Maximum size of conductors, cables and cords

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Jpflex

Jpflex

Electrician big leagues
Location
Victorville
Occupation
Electrician commercial and residential
The NEC book has tables with sized of conductors. Two of such are as follows: standard insulated wire ending at 2000 KC MILS.

And SOOW cord the boss wants to run 100 amperes on. The NEC table stops at number 2 AWG for SOOW with a max ampacity of 95 amperes before adjustments. Before considering special made to order possibilities, the boss says SOOW comes in sizes higher than 2 AWG. However, NEC does not list this as a possibility.

Is SOOW Cord often sold or readily available larger than #2 AWG?
 
Jpflex said:
Is SOOW Cord often sold or readily available larger than #2 AWG?
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Above that point it becomes Type W cable.
The cable manufactures and trade associations have some good resources on the cable insulation types and what is meant by all those letters, like SOOW.
 
As I recall you are working at a mining facility.
Unsure of your application but keep in mind certain mining cables and requirements are specific to mines (and not covered by the NEC)
atielectrical.com

Mining Cable Basics

Mining cable is a generic term that describes cable used for distributing power to equipment in mining tunnels, large shovels and drills. It is specifically designed to hold up to the harsh environments found in coal, industrial and precious metal mines including being dragged over rocks, strung...
atielectrical.com atielectrical.com
At mines, you are in a whole different world so input from this forum might not be relevant.
 
augie47 said:
As I recall you are working at a mining facility.
Unsure of your application but keep in mind certain mining cables and requirements are specific to mines (and not covered by the NEC)
atielectrical.com

Mining Cable Basics

Mining cable is a generic term that describes cable used for distributing power to equipment in mining tunnels, large shovels and drills. It is specifically designed to hold up to the harsh environments found in coal, industrial and precious metal mines including being dragged over rocks, strung...
atielectrical.com atielectrical.com
At mines, you are in a whole different world so input from this forum might not be relevant.
Click to expand...


However the size of maximum SOOW seems simple enough for this forum
 
jim dungar said:
Above that point it becomes Type W cable.
The cable manufactures and trade associations have some good resources on the cable insulation types and what is meant by all those letters, like SOOW.
Click to expand...

So then my boss yelling at me that he has SOOW cord larger than 2 AWG is bs?
 
augiethere47 said:
As I recall you are working at a mining facility.
Unsure of your application but keep in mind certain mining cables and requirements are specific to mines (and not covered by the NEC)
atielectrical.com

Mining Cable Basics

Mining cable is a generic term that describes cable used for distributing power to equipment in mining tunnels, large shovels and drills. It is specifically designed to hold up to the harsh environments found in coal, industrial and precious metal mines including being dragged over rocks, strung...
atielectrical.com atielectrical.com
At mines, you are in a whole different world so input from this forum might not be relevant.
Click to expand...

There is residential and commercial work being done here. Although not under NEC jurisdiction I still follow NEC as close as practical for safety reasons
 
The spoil it came on is labeled SOOW as it’s titled in NEC table for flexible cords
 
Jpflex said:
The spoil it came on is labeled SOOW as it’s titled in NEC table for flexible cords
Click to expand...
Your OP simply asked if it was common, not if it was made at all.
My experience is it isn't as common as other types like W.
 
jim dungar said:
Your OP simply asked if it was common, not if it was made at all.
My experience is it isn't as common as other types like W.
Click to expand...


This is because if I just ask if it exist the answer is most likely yes for special custom order only but I’m asking what is typically available at supply stores Such as Home Depot etc
 
augie47 said:
As I recall you are working at a mining facility.
Unsure of your application but keep in mind certain mining cables and requirements are specific to mines (and not covered by the NEC)
atielectrical.com

Mining Cable Basics

Mining cable is a generic term that describes cable used for distributing power to equipment in mining tunnels, large shovels and drills. It is specifically designed to hold up to the harsh environments found in coal, industrial and precious metal mines including being dragged over rocks, strung...
atielectrical.com atielectrical.com
At mines, you are in a whole different world so input from this forum might not be relevant.
Click to expand...

True but my end goal is to become a licensed journeyman electrician. So I work along with my nec book and ask questions here.
 
readydave8 said:
Yes I realize, thought it was silly to think HD would have
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If I was responsible for ordering parts and supplies, yes it would be silly. As a worker under a c10 contractor these things are done by the bosses and I don’t deal with these things
 
roger said:
Is this going to be a permanent installation?
Click to expand...

Yes indeed but I was thinking of using tw or THHW in outside emt but with water tight connections maybe this is unnecessary

The SOOW although not nec legal the boss wants to direct burry as a feeder from main to sub panel feeding a connex shipping containers into rooms
 
Jpflex said:
W

What is post #6?

You do understand I have a boss too?
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You keep saying you want to learn the NEC and go by it, yet you continue to work for someone who isn't going to follow it. Why do you bother to ask what the code says when you're boss isn't going to abide? I would think you would go somewhere to work where you can learn and also do it correctly and to code.
 
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