On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 22:23:43 -0400, Gerald Miller
wrote:

On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 21:50:59 -0400, Ned Simmons
wrote:

On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 23:53:29 GMT, (Doug Miller)
wrote:

In article , Ned Simmons wrote:
On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 12:14:38 -0500, "Karl Townsend"
wrote:

I have an underground wire that I think is called #8-3 but I can't find any
numbers on it. The OD of the insulation is 0.238" on each of the three
wires. That in turn is in another insulated jacket for underground. Each
wire is a seven stranded unit, the O.D. of this is 0.145" and each wire
measures 0.048". What's the wire size here?

#8 sounds right.

8's not that big -- unless he's measuring the insulation, not the wire, in
which case he has a meaningless measurement.

Seven strands of .048 diameter wire totals 16,128 circular mils cross
section. AWG #8 has an area of 16,512 circular mils - close enough to
chalk up the difference to measurement error.



More importantly, I need to know amp capacity. There's four of these #8?-3
wires in a conduit for four feet going from the main to underground.
(Multiconductor may reduce amp rating?)

I want to go 40 amp circuit breaker. Am I OK

Unless the insulation is something very unusual (rated less than 60
degrees C) it should be fine.

And that's why I told him he needs to find the markings on the cable.

Best to identify the wire and be sure, but, as far as I know, there
are no NEC listed wires with an insulation rated below 60C.
Seems to me there should be some pi there, and r ^2 instead of d ^2,
giving 12,667. or am I talking trough my left ear?
Gerry :-)}
London, Canada
Prooved myself wrong again - il-logical system!
Gerry :-)}
London, Canada