12 wire for 220v

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There are still a lot of "old timers" out in the rural areas, that automatically think #10 for any 240 volt load. I come across so many submersible water pumps in wells with #10 wire and 30 amp breaker, even though it's only a 1/2 or 3/4 HP. The #10 is fine if their correcting voltage drop, but a lot of the time is not required.
 
add to the "old timers" (I am one)..the "big box" advisors..as jrannis stated in post 13: "You gotta use that 220 wire that the big box guy sells the HOs"
I've seen more than 1 person seeking to buy "220 wire" and they always know it's bigger than "110 wire"
 
xjfam said:
I had a customer who was building a garage, we installed a 12/2 for the air compressor that he specked on-line. When the inspector came for the rough-in, he said that I could not use 12 wire for 220v. Anyone have any answers why? I have asked around and everyone seems as confused as me. Can't seem to find anything in the code book.:-?
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Your not tellimg us everything. Name plate ,breaker size,distance, did you remark the white ? Very hard to believe he is turning down #12 wire because of voltage. Sure hate to start running #10 on my 277 volt lights
 
you need to be as nice as possible to the inspector but show him on the jacket of the wire that it is rated for up to 600v. And tell him what the FLA on the compressor is and that #12 is rated for the application by going to table 310:15
 
glene77is said:
Drbond,
I like the signature:
"Engineers are always honest in matters of technology and human relationships.
That's why it's a good idea to keep engineers away from
customers, romantic interests, and anyone else who can't handle the truth."
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Why thank you. I can't take credit for thinking it up since I copied it off of the internet, but I've found it to be true.



I agree with those that say this inspector must just think that '240 wire' should be bigger than '120 wire.' If that is the case, it concerns me that he is an inspector. :-?
 
I agree about things not making sense. When I finally got a hold of the inspector he said 12/2 was no good for 220. I asked why and the phone got cut off. I left 2 messages asking for him to explain himself and he never returned the calls. I had about 6 calls that were bumped to voice mail. Finally I had the home owner make a call, and they only said they wanted to see 10/2. They actually said orange wire not 10/2. There is no compressor there yet, but on line the spec was a 20 amp cir. Anyway, we ran the 10/2 and called it a day. I would still love to hear the reason why 12/2 was no good, but that will never happen.
Thanks for all the input.
 
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