What size wire?
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What size wire?
Hello: Newbie to site and have some knowledge in electrical work. I live in Clay county Florida. I am trying to install a gate opener in front of the house which is 320 ft from the nearest source of electricity (garage). My question is:
What size wire do I need to use to install an outlet to the gate (320 feet away) in order to avoid or at least minimize a drop in voltage?
Do I need to use a UF-B wire if I am using conduit or would NM-B wire do and how deep should it be buried under ground?
Thanks in advance for the advice.
What size wire do I need to use to install an outlet to the gate (320 feet away) in order to avoid or at least minimize a drop in voltage?
Do I need to use a UF-B wire if I am using conduit or would NM-B wire do and how deep should it be buried under ground?
Thanks in advance for the advice.
#2
How many amps does the opener need?
UF is a pain to pull in conduit. Better to use individual THWN conductors in conduit. NM cannot be used outside.
UF is a pain to pull in conduit. Better to use individual THWN conductors in conduit. NM cannot be used outside.
#3
In addition, if you plan on conduit, you can probably buy 10 gauge THWN in 500' reels as cheaply as you can the UF. You'll need Black/white/green, so 3 rolls at about $65 per roll depending on location.
#4
Do I need to use a UF-B wire if I am using conduit
would NM-B wire do
and how deep should it be buried under ground
But do you need to run a line? Most gates are operated by a 12v battery. The AC is only to run a charger. There are solar panel chargers for gates which will do the same. No AC required. Might be cheaper/easier.
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The opener just needs a low voltage transformer to charge a 12 volt battery which is the main source of power for the gate opener.
Do you all think a 10 gauge THWN is enough to minimize the drop in voltage due to the length of the wire?
Do you all think a 10 gauge THWN is enough to minimize the drop in voltage due to the length of the wire?
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Ray: You are right. The opener kit comes with a solar panel to charge to battery but I also plan to power a couple of lamps and perhaps low voltage LED lights in the future.
#13
THWN is for wet conditions. THHN for inside use but the point is mostly moot because almost all wire is dual rated THHN/THWN. BigBox stores often incorrectly call dual rated wire THHN in their ads so you just need to check what is printed on the wire.
Have you determined a solar panel isn't for you?
Have you determined a solar panel isn't for you?
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I am going to hook it to solar panel first but the area does not get much sun so I need the reassurance of having AC charger available in case the battery dies due to lack of sunlight. Plus, I also plan to power a couple of lamps and LED lights.
#20
No THHN/THWN #10 is individual wires. Easier to pull in conduit. You'll need a hot, neutral and ground. Southwire 500 ft. 10 Green Stranded CU THHN Wire-22977357 - The Home Depot