Paralleling conductors for voltage drop only.

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11bgrunt

11bgrunt

Pragmatist
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TEXAS
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Electric Utility Reliability Coordinator
My buddy calls and is talking about his new pool. Pool guy will let him provide the service to the pool. It is 155' from his service entrance and only 40 amps is required. He owns a six conductor, 6AWG cu. SO/SOOW cable that he wants to use. So far I don't have a problem but considering VD, would paralleling the 240 and neutral and adding a separate EGC be a terrible idea? Conductors are smaller than 1/0 but not being paralleled for ampacity. I am thinking about what will fit where? Neutral buss won't be a problem but the hot pairs might need to be turned into a single conductor to fit in the chosen breaker. I imagine this cable will be buried in a plastic conduit. So now I am thinking about derating the single conductors. I have not looked at one NEC table before I started this thread. I am almost willing to provide what he needs and trade for that cable just to have on hand.

Paralleling conductors discussed in an earlier thread;

http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=175353&highlight=Paralleling+cond uctors

 
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I think, based on the referenced post, he will have a difficult time convincing an inspector he can parallel the conductors not to mention potential 400.8(1) problems
 
I had a proposal that would have permitted parallel conductors smaller than 1/0 for applications like that but it was rejected. There is no technical reason why you can't parallel conductors smaller than 1/0 where the rating of the OCPD does not exceed the ampacity of a single conductor in the parallel set....just a code reason why you can't do that.
 
Considering the recent huge fire in CA from a supposedly improperly wired hot tub, this is probably not the time to be skirting NEC rules on wiring anything related to a body of water one might want to use.

ActionDave wrote it best. Just, no. I'd further surmise that anyone suggesting such a wiring method knows zip about equipotential bonding, or any of the other numerous codes that go into making your pool a safe summer fun-thing vs a potential deathtrap. Article 680 installs are not for DIY'ers or buddies with extra wire 'that would work'. I dont mean to come across as offensive but imo this is not an area where one can entertain a diy/less-than-professional installation.

That said, 40A 240V service requires only #8 conductors, and #6 would be fine for VD due to distance. Just not SOOW cord. If it's conduit from panel to pool, pull #6 THWN. It's not that expensive, especially considering the liability of intentionally miswiring a pool could be.
 
JFletcher said:
Considering the recent huge fire in CA from a supposedly improperly wired hot tub, this is probably not the time to be skirting NEC rules on wiring anything related to a body of water one might want to use.

ActionDave wrote it best. Just, no. I'd further surmise that anyone suggesting such a wiring method knows zip about equipotential bonding, or any of the other numerous codes that go into making your pool a safe summer fun-thing vs a potential deathtrap. Article 680 installs are not for DIY'ers or buddies with extra wire 'that would work'. I dont mean to come across as offensive but imo this is not an area where one can entertain a diy/less-than-professional installation.

That said, 40A 240V service requires only #8 conductors, and #6 would be fine for VD due to distance. Just not SOOW cord. If it's conduit from panel to pool, pull #6 THWN. It's not that expensive, especially considering the liability of intentionally miswiring a pool could be.
Click to expand...
:thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
I was over at their shop recently. Never was a SO cable. It was marked on the sheath PVC/Nylon, a shielded cable used on telecom towers. Six conductors all marked THHN.
Never a doubt that four wire is required. His part was to supply a service to the pool electrician only, if he wanted to reduce his cost.
 
11bgrunt said:
I was over at their shop recently. Never was a SO cable. It was marked on the sheath PVC/Nylon, a shielded cable used on telecom towers. Six conductors all marked THHN.
Never a doubt that four wire is required. His part was to supply a service to the pool electrician only, if he wanted to reduce his cost.
Click to expand...
Still may not be a cable type that is permitted for NEC installations.
 
11bgrunt said:
I was over at their shop recently. Never was a SO cable. It was marked on the sheath PVC/Nylon, a shielded cable used on telecom towers. Six conductors all marked THHN.
Never a doubt that four wire is required. His part was to supply a service to the pool electrician only, if he wanted to reduce his cost.
Click to expand...

This drives our company crazy!!
People installing a new pool, usually with a cage, pool heater, etc spending $20,000 Plus and want to save $200 by installing their own electric service to the equipment pad.

It never seems to be done correctly the first time and the permit we pull now is covering their work :happysad: so we need to correct it or have them correct it, spending more time and no one wants to pay for it (But they do!)

Its just a bad idea your spending crazy money on a swimming pool, just let it be a turn key job, and enjoy it when it's done.
 
11bgrunt said:
I was over at their shop recently. Never was a SO cable. It was marked on the sheath PVC/Nylon, a shielded cable used on telecom towers. Six conductors all marked THHN.
Never a doubt that four wire is required. His part was to supply a service to the pool electrician only, if he wanted to reduce his cost.
Click to expand...

THHN is not allowed underground.
 
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