About Bob Thompson Expertise Answers to most electrical questions or problems. Answers will be code related and not necessarily correct in your jurisdiction. Master Electrician, former business owner, member of several professional organizations. I also have a little plumbing and mechanical knowledge, but I may be of little help in this area.
Experience Master Electrician, previous business owner, over 30 years experience, certified electrical, plumbing and mechanical inspector.
Question Looking to install a 60 amp subpanel 40' away from the main panel to power a small walk in refrig, outlets and possibly in the future a whole house air conditioner.
I understand there's a type of wire called SED or SER. It's like a romex but it has a braided sheath around the two conductors that you use for the ground. I understand they need to be twisted together and put into the ground lug.
I was told I need #4 wire for the 60 amp service. I need to put a 60m amp breaker in the existing panel, run the SED or SER to the sub panel, connect to the panel and install the breakers that you want. I need 220 line which is the two poll or 2 - 120 lines to the refrig. and a ground. And the 120 line would be another breaker by itself. I also need to run an additional ground wire to the nearest water pipe from your new sub panel.
Questions:
Do I need to run the line from the main in the garage to the subpanel in Metal or PVC conduit or can I run it exposed? The SED and SER have straps to attach to studs and drywall. It will follow the same pathas the data and cable tv wire. Could the 220V cause interference?
Do I need to run #4 wire or can I go down in size?
I also need to run 60' from the basement subpanel to the refrigerator.
Refrig needs 220v - 20 amp and 120v - 10 amp circuit?
I was told:
#12 wire IS GOOD FOR 20 AMPS
#10 for 30
#8 for 40
#6 for 50
#4 for 60
Is this your experience for this distance?
Thank you,
Stephen
Answer #6 wire is the largest that you'd need, but you need a three conductor cable with ground. You need to extend your ground wire from your main service panel, and keep the neutral and ground isolated from one another at the subpanel. Three wires becausyou need two hots and one neutral (the fourth wire will be the ground). Don't run another wire from the subpanel to your water pipe. Also, your wire can be run exposed, if it's not subject to physical (mechanical) damage. Otherwise sleeve it, run it alongside batten boards for protection, or over eight feet off of the ground.
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