed to really know his stuff and 4, #6 wires makes more sense to me (4 gauge seems awfully big). I am going to ground out the sub panel to the main, so that would be the 4th wire. So is the guy at Home Depot right, should I use 4, 6 gauge copper wires?
EMT conduit in your garage, yes.
6 gage single strand THHN is correct for conduit for 60amp, all terminals need to be rated at 90degrees and no other derating factors can apply to use 75amp, most people don't seem to ever use the 90degree rating even between new breakers, which atleast some are rated at 90.
6 gage single strand THHN is correct for conduit for 60amp, all terminals need to be rated at 90degrees and no other derating factors can apply to use 75amp, most people don't seem to ever use the 90degree rating even between new breakers, which atleast some are rated at 90.
Not so Jamie. There are very few if any terminals rated for 90 deg C. About the only thing rated 90 deg is the wire itself.
The 90 deg column is basically used for derating purposes and not much more.
So I should use 3 #6 wires, and 1 #10 for the ground? Just out of curiosity, would it still be OK to use a #6 for the ground? A #10 would be nice since it would save me some money.
Sorry wirenut for leaving out the conduit information before. I didn't realize that I didn't mention that part until I got to the store today.
You'll need to get a green or bare wire for the ground, and a white or black with yellow or white stripe for the neutral. You cannot re-identify anything smaller than #4. You can pull any size you want for the ground as long as it's not smaller than #10. You'll play hell pulling 4 in a 3/4 conduit though.
Also, 4-6's is max fill in a 3/4 EMT. Whatever code says max is ,I usually go at least 1 if not 2 sizes larger depending length and bends.
If you run any of this conduit outside, you'll need to use compression fittings, set screw fittings will be ok inside. If I was you, I'd just run PVC in and out. To me it's easier for a DIY'r.
I just did a pull of 4 6awg is 3/4" EMT with 360degrees of bends over about 50'. I used no pull lube and had no problems with the pull at all, it really was an easy pull.
I use a fiber tape and I spend a long time preparing the leader.
yes, they need to be in conduit. single strands of wire, thhn style wire can never be run outside of conduit. jamie
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