wire size for 50 amp service

RinconVTR wrote:


The "code" option that wont break the bank is to bury 4x #4 wires to a box on a pedestal. The would go in the ground and out of the ground via pipe but can be buried loose. I cannot recall the required depth, but its in the 24-36' range.

18 inches deep min. per L.A. City Electrical Code. Don't backfill until approved by the inspector.

There, will that help OP?

3 pages. Was there a real answer for the OP in there somewhere?

Look, unless you're running near max current, you could get away with 2-3 #8 50 amp RV extension cords. There will be a little voltage drop but it wont stop the show.

The "code" option that wont break the bank is to bury 4x #4 wires to a box on a pedestal. The would go in the ground and out of the ground via pipe but can be buried loose. I cannot recall the required depth, but its in the 24-36' range.

But unless this is a permanent location, go with the extension cords. You'll save a ton of time AND money while maintaining full functionality in the camper.

get help?

Let's not get deep into the Electrical Engineering stuff. Be pragmatic if you can.

Look in the American Electricians's Hand book by Terrell Croft, John Watt and Wilford Summers. It eliminates most of the vagaries of electrical principles that you may find in most Electrical Engineering Test Books.

This Handbook is often called The Electrician's Bible. A respected reference by Master Electricians. It also helps a lot for those wannabees.

Look it up yourself on division 3-10. Peruse the division in the article ...and that will really help you.

Lay back on Google and WIKI. It will make you "fat" metaphorically that is...and not to mention getting misguided and confused.

Tom/Barb wrote:
what every you want to call it, it was wired like this.

Really, you don't have to be a 6 year college grad electrical engineer to follow the directions given on a internet diagram.

If you can't see that red goes here, black goes there, and the white goes up there, and the bare copper goes with all the other bare copper, you are probably in over your head.

get help.


All I know is my expensive doodad thing in the back of the Newmar likes it and hooks right up "click" Hey we got power :)

Wikipedia is not the ultimate resource--in fact some entries invite disambiguation if WIKI feels the contribution is flaky. Readers are bombarded with lots of useless information.

As one educator says:

A professor who recommends Wikipedia is like a dietician who recommends a steady diet of Big Macs.

Is this directed at my link to the Wikipedia article about 2 phase power? I know that Wikipedia is not the ultimate resource, and I don't eat Big Macs all the time. On the other hand, some articles can be confirmed to be correct and are the best to refer to because they bring the information together in a clearer presentation than the other resources, which I feel is the case for the definition and explanation of two-phase power. But for those who don't trust the Wikipedia info, here are some other resources that agree that two-phase power is produced by a single generator with the phases 90 degrees apart.
http://electriciantraining.tpub.com/14177/css/Two-Phase-Alternators-70.htm
http://www.testandmeasurementtips.com/basics-of-polyphase-power/
http://www.ablegroup.net/3phase-2phase.htm
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/two-phase

what every you want to call it, it was wired like this.

True
NEC is not a blanket for all, as state and local codes can have further enhancements... as well as the codes statement of installations being subject to the authority having jurisdiction.

There has been several comments regarding provision in the NEC and other Building and Safety Codes.

Invariably,people would willy nilly use some provisions that they think would settle any ambiguity to settle any argument.

The truth is, if you search a particular NEC reference material, it specifically says that the NEC is to be used by properly registered or licensed professional to interpret any ambiguity. In some versions particularly the L.A. City Electrical Code the AHJ empowers the City Inspectors to have the final say.

Having said that, anyone who thinks that he is right just because he read it in the book is putting himself in a bad spot should there be any conflict. It may be different if you are a documented professional who they might listen to...not the regular Joe.

Wikipedia is not the ultimate resource--in fact some entries invite disambiguation if WIKI feels the contribution is flaky. Readers are bombarded with lots of useless information.

As one educator says:

A professor who recommends Wikipedia is like a dietician who recommends a steady diet of Big Macs.

Exactly. This is in response to MEX post.

The City Electrician and/or City Engineer are duly sworn government officials that have power to recommend to the City Council any provision in the NEC of NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) to adopt said provisions for inclusion in the Municipal Codes. Therefore they become law. As such they carry penalties for deliberate violation.

Insurance Companies use this document like a bible in case there is a lawsuit.
And let's not forget the nosy OSHA.

And yes, the tripping hazard is not something to ignore...one can bust his chin while running, trying to find a place to hide from city inspectors. LOL.

The usual tech term for dual phase is "two phase" which is derived from two totally separate power sources (i.e. two transformers, two generators etc.) ...no intermingling of the two power sources. This setup is common in industrial heavy demand load like 50-100 horsepower motors. Crushers for cement aggregate plants for example. Steel forging plants with those heavy hammers.

The term "two phase" is used for a system where the phases are 90 degrees apart, produced by a single generator.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-phase_electric_power