Recent Feedback
HiI live in Chandler Arizona and I am going to run power from my home to a new detached garage. I need to know the size and material (Cu vs Al) of wire to meet coed. I have dome some on line calculations but not sure if it is correct. Here is what I plan to do:Distance from Main panel to sub 110-120’Sub panel breaker size 70 ampVoltage to sub 240 volt3 conductors and one bare groundBuried in schedule 40 pvc conduitCu is so blasted expensive I may run Al if I can.ThanksScott
Already Tried: On line electic wire calculator
hi this is john and will be glad to help
let me finish reading your issue and will be right with you
you can go two different ways........#4 copper in schedule 40 pvc will give you 70 amps at 120' with less than a 3% Voltage drop or you could save alot of money and go......#2 Al. URD direct buriel that will give you 70 amps at 120' with less than a 3% voltage drop
since you are running to a detached garage you also must drop anothewr ground rod with #6 copper between rod and sub Panel
that #2 Al. URD is 4 conductor
the only pvc you will need with the al. run would be for coming out of the main panel if needed and going up to the sub panel
does it reqiure Conduit or can it just be burried?
the urd is made and approved for direct burial
alot cheaper than copper and all of the pvc
make sure you use an anti oxidizing agent such as a no-lox at all of your aluminum connections
yoiu are basically running 100 amps to get 70 amps
thanks again
no problem and good luck with your project
Experience: over 40 years of all phases related to residential wiring and remodeling
What Happens Now?Your chat has ended, but you can still work with your Expert to get an answer to your question if you have not yet received one.Come back to this page at any time to see additional information from your Expert. You will also receive an email when your question is updated. If you want to send a message to your Expert, use the box below.If you have already received a satisfactory answer to your question, click the Accept button above. Experts are credited for each accepted answer they provide.