Details:
Barn is 120 feet from house. Want to run an underground wire from house to barn on its own breaker from the main house breaker box. Barn will have about 15 lights, and a small 25 gallon hot water heater. Any ideas as to what size wire we would need for at least a 40 to 60 amp services to the barn's breaker box? Thank you.
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Use a minimum of #6 copper (2 for hots, 1 for neutral) and #8 or #10 ground for a total of 4 wires. You can run individual THWN wires in conduit or use UF cable. A ground rod is required at the barn.
Thank you for your response,
I have what appears to be 3/12 AWG NMWU 602 300V wire already running out in the ground to the old barn. Is this wire too small? I would like to use it, otherwise would have to run all new wire out.
I have what appears to be 3/12 AWG NMWU 602 300V wire already running out in the ground to the old barn. Is this wire too small? I would like to use it, otherwise would have to run all new wire out.
If what you have is 12/3 NM, and it is a little hard to tell from what you posted, then you have wire that is NOT approved for use underground and which is limited to 20amps. Replace the wire.
Thank you again for the reply
I now find, on closer inspection, there is 10/3 wire going to the barn. I want to run a small 1200 watt - 1500 watt water heater, about 15 lights, and a small oil "radiant" heater in the barn. I figure the water heater will be no more than 20 amps, don't know about the rest...
Do you think 10/3 wire is ok now?
Thanks
I now find, on closer inspection, there is 10/3 wire going to the barn. I want to run a small 1200 watt - 1500 watt water heater, about 15 lights, and a small oil "radiant" heater in the barn. I figure the water heater will be no more than 20 amps, don't know about the rest...
Do you think 10/3 wire is ok now?
Thanks
