[Boatanchors] OT: 230vac house circuit runs

[J Forster]

Here's an approximate answer:

1. Code:  The NEC basically says #14 is good for 15A, #12 for 20A. Check
that your circuit is fused for 20A and, if so, it should be OK.

2. Voltage drop:  Copper wire is about 1.6 Ohms per 1000'  for #12:

(see:  http://www.stealth316.com/2-wire-resistance.htm)

your run is about 280 feet...  say 250' = 0.4  Ohms, so the voltage drop
will be roughly 8 V @ 20A

If you can live with that, you can use the wire.

Best & Happy Thanksgiving,
-John







eugene at hertzmail.com wrote:

> Hello all, happy thanksgiving.
>
> Sorry for the off topic post.  I am looking to run a 230vac circuit to
> my shack for an amplifier (URT-23/Harrs RF-130) --yes it has tubes and
> could easily anchor a boat, so its not too far ot).  Just running this
> circuit is a major project. The approximate length of the run is 140
> feet. This includes the ups and downs, acrosses and overs that this wire
> will have to do.
>
> The amplifier specifies the input power as 230vac (+/- 10%) 20 amps
> (this thing consumes 4500 watts!).
>
> The thing is, I already have a 230vac wire run that gets me 75% of the
> way there (from a no longer used air conditioning compressor). So I am
> really hoping I can use this and just handle the remaining 25% of the
> run.
>
> Here comes the question.  This existing run is 12 AWG.  Is 12 AWG
> sufficient to handle this application at 140 feet in length? I don't
> mind if the final voltage is lower (probably would only cause a little
> less output) but my primary concern is safety and passing an electrical
> inspection. Certainly, if I were to do the complete run from scratch, I
> might use 10 AWG, but what do you all think about 12 AWG?
>
> Thanks very much!
> 73 Eugene W2HX