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idaho04
Member

Reged: 09/17/02
Posts: 81
Loc: Priest River, ID
How Much Voltage Drop is Acceptable
      09/09/04 10:06 AM
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I am planning to run a wire to our new barn. The length is about 750 feet. I am thinking that I will need 20A for some lights and possibly a water pump for water for animals. Depending on the wire I choose there will be a voltage drop. I can fugure out how much voltage drop I will get but how much drop can I affort? Light bulb should not be affected much but how about fluorescent light, or water pump?

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Inspector507
Gold Member

Reged: 09/11/02
Posts: 361
Loc: Central Ohio
Re: How Much Voltage Drop is Acceptable new [re: idaho04]
      09/09/04 05:45 PM
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Depends on the total load imposed at any one time.
3-5% is acceptable. Motors will not like any more than that. I have no idea how the new flourescents with electronic ballasts will do.
With a 10A load, #6 would be a minimum size and #4 or larger will be better.

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JoeR
Silver Member

Reged: 09/11/02
Posts: 207
Loc: St.Cloud, FL
Re: How Much Voltage Drop is Acceptable new [re: idaho04]
      09/09/04 07:13 PM
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To maintain less than a 5% drop and 20 amps, you would need #2 gauge wire. I considered the same exact situation about a month ago, but the cost of the wire and pipe would be over $2,000 dollars. It would be cheaper for me to have the power company put another meter on the pole and put in another 100amp service.



Try this website if you want to play with the numbers...

http://www.stanselectric.com/vdrop.html


Joe


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Pat
Veteran Member

Reged: 09/15/02
Posts: 4904
Loc: SouthCentral Oklahoma
Re: How Much Voltage Drop is Acceptable new [re: JoeR]
      09/14/04 08:17 AM
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You would save $$$ if you go with 240 volt loads. There are 240 volt fluorescents and pumps. The required wire would be way cheaper.

Maybe one of the electrical pros would comment on leaving out the neutral which is only used for 120 VAC not 240. You would need one less wire and the two you still need are smaller.

Pat

"I'm not from your planet, monkey boy!"


Edited by Pat (09/14/04 08:19 AM)

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