#6 NM-cable

[Sierrasparky]

I was wondering. Can you place a 60 amp breaker on #6 NM wire. using the next higher standard breaker size.
of course providing that there are no other derating , bundling or other issues.


Based on the 2011 NEC

 

[iwire]

:thumbsup:

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Also the calculated load must be 55 amps or less. I have seen many supplemental heat units where the load is 56 or 57 amps.. I hate it because it then requires a #4.:thumbsdown:

 

[augie47]

Also the calculated load must be 55 amps or less. I have seen many supplemental heat units where the load is 56 or 57 amps.. I hate it because it then requires a #4.:thumbsdown:

There is seldom a month that goes by that at least one HVAC contractor here does not have to change out his #6 NM to a #4. It seems a majority of the air handlers with 10kw heat now exceed 55 MCA.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

There is seldom a month that goes by that at least one HVAC contractor here does not have to change out his #6 NM to a #4. It seems a majority of the air handlers with 10kw heat now exceed 55 MCA.

I don't know why the manufacturers did that. It is a PITA. All they have to do is lower the heat strip a tad. I think what happened was they increased the fans on the units-- that's my guess.

 

[iwire]

Yeah, manufacturers should design their products around electricians expectations.


:lol::lol::lol:

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Yeah, manufacturers should design their products around electricians expectations.


:lol::lol::lol:

Sarcasm I know but yeah to some degree it would be good if they looked at the install process and the cost. It could make a contractor look for another brand that would work with the existing cable-- which means they can lose a sale.

In the past a 10 kw unit was always able to utilize a 6/2 nm cable. Then they throw a bit more power to it and makes it non compliant by a few amps. Certainly they could make this work without causing more expense to the home owner. Not sure why they upsized it.

 

[iwire]

It's a conspiracy I tell you. Between these heat manufactures and those hot tub makers that require large EGCs. What's an experienced electrician expected to do?

Read the directions?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

It's a conspiracy I tell you. Between these heat manufactures and those hot tub makers that require large EGCs. What's an experienced electrician expected to do?

Read the directions?

I agree. It is a conspiracy to make me rich with all this extra work. I hate it.

 

[PetrosA]

Yeah, manufacturers should design their products around electricians expectations.


:lol::lol::lol:

I don't think it's an unreasonable expectation. If you know that 99.7% of the camels people use can carry 10,000 pieces of straw, you don't design a camel cargo carrier that fits 10,001 pieces of straw, forcing people to buy bigger camels. It's just plain stupid industrial design. I expect there'd be a similar reaction if they started selling clothes dryers that needed a 40A circuit as well.

 

[MasterTheNEC]

UGH..too early in the morning for me to read about Conspiracy Theories...lol...

 

[iwire]

I don't think it's an unreasonable expectation. If you know that 99.7% of the camels people use can carry 10,000 pieces of straw, you don't design a camel cargo carrier that fits 10,001 pieces of straw, forcing people to buy bigger camels. It's just plain stupid industrial design. I expect there'd be a similar reaction if they started selling clothes dryers that needed a 40A circuit as well.

Well I think this is clearly a case of electricians feeling they are the center of the universe.


Designer : We can make out product better for the user. It will have higher energy efficiency.

Boss: But how will that effect electricians?

Designer: Well there will be a bit of added cost and the electrician will need to pay attention. But the cost savings over the life of the unit will be significant.

Boss : No, forget it. We don't want to force electricians to think.

 

[PetrosA]

Well I think this is clearly a case of electricians feeling they are the center of the universe.


Designer : We can make out product better for the user. It will have higher energy efficiency.

Boss: But how will that effect electricians?

Designer: Well there will be a bit of added cost and the electrician will need to pay attention. But the cost savings over the life of the unit will be significant.

Boss : No, forget it. We don't want to force electricians to think.

If you can show me one product that heats anything using an electric element and which exhibits higher efficiency when you make it bigger by a few hundred watts, I'll buy you a beer.

Hint: There is not ONE electric dryer that uses hot air with an Energy Star rating.

 

[Sierrasparky]

:thumbsup:

Thanks, I was told by a fellow contractor I could not.

 

[iwire]

Thanks, I was told by a fellow contractor I could not.

There might be some circumstances where you could not but in general yes.