I agree with you Tony. I ran a new 240 VAC circuit for my Alpha which
specifies 20A. I used 10 AWG for the run to ensure least voltage drop over
the 100 foot path from the mains panel and put it on a 30A breaker. I think
the difference in cost from 14 AWG wire and 20A breaker was less than $5.
This was back in 1995, so the cost difference is likely a bit higher now
with increased cost of copper.
73, Keith NM5G
-----Original Message-----
From: amps-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:amps-bounces@contesting.com] On
Behalf Of Tony King - W4ZT
Sent: Tuesday, October 18, 2005 10:47 PM
To: amps@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [Amps] AC wiring
Technically speaking you're right about not exceeding the 15 amp rating
placed on the wire and breaker but since you're less than 15% from the
maximum rating, I wouldn't even consider it. The rating is considered a
maximum, not the current you want to run the thing at. As I stated in my
earlier post, the cost of the wire isn't anything compared to the cost of
the amp and the rest of your station. If you have no other choice and your
entire house is already wired with #14, including your 240 outlet in the
shack, do what you gotta do, but that's not what I'd do. If you're pulling
wire for a new circuit, pull something bigger than what you think you will
need. I prefer the safe practical approach to running things rather than
pushing them to their limits. After all, the discussion was pushing IR drop
and when you're trying to prevent that, bigger is better. Thanks for your
comments.
73, Tony W4ZT
Bill Coleman wrote:
>
> On Oct 15, 2005, at 10:22 AM, Tony King - W4ZT wrote:
>
>> Now let's try 240 volts
>> which would give us 2944/240=12.3 amps. If your line voltage is low
>> and you have 220 volts the current would be 2944/220=13.4 amps. From
>> this example it is obvious you can't run a full legal limit amp on
>> even a 20 amp, #12 wire, 120 volt circuit much less any 120/240
>> volt, 15 amp #14 wire circuit.
>
>
> Seems to me that 12.3 A and 13.4 A are both less than 15 A. So a #14
> circuit seems adequate for your example.
>
> Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr@arrl.net
> Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
> -- Wilbur Wright, 1901
>
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