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electrical cable spec 1

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looksatstars

Civil/Environmental
Jan 27, 2006
79
I need a spec for a tech (armored) cable.
It will run from the transformer and power 2 manufactured homes that need 220V- 100 amp service each.
We need tech cable because it is going to running along ground till spring.

any help would be appreciated.
 
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It is also about 70 metres (230ft) from the transformer to the two manufactured homes.
 
Maybe it's just me, but I don't care what kind of armor that cable has, I wouldn't want to see it snaking along the ground to my home carrying any appreciable current.

Dan - Owner
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your advise is noted. I should note that the line will only be energized for the walk thru and small repairs of the homes and then would be disconnected till spring break up.
It seems our codes here allow for the live line to be exposed as long as it is tech cable. I am looking at renting a generator as an alternative.
 
Try Googling "Teck Cable". You will need to know the service rating in amps for each service in order to size the conductors.

BTW, the term "Teck cable" is not used much outside of Canada.

Sounds like something a qualified electrician could sort out for you.
 
Hi macgyvers2000;
Teck cable is pretty rugged and resilient.
Teck is often the highest cost option. For temporary duty, I would size the cable based on the connected load rather than the 100 amp service. I would consider disconnecting electric stoves and or hot water heaters if feasible. Protect the cable with a breaker suitable for the cable size you decide on. Don't forget to check the voltage drop, it increases as the size of the cable is reduced.
Specs; The Canadian Electrical Code has a description of the
construction of teck cable. Usually TECK-90, you will want 3 conductor, which will have three equal current carrying conductors and a smaller bare ground conductor. If the ground is frozen you will also want Minus 40 degree rated teck, but that's pretty common in your area.
Teck-90 comes in both aluminum and copper construction.
Be sure to spec the material that you want. A couple of years ago, we needed about 500ft. of teck for a temporary service. We calculated loading and voltage drop and called the office. Our bean counter saved a lot of money by buying aluminum instead of copper. The lights sure dimmed when the big A/C started. Fortunately the installation was for a short time and did not require an inspection.
Another option may be to only power one home at a time. You may accidentally power both for the walk through, by mistake.
Good luck. I'm sunning in the tropics for another few weeks, but I will be back in the land of teck cable and frozen ground in time for breakup.


Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter
 
With the obscene price of copper these days it could well be cheaper to rent/buy a generator, that then has future utility for you, then running expensive temporary cable very far.

Keith Cress
Flamin Systems, Inc.-
 
Thanks Bill:
Thats what I needed. I just needed estimate of wire so I can get an estimate on total cost to see if it was in the budget to do this year. Things work kinda different here.

thanks for all the replies
 
looksatstars
As a wild guess, Are you singing the Hi-way 63 Blues on this one?
I though of suggesting overhead neutral-supported cable but then I thought of setting poles in the frozen ground.
Yours

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter
 
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