Electrical question 4 gauge wire

[patrickkawi37]

If you are running 240 you are pulling 120V from each leg. If your sub is good, but your wiring is insufficient, couldnt you run lower amperage breakers, but just do more of them since your not exceeding the subpanels max? More breakers, but less juice to each one? Then you can just add instead of unfucking everything your "electrician" did.

You have two legs into your subpanel, maybe your overloading one side. Remember thats 50 each leg, if you can move a breaker to the other leg "cooler wire". Turn the 100 amp off at your main GG.

They are both pretty warm. I think they are pretty even. So If I put a smaller breaker on the main panel where the 100 is won't it pop?

 

[patrickkawi37]

Also the subpannel is full. If I wanted to add more breakers I would have to get a new subpannel. It is only a 100 amp subpanel

 

[patrickkawi37]

Are you saying wire them into 2 breakers on the main panel?

 

[BuzzD2Kill]

Is the 100 amp breaker hot? Usually it will melt there first, Ive replaced alot of "loose" breakers that had one leg overheated. IMO go back, recalculate, and make better use of your power. GL

 

[BuzzD2Kill]

Are you saying wire them into 2 breakers on the main panel?

NO!!!

 

[BuzzD2Kill]

Leave the 100, just check if its hot. The weakest links will be your hottest points. Connections etc.

 

[patrickkawi37]

Leave the 100, just check if its hot. The weakest links will be your hottest points. Connections etc.

Ok lights don't turn on until night time I will go check in a few hours and let you know .thankyou

 

[churchhaze]

Why did he convert the a/c and lights to 240v? Makes no sense if its all coming from the same panel. Unless you live where 240v is native voltage. Regardless, 9000 watts is too much for 200FT of 4 guage. Dont let the amperage trick you, it means nothing without voltage.

Uh no.. The current running through the wire and the resistance of the wire is what determines the voltage across the length of wire. The more current through the wire length (resistor), the more voltage will be dropped across it. Having a higher wall voltage allows you to have less current through each circuit, which means less voltage drop across those lengths of wire. That in turn translates to less power lost through the wires.

 

[churchhaze]

If your wires are warm, you're risking a fire... Whoever installed that breaker put you and your family in serious risk of danger.

 

[panhead]

A 100A breaker is too large for that gauge wire, even if it was a short run, let alone a 100' run.

Shouldnt each leg be even or as close to even as possible , i was taught to make both legs even when putting breakers in the panel .

He's pulling double the amps on one leg & it makes me wonder if thats whats causing the heat .

 

[patrickkawi37]

If your wires are warm, you're risking a fire... Whoever installed that breaker put you and your family in serious risk of danger.

Do you think a dual 80 will work and be ok? I'm going to go touch and see if the 100'amp breaker is warm

 

[churchhaze]

Do you think a dual 80 will work and be ok? I'm going to go touch and see if the 100'amp breaker is warm

You should hire a competent electrician. I could answer, but I'd have someone who can show you paperwork that they are journyman or master electricians rather than take advice from someone online.

 

[patrickkawi37]

The breaker is not warm. 30 mins after lights on. The wire on the subpanel is kinda warm. I took a pic I will try and post here in 10 mins I got to put on laptop

 

[patrickkawi37]

this is it

 

[patrickkawi37]

You should hire a competent electrician. I could answer, but I'd have someone who can show you paperwork that they are journyman or master electricians rather than take advice from someone online.

are you serious or are you being an asshole because of the LED thing lol

 

[churchhaze]

Nope. I know to analyze circuits and design simple electronics, but this is a matter of knowing the code and regulations, which I know nothing about. The last guy you hired got insulted when you second guessed him, so how else can you be sure other than to have a licensed electrician look at it? If it was me, I'd just replace it with the next step fatter and assume that lowers the probability of fire. lol

 

[patrickkawi37]

Nope. I know to analyze circuits and design simple electronics, but this is a matter of knowing the code and regulations, which I know nothing about. The last guy you hired got insulted when you second guessed him, so how else can you be sure other than to have a licensed electrician look at it? If it was me, I'd just replace it with the next step fatter and assume that lowers the probability of fire. lol

Lol word I think I will go two sizes but I spent 700 on the wire im using now so I want to make sure that's what I have to do before spending a shitload for larger wire and an electrician

 

[churchhaze]

You could technically still use the wires you have for another circuit with a 75A circuit if you plan on expanding more.

 

[jijiandfarmgang]

I think your confusing yourself, because I'm confused.

The subpanel is rated for 100 amps max.......but it isn't wired for 100 amps.

The wire feeding the panel is on a 50 amp breaker. If your pulling more than 50 amps its supposed to trip.

Add up the wattage of the devices you use in general (pay no attention to the breakers in the subpanel for now)

As to whether that cable installation is rated for 50 amps, I'm pretty sure I have the answer but I'm not an electrician so I'm not going to say.

That subpanel is sloppy and a couple issues, but again Im not an electrician.

- Jiji

 

[patrickkawi37]

I think your confusing yourself, because I'm confused.

The subpanel is rated for 100 amps max.......but it isn't wired for 100 amps.

The wire feeding the panel is on a 50 amp breaker. If your pulling more than 50 amps its supposed to trip.

Add up the wattage of the devices you use in general (pay no attention to the breakers in the subpanel for now)

As to whether that cable installation is rated for 50 amps, I'm pretty sure I have the answer but I'm not an electrician so I'm not going to say.

That subpanel is sloppy and a couple issues, but again Im not an electrician.

- Jiji

Thankyou for the reply. Amps added is up would be 60 amps on 240v and 30 amps on 120 . That's everything turned on. The panel outside that wires to the subpanel has a dual trigger 100 amp breaker

Broken down its 40 ish amps for the lights on 240. 18 amps for the ACs on 240. 16 amps dehumidifier , 10 amps inline fans 5 amps wall fans pumps extra stuff.