I'm planning on putting a sub panel in my shop on the side of the house where my RV is stored during the summer. Not worried about the gauge of wire from the main panel to the sub panel - a problem for another day.I'd like to bury a power cable and install a 50A receptacle right next to the RV. It's going to be about 60 cable-feet from the subpanel to the receptacle on the post.My hot tub is 60A and the electrician installed and the inspector approved 6 gauge wire for a similar length run.Is 8 gauge allowed or should I be burying 6 gauge? I'm planning on burying it in 1-1/2" PVC.

I ran #6 copper through 1-1/2" pvc, 24" deep trench for about 100'. My inspector passed that with flying colors. I ran the wire through each 8' section of pvc and then once all wire was through the pvc, I then glued the pvc ends together one at a time in the trench. Trying to run #6 wire through a already glued pvc would be really, really difficult.You had better contact your inspector to make absolutely sure on the #8 wire.Ron

#8 is good for maybe 10' max. You need #6.May need to oversize the conduit if using a bundled cable.Are you running from the hot tub sub-panel? Because it may not have a neutral and you must have all 4 wires.

You will never use anywhere near 50A on each leg. Rarely over 25 per leg unless you run microwave, hair dryer and an electric heater. You could use dual 30 breakers and drop the wire size to 8. You could still run both ACs microwave and fridge.

Wot size wire for buried cable to 50A RV receptacle at home?

K_Charles
Explorer
Jun 04, 2015
#6 copper
lanerd
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2015
I ran #6 copper through 1-1/2" pvc, 24" deep trench for about 100'. My inspector passed that with flying colors. I ran the wire through each 8' section of pvc and then once all wire was through the pvc, I then glued the pvc ends together one at a time in the trench. Trying to run #6 wire through a already glued pvc would be really, really difficult.

You had better contact your inspector to make absolutely sure on the #8 wire.
Ron
time2roll
Nomad
Jun 04, 2015
#8 is good for maybe 10' max. You need #6.

May need to oversize the conduit if using a bundled cable.

Are you running from the hot tub sub-panel? Because it may not have a neutral and you must have all 4 wires.
Big_Katuna
Explorer II
Jun 04, 2015
You will never use anywhere near 50A on each leg. Rarely over 25 per leg unless you run microwave, hair dryer and an electric heater.

You could use dual 30 breakers and drop the wire size to 8. You could still run both ACs microwave and fridge.
Dannyabear1
Explorer
Jun 04, 2015
3- #6 & 1- #8
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Jun 05, 2015
Your hot tub is not as voltage sensitive as your R.V.

Code violation may be costly. Say you experience a damaging electrical event and your insurance is set to foot the bill. All they need to do is send someone to verify the loss....

Electrical codes exist for your protection.
Empty_Nest__Soo
Explorer
Jun 05, 2015
Dannyabear1 wrote:
3- #6 & 1- #8

For a 60' run @ 50 amps: 3- #6 copper, for the 2 hot legs and neutral. If aluminum, #4.

#8 will work for ground, although I think #10 copper ground will meet the current code requirements.

Wayne
joebedford
Nomad II
Jun 05, 2015
smkettner wrote:
Are you running from the hot tub sub-panel? Because it may not have a neutral and you must have all 4 wires.
No - there's no subpanel for the hottub - just a 60A breaker in the main panel then #6 through a service switch to the tub. 4 wires with neutral. It's at the other end of the house.
joebedford
Nomad II
Jun 05, 2015
Big Katuna wrote:
You will never use anywhere near 50A on each leg. Rarely over 25 per leg unless you run microwave, hair dryer and an electric heater.

You could use dual 30 breakers and drop the wire size to 8. You could still run both ACs microwave and fridge.
I hadn't thought of that. Given that it's rarely used in that location 30A per leg would be plenty.
kaydeejay
Explorer
Jun 05, 2015
joebedford wrote:
Big Katuna wrote:
You will never use anywhere near 50A on each leg. Rarely over 25 per leg unless you run microwave, hair dryer and an electric heater.

You could use dual 30 breakers and drop the wire size to 8. You could still run both ACs microwave and fridge.
I hadn't thought of that. Given that it's rarely used in that location 30A per leg would be plenty.
NEC code says #8 wire is good for 40A, so that is what I have with a 2-pole 40 amp breaker for plugging in at home.
Local inspector signed off on it.