Electrical help needed!!!!!

[thirtyshort]

Ok I have to run 200 amps from the main power source out to where the growroom is. Only problem is that from point A to point B it's 50 yards. I've done runs as far as 40 ft. with 2/0 wire but never 50 yards. I know that the further you go the more current you lose but is there a formula for this? Is 2/0 wire enough to get the whole 200 amps out that far?

 

[I N Hail]

Maybe this well help.

 

[thirtyshort]

thanks bud!

 

[I N Hail]

Welcome

 

[Hydro-Soil]

Ok I have to run 200 amps from the main power source out to where the growroom is. Only problem is that from point A to point B it's 50 yards. I've done runs as far as 40 ft. with 2/0 wire but never 50 yards. I know that the further you go the more current you lose but is there a formula for this? Is 2/0 wire enough to get the whole 200 amps out that far?

I think you want to read this link here
It explains the whole further/thicker thingie you're talking about.

Edit: (clipped from the quoted link) 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.

 

[DonkDBZ]

200 amps 240v single phase is 3- 3/0 thhn copper conductors with #4copper ground in 2" conduit emt or pvc. Remember that is minimum suggested by the National Electric Code. They assume a 80% load. In the case of wireing you can never go wrong with oversizing your conductors plus less voltage drop.

 

[sparkjumper]

Generally speaking in the field an electrician will go up one wire size per 100 ft run.Voltage drop really isnt a problem and upsizing isnt necessary with a run less than 100 ft.You are talking a 150 ft run

 

[cocktail frank]

please don't use the chat hydro-soil posted.
biggest crock of shit i ever saw, even tho he copied and pasted the link.
those wire sizes arent remotely close to what is needed.
only way those #'s would work is either: free air wires (utility lines) or in parallel runs (2 or more of the same wires run together for the same legs)

200a run in Cu at MINIMUM should be NO smaller than 3/0 or Al 4/0
like sparkjumper said, general rule of thumb would be to derate the wire one size per 100'
so, to accomodate your 200a breaker, your wire size at 150' should be 4/0 Cu or 250 kcmil Al.
you will need a 4 wire run
anything after the 1st means of disconnect (main breaker) requires a seperate neutral and ground bar.
2 hots
1 neutral
1 ground (4 awg)

i really hate when people give shoddy advice when it comes to electrical and its safety.
FYI, if you dont know what your talking about, keep your fucking mouths shut!!!!!

 

[thirtyshort]

Hydro-soil thanks for the help. I keep reading comments like "well if you're thinking of going this big you should already know this/that" and that is not always the case. Not everyone here is a master in all the trades that pulling off a big grow requires (Electrical, HVAC, Plumbing, Framing etc.). By starting small and asking a lot of questions I've learned A LOT but still I can't sit here and claim to be a master electrician. I can easily setup a 14 light sealed room in 2 car garage doing all of the a/c work including the installation, welding, charging, checking for and fixing leaks. I can do all of the electrical including building my own electrical board, wiring up my ballast kits and fudging the power!!!!!!!!! eeeek!!!!! I know everyone here frowns on that lol!!!!!!!!!!! However in all my expierence I've never had to do a 150 ft run to get power into the growroom and that's why I'm asking. Just because you have to ask a question doesn't mean you shouldn't be considering a grow this big.

 

[sparkjumper]

Man if by fudging you mean stealing I can't decide which is stupider.The theft or the fact you'd tell us.I wont help an electricity thief man and I hope most feel the same way.I know CF does so that means you've lost two good electricians.If I misunderstood I apologise but it seems pretty clear.By the way I'd go way further than frown upon it if possible.

 

[thirtyshort]

Word.Is it proper for a 50 year old man to say word?

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sparkjumper]

Haha I deleted that it was meant for CF but after reading my friend here is a thief I felt like saying something not quite as lighthearted..

 

[thirtyshort]

I'd go way further than frown upon it if possible.

And it seems pretty clear that u're saying u'd rat. So which is worse the person who is just going the extra step to conceal the op (everyone here tries as hard as possible to conceal their op) or the person who'd rat on the op?

 

[sparkjumper]

No I wouldn't tell because my conscience wouldn't allow it,but when you went down I would smile.There are far too many of you fuckers in my state,and each time one of you goes down all of society thinks growers are thieves.

 

[cocktail frank]

you plan on stealing 200a of power?
for the record, stealing power gets you caught almost all the time.
pay the bill, its easier that way.
the power company will notice they are pushing out more power than being charged for.
they can see what section of the grid they are losing $$ on and start an investigation.
they WILL narrow it down to your op and figure it out without even going inside.
you WILL get busted stealing.

 

[thirtyshort]

No I wouldn't tell because my conscience wouldn't allow it,but when you went down I would smile.There are far too many of you fuckers in my state,and each time one of you goes down all of society thinks growers are thieves.

Society also thinks weed is going to get your kids hooked on heroin. I for one couldn't care any less what society thinks. Point is this thread was/is about the wire size needed. I got the answers I needed. If you want to debate utilities theft start you own thread. Btw the fact that you would smile at another fellow grower being busted is just shameful. Tisk tisk brother! I never have nor will I ever smile about someone being busted.

To those of you who responded with help and advice thanks, you too sparkjumper.

I'm not here to argue with anyone so mad respect to you jumper and even though we don't see eye to eye on the use of stolen power to conceal ops I respect your opinions.

 

[sparkjumper]

Sure man and don't forget 2/0 is fine for that run.

 

[sparkjumper]

Sorry man I cant stand stealing.I have thieves in my family.And electrical thieves have directly affected my gig.So many dumbasses got busted down here stealing elec and growing that they started the growhouse eradication act.Now I cant do a perpetual grow without risking a 2nd degree felony and a 15 yr sentence.I have to keep it under 24 plants with almost 5 fuckin K!So yea between my brother pinching my stash and dumbass greedy growers that have to steal I have a thing about it

 

[yamaha_1fan]

SparkJumper, Cocktail Frank, can you explain EXACTLY how the electric company finds stolen electric?

I ask because I have another op starting and the 2 partners really want to steal electric. I am the only one with growing experience and basically told them "tap the power, learn how to grow, I am out". The want for stealing is not the $ but the high bill. I personally feel the bill is appropiate for the type of location.

Can you tell me exactly how they trace the stolen electric back so I can pass it on? I really need to give them a clear cut explanation. I have explained to them it seems like bust after bust starts with stolen electric

If you want, shoot me a PM

 

[sparkjumper]

In many cases down here its the utility worker that catches the theft when reading the meter.You have 2 kinds of services the overhead which everyone is familiar with and the service lateral,where the feeders come from underground.You are going to have to tap somewhere before the meter in either case.And in either case its just a bad idea,especially if they are not really out of line with the juice.I have a small 3 bedroom,I mean small lol 900 sq ft and I have no problem running close to 5K at times.Its not like I'm stealing it or something lol.I dont know what people are thinking.Maybe there is some little fat bald guy sitting in a cubicle checking out all our electric bills lol.....