Cannabis Fact Contributed by:
Moshmont
Cannabis Tip Submitted: 18-05-2010
Useful info:
# = American Wire Gauge (AWG), the lower the number the
larger the wire guage.
"service cable" is large insulated stranded copper cable
(usually refers to single #4 wire and up).
Most house hold circuits (Typically 15 - 30 amp) can
safely handle 95% to 100% of it's max rating - but only
for an hour or so at a time. Loads that require long
periods of 'on' time (like an air propertyer, ballasts,
etc) should not exceed 80% to 85% of the max rated load
of the wire/cable. The known safe capacity that the
National Electric Code (NEC) recommends at 100%, is
actually 80% of load.
99.9% of the time when you get into "insulated" #8 and
bigger wire, it's most likely going to be stranded (just
like it's big sister "service cable"). You can usually
get your basic sheathed xx/2 and xx/3 cable up to 6
guage. If you need larger than #8 or #6 though, you will
have to buy service or "service type" cable. This can
cause two problems. One: very high cost on long runs.
Two: the cable might not fit the appropriately-sized
breaker on a long run. This is why it's wise to opt for
putting your ballast on 240V when 2400+ watts of light
power is needed on a single circuit.
#4 and above = Cable
1/0 and 2/0 are service cable
120V (US) (@ 80% max load)
(50ft run or less)
|
Gauge
|
Amps
|
Watts
|
|
#16
|
9
|
1080
|
|
#14
|
12
|
1440
|
|
#12
|
16
|
1920
|
|
#10
|
24
|
2880
|
|
#8
|
32
|
3840
|
|
#6
|
40
|
4800
|
|
#4
|
48
|
5760
|
240V (US) (@ 80% max load)
(50ft run or less)
|
Gauge
|
Amps
|
Watts
|
|
#16
|
9
|
2160
|
|
#14
|
12
|
2880
|
|
#12
|
16
|
3840
|
|
#10
|
24
|
5760
|
|
#8
|
32
|
7680
|
|
#6
|
40
|
9600
|
|
#4
|
48
|
11520
|
Run Length
|
Amps
|
100'
|
150'
|
150' - 200'
|
200'- 250'
|
250'
|
250' - 300'
|
300'
|
300' - 400'
|
400'
|
400'-500'
|
500'
|
|
12
|
#12
|
#10
|
|
#8
|
|
|
#6
|
|
|
#4
|
|
|
16
|
#10
|
#8
|
|
#6
|
|
|
|
#4
|
|
#2
|
|
|
24
|
#8
|
|
#6
|
|
|
#4
|
|
|
|
#2
|
|
|
32
|
#6
|
|
#4
|
|
|
#2
|
|
|
#1
|
#1/0
|
|
|
40
|
#6
|
|
#4
|
|
#2
|
|
#1
|
|
#1/0
|
|
#2/0
|
Note:
For every extra 50 feet of cable/wire up to #8 normally
you upgrade to the next size, consult you local codes if
your unsure about double and triple length runs.
Ex: #6 is sometimes mandatory for a 200 foot 12 amp run
but can be used up to 300 feet on a 12 amp circuit.
Note:
Each time an additional plug is used in line of the run
using 80% safe load, subtract an additional 2% from the
over all power usage (80% to 78%).
Ex: One plug into the wall counts as your one 'free'
plug.
WARNING: extension cords ARE included into the total
length from breaker box (+25 feet and one gauge up), if
intended for continuous use at said MAX safe power
usage.
In addition, you need to make sure you getting what is
actually equal to said gauge (if your making you own cord
from something like SJO cable).
Recently, I have found that some places go by size and
not current. A 12 gauge standard wire is actually the
size of 10 gauge solid. This is to make up for it not
being a solid connector. Bring something with you to
compare wire size with what's printed/stamped on the
sheeting. It should be one gauge bigger in size than
what's on the sheeting.
Ex: If you have a 1000W light and are using a 12 amp
circuit, you should use a 15amp #12 extension cord no
longer than 25 feet.
This info isn't complete and probably doesn't apply to
many, cuz if your thinking this big you should already
have a general understanding of codes and loads.
#4 (approx 65-75A each) used for 100-115 amp
service
#2 (approx 90A each) used for 125-150 amp service
#1/0 (approx 150A each) used for 200 amp service
#2/0 (approx 175A each) typically for industrial or vary
long run with a large load. 300-350 amp service
#0/3 (approx 200A each) typically for industrial or vary
long run with a large load. 400 amp service
service cable is specifically designed for extra service
lines and or extra long (In structure or over-head) runs.
1/0 Gauge I believe is the only service cable (or cable)
sold connected as x/3 (retail), provides a path fore both
hots, the neutral and ground.
