Using #12 XHHW


  #1  
Old 03-19-17, 10:22 AM
A
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Indiana
Posts: 27
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Using #12 XHHW

got a 15 amp 2 pole breaker in a 100 amp sub panel in garage, would using 2 to 3 foot of #12 XHHW to feed 3.7 hp air compressor be good enough? and yes i know its a buriable cable but i got like 6 foot of it laying around.

Thanks,
Todd.
 
  #2  
Old 03-19-17, 10:29 AM
chandler's Avatar
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 36,607
Upvotes: 0
Received 9 Upvotes on 8 Posts
What is the amperage of the compressor? Is it 120 volts or 240 volts? Being a buriable cable isn't a problem. It is the size of the circuit protection versus the draw of the compressor that must be challenged.
 
  #3  
Old 03-19-17, 10:44 AM
P
Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: United States, Virginia
Posts: 1,705
Received 273 Upvotes on 230 Posts
If it is all black then you can use it for the one or two hot conductors. You are not to remark the color on wire #6 or smaller. Neutral needs to be white or gray, ground needs to be green, green with yellow stripe or bare. The XHHW will need to be in conduit.
 
  #4  
Old 03-19-17, 11:54 AM
A
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Indiana
Posts: 27
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
3 wire cable Red, black, green and bare are the colors. it a buried cable as it says on outer caseing so why would it need to be in conduit?
 
  #5  
Old 03-19-17, 11:59 AM
chandler's Avatar
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 36,607
Upvotes: 0
Received 9 Upvotes on 8 Posts
If it is a 3 wire cable, why are there 4 colors? What about the other questions? Where are you running the cable?
 
  #6  
Old 03-19-17, 11:59 AM
A
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Indiana
Posts: 27
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Do not have the amperage of compressor in front of me. its 240V using a 15A 2 pole breaker. boils down to i have this cable VS having to buy 13/3 wiring.
 
  #7  
Old 03-19-17, 12:10 PM
pcboss's Avatar
Forum Topic Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Maryland
Posts: 13,976
Received 194 Upvotes on 170 Posts
Individual conductors are meant to be installed in conduit.
 
  #8  
Old 03-19-17, 12:17 PM
T
Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 295
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
The confusion comes from XHHW is very odd to find in #12 in a cable - the presence of a green and bare with no white is even more peculiar.. In smaller gauges, XHHW is usually sold as individual conductors, therefore needs to go in a conduit. Are you positive it says XHHW?

Can you post a pic of it?
 
  #9  
Old 03-19-17, 12:51 PM
P
Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: United States, Virginia
Posts: 1,705
Received 273 Upvotes on 230 Posts
The confusion comes from XHHW is very odd to find in #12 in a cable - the presence of a green and bare with no white is even more peculiar.. In smaller gauges, XHHW is usually sold as individual conductors, therefore needs to go in a conduit. Are you positive it says XHHW?
That is exactly why I posted the need to be in conduit. So I'm confused as what kind of cable it could be.
 
  #10  
Old 03-19-17, 05:55 PM
A
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Indiana
Posts: 27
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
cable pics

it also says buried cable on it.
 
Attached Images   
  #11  
Old 03-19-17, 05:59 PM
A
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Indiana
Posts: 27
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
not individual conductors 3 wire red black green and bare copper with outer casing. im just reading what is stamp on outter casing
 
  #12  
Old 03-19-17, 06:04 PM
pcboss's Avatar
Forum Topic Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Maryland
Posts: 13,976
Received 194 Upvotes on 170 Posts
Some direct burial cable is not for use inside. It does not have the flame retardant covering needed for use inside.
 
  #13  
Old 03-19-17, 06:12 PM
A
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Indiana
Posts: 27
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Name:  0319172104_HDR-2.jpg
Views: 253
Size:  28.2 KBit will be going from sub panel to air compressor.
 
  #14  
Old 03-19-17, 06:29 PM
chandler's Avatar
Banned. Rule And/Or Policy Violation
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: USA
Posts: 36,607
Upvotes: 0
Received 9 Upvotes on 8 Posts
Nassau does make a 3 wire cable like that 12/3 XHHW Tray Cable - COPPER123-XHHW | Nassau National Cable

With all the back and forth we have done, how far is the compressor location from the panel? Will this cable be inside a potential wall (ie, through studs)?
 
  #15  
Old 03-19-17, 06:29 PM
T
Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 295
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
I don't know if it's just the perspective of the pictures, but that looks far larger than #12. It looks easily like #10, possibly #8.

I have never seen a red/black/green/bare cable either. It must be for some specialty control or something...
 
  #16  
Old 03-19-17, 06:48 PM
A
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Indiana
Posts: 27
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
at the Max. it be three feet from sub panel in no walls or thur. any studs. just from sub panel to compressor.
 
  #17  
Old 03-19-17, 07:04 PM
ray2047's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 29,711
Upvotes: 0
Received 15 Upvotes on 13 Posts
it be three feet from sub panel in no walls or thur. any studs
I'd use a premade whip or make one.
 

Last edited by ray2047; 03-19-17 at 07:28 PM.
  #18  
Old 03-19-17, 07:23 PM
T
Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 295
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
Who said anything about aluminum?
 
  #19  
Old 03-19-17, 07:28 PM
ray2047's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 29,711
Upvotes: 0
Received 15 Upvotes on 13 Posts
You're correct no one did. My mistake. Post edited.
 
  #20  
Old 03-20-17, 06:57 AM
P
Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: United States, Virginia
Posts: 1,705
Received 273 Upvotes on 230 Posts
I'm fairly sure that cable is Type TC power cable. It can be used inside. Here's info from Southwire...

"Southwire's Type TC Power Cable is used to supply power to motors, or for connection to other power devices in industrial settings. Primary installations include cable trays, raceways, and outdoor locations where supported by a messenger wire. Type TC Power Cable is listed for direct burial or in underground ducts and for use in Class 1, Division 2 hazardous locations and Class 1 control circuits. These constructions are listed for exposed runs (TC-ER) per NEC 336.10. This cable may be used in wet and dry locations at temperatures not to exceed 90."

I'm thinking the bare wire is a messenger wire or the cable has multiple grounds for some reason.
 
  #21  
Old 03-20-17, 08:35 AM
CasualJoe's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: United States
Posts: 9,871
Received 185 Upvotes on 166 Posts
I'm fairly sure that cable is Type TC power cable
That's probably what it is and there are probably other markings on the cable sheathing we have not seen. Type XHHW conductors by themselves cannot be direct buried.
 
  #22  
Old 03-20-17, 12:34 PM
A
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Indiana
Posts: 27
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
That's probably what it is and there are probably other markings on the cable sheathing we have not seen. Type XHHW conductors by themselves cannot be direct buried.
Other markings:
Tamaqua cable 4/C type TC 3/C #12 XHHW Direct Burial sunlight resistant.
 
  #23  
Old 03-20-17, 01:27 PM
A
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Indiana
Posts: 27
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
I'm thinking the bare wire is a messenger wire or the cable has multiple grounds for some reason.
whats a messenger wire?
NEVER MIND I GOOGLED IT!!!!
 
  #24  
Old 03-20-17, 02:03 PM
PJmax's Avatar
Group Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Jersey
Posts: 64,939
Received 3,951 Upvotes on 3,544 Posts
That looks to be power tray wiring. It would be heat and flame resistant. It would perform similar to NM-b as both need to be supported and protected from harm.

You need black, red and green and you have it. The extra bare could be used as an additional ground. I don't see using it for a few feet between the panel and compressor as an issue.
 
  #25  
Old 03-21-17, 05:11 PM
CasualJoe's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: United States
Posts: 9,871
Received 185 Upvotes on 166 Posts
Other markings:
Tamaqua cable 4/C type TC 3/C #12 XHHW Direct Burial sunlight resistant.
There ya go, Type TC is Tray Cable.
 
  #26  
Old 03-22-17, 01:35 PM
A
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Indiana
Posts: 27
Upvotes: 0
Received 0 Upvotes on 0 Posts
That looks to be power tray wiring. It would be heat and flame resistant. It would perform similar to NM-b as both need to be supported and protected from harm.

You need black, red and green and you have it. The extra bare could be used as an additional ground. I don't see using it for a few feet between the panel and compressor as an issue.
~ Pete ~
That's what I wanted to know...compressor only requires a 15 amp 2 pole breaker 12 gauge wire is good for 20 amps right? like I said its only going to be at the max. 3 foot in distance and I already have it laying around not being used. have like 8 foot of it, that was gave to me.
 
  #27  
Old 03-22-17, 02:03 PM
I
Forum Topic Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Near Lansing, Michigan
Posts: 9,785
Upvotes: 0
Received 45 Upvotes on 43 Posts
I see no problem using it as you describe.
 
  #28  
Old 03-22-17, 04:14 PM
P
Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: United States, Virginia
Posts: 1,705
Received 273 Upvotes on 230 Posts
I may have missed it somewhere but how are you planning on feeding the compressor with this TC wire? Are you using it to run a circuit to a receptacle outlet?

Edit: I now see you said straight from panel to compressor. The TC needs to be in conduit, can't just run it like it's a cord. Use flex conduit.
 
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
 
Ask a Question
Question Title:
Description:
Your question will be posted in: