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Is this the best type wire/method to use???

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Is this the best type wire/method to use??? Joey 08-18-2005
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Posted by Sacramento Dave on August 19, 2005, 1:46 am


I don't see a allot or Aluminum used any more, that says something . I,I'm
not an electrician but when I did my shop he said Copper. Also aluminum
corrodes, When I wired my new oven they used aluminum wire in the house I
had to use a special lube for the wire nuts. He also said panel box
connection have a tendency to get lose. Spend the extra Copper
> Hi all,
>
> I'm running electric to a new shop building underground for about
> 185 feet. I'm considering using aluminum tri-plex #4 or #6 inside
> 1" PVC buried about 2 feet. I'll be running a 120V air compressor,
> an arc welder, and a 120V window A/C but not all at the same time.
> The reason I'm looking at the aluminum tri-plex is the cost which
> is .70/.85 cents a foot in my area. Is this the best and least
> expensive way to do this job ? I'm doing it myself so I'm not
> worried about code but I will have sufficient breakers on both
> ends. Any suggestions/ideas please ?
>
> J
> SW Georgia




Posted by Amun on August 25, 2005, 7:32 am


I am an electrician (retired)

But most areas do not even allow aluminum to be used any more.
(too many corrosion problems when terminations/joints are not done properly)

Also aluminum wires have to be heavier than copper for the same load, so #6
aluminum can be #8 in copper, you may find the prices are about the same in
the end

Copper wiring is still the best.

Gauge of wire you need depends on the loads you will be drawing, and also
local codes , but it's always a good idea to figure out what you need then
go up one size
(you may decide next year to buy a heavier welder)

The codes are there for a reason, follow them (or better them) even if you
decide to do it without an inspection/permit.

As with the other posts I agree that you can pull individual cables and save
a few bucks over the cost of triplex.
You can easily go up a size or two more than you need on the conduit to
make it easier to pull, and provide room for more wires later if you need
them



> I don't see a allot or Aluminum used any more, that says something .
I,I'm
> not an electrician but when I did my shop he said Copper. Also aluminum
> corrodes, When I wired my new oven they used aluminum wire in the house I
> had to use a special lube for the wire nuts. He also said panel box
> connection have a tendency to get lose. Spend the extra Copper
> > Hi all,
> >
> > I'm running electric to a new shop building underground for about
> > 185 feet. I'm considering using aluminum tri-plex #4 or #6 inside
> > 1" PVC buried about 2 feet. I'll be running a 120V air compressor,
> > an arc welder, and a 120V window A/C but not all at the same time.
> > The reason I'm looking at the aluminum tri-plex is the cost which
> > is .70/.85 cents a foot in my area. Is this the best and least
> > expensive way to do this job ? I'm doing it myself so I'm not
> > worried about code but I will have sufficient breakers on both
> > ends. Any suggestions/ideas please ?
> >
> > J
> > SW Georgia
>
>




Posted by RBM on August 19, 2005, 7:22 am


I too, have no way to tell from the info you provide, what size feeder you
need, but also agree that copper would be a better choice. Keep in mind the
conductor insulation must be approved for "wet" locations like THWN. Most
insulation has multiple ratings, however in larger sizes you can still find
straight THHN wire which is not rated for wet locations



> Hi all,
>
> I'm running electric to a new shop building underground for about
> 185 feet. I'm considering using aluminum tri-plex #4 or #6 inside
> 1" PVC buried about 2 feet. I'll be running a 120V air compressor,
> an arc welder, and a 120V window A/C but not all at the same time.
> The reason I'm looking at the aluminum tri-plex is the cost which
> is .70/.85 cents a foot in my area. Is this the best and least
> expensive way to do this job ? I'm doing it myself so I'm not
> worried about code but I will have sufficient breakers on both
> ends. Any suggestions/ideas please ?
>
> J
> SW Georgia




Posted by Chris Lewis on August 19, 2005, 4:38 pm


> Hi all,
>
> I'm running electric to a new shop building underground for about
> 185 feet. I'm considering using aluminum tri-plex #4 or #6 inside
> 1" PVC buried about 2 feet. I'll be running a 120V air compressor,
> an arc welder, and a 120V window A/C but not all at the same time.
> The reason I'm looking at the aluminum tri-plex is the cost which
> is .70/.85 cents a foot in my area. Is this the best and least
> expensive way to do this job ? I'm doing it myself so I'm not
> worried about code but I will have sufficient breakers on both
> ends. Any suggestions/ideas please ?

When we wired our detached garage (100A, 120' worth of sub feed),
it would have cost about $700 in copper versus $300-ish in Al.

#3 Al triplex versus #4 Cu NMW (aka US UF).

In our area (Canadian codes), you can direct bury NMW (no conduit
or other protection) as long as it's >24" underground (goes to >30"
under driveways/roads). You can subtract 6" from the depth if you
put it in CSA-rated PVC tubing. (I don't think the NEC permits
PVC tubing of any kind, has to be real conduit).

We used a PVC sleeve under the driveway, but not under other parts
because the trench was 24" thruout.

Given the price difference, we went with the aluminum. Haven't
regretted it. But it does have to be carefully done exactly
to code (grease etc).
--
Chris Lewis, Una confibula non set est
It's not just anyone who gets a Starship Cruiser class named after them.


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