wiring between Junction boxes

[lady sparks lover]

I have a question..

I'm installing conduit and wiring underground (PVC) to a weatherproof duplex receptacle. There are number of 90 degree turns, so I need a few junction boxes.

Question, since the length between the the first junction box and electrical panel is about 175 feet, and then that one and the duplex is over 400 feet. Should I install all the same size (#4)wires from the the panel to the duplex or can I make the wires closer to the panel smaller, eg. #8s. Please help.....

p.s. the wires are sized for voltage drop

[ April 25, 2003, 04:02 PM: Message edited by: lady sparks lover ]

 

[roger deas]

Re: wiring between Junction boxes

Patty, this is a perfectly fine way to do this.
You could start with #12 and go a set distance then use this known resistance in the overall VD calculation of the circuit, and remaining conductor sizes

Roger

[ April 25, 2003, 04:10 PM: Message edited by: roger deas ]

 

[bennie]

Re: wiring between Junction boxes

Roger: Would you start with small wire or largest?

 

[roger]

Re: wiring between Junction boxes

Bennie, preferably I would start and end with small wire. Since Patty will have to put pull boxes in this run anyway, if it were me, I would place these where I could start and end with #12 and use larger wire in between. Of course with some consideration this would probably save money also.

Roger

 

[hurk27]

Re: wiring between Junction boxes

If a long run were to call for lets say #4 then installing #12 at shorter runs would require the #4 to be up sized again wouldn't it?

I mean if this run was caculated for #4 to meet the voltage drop then installing a smaller conductor in line with it would increase the voltage drop unless there was enough head room to allow for more.