Triple, I think you are right, we are closer in opinion on this then I first assumed. [Linked Image]

Here is the info we where given.

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Adding a 100 amp panel in a garage 175 ft from house what would be size to use for that long a run?

Sure it would be good to know if the panel is feeding a 100 watt lamp and a garage door opener, or a full machine shop, we don't.

Given that info, I will stand by 2 AWG, yes this could still be overkill or undersized, we do not know, but IMO based on the info given is what I would do.

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A larger wire provided by the electrician does not somehow act as a capacitor for an extra burst of energy when needed

Very true, on the flip side an undersized wire creates a restriction to the current available from the utility service. [Linked Image]

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Iwire, the ocp in that residential garage is not going to allow (code-wise) to be loaded beyond 80% so I still don't understand why using a calculation above that amount would ever make any sense.


Of course the panel can be loaded to 100%...non-contiuous.

If you do the calculations, the continuous loads on a 100 amp panel can be 80 amps, non-continuous loads can increase the load to 100 amps.

If this was not the case there would be no reason to figure non-continuous loads separately from continuous loads. [Linked Image]

Anyway it looks like we both want to provide a good job. [Linked Image]

Again, Just My Opinion, as voltage drop is not really a NEC issue that is all any of this discussion is. [Linked Image]

Bob



[This message has been edited by iwire (edited 02-29-2004).]

Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts