"komobu" wrote in message
...
Hi;

We had a fire and are putting are building back together. I have a new
heat pump that has heat strips that draw 90 amps. A new wire has to be
run from the panel to the heater. The run is about 75 feet. The
electrical contractor is responsible by contract to hook up all wires
to the new 200 amp panel he is installing. He wants an additional 1300
to run the one wire for the heat pump. He says the wire and conduit
alone will run 1000 dollars. I am debating running this wire myself.
If I run the wire, he will attach it to the panel as part of the
original bid to hook up all wires to the new panel. So all I have to
do is put the wire in the conduit and attach it to the wall. I would
like to weigh the cost. What is the correct wire size that will be
needed for 90 amps?


Was that price for copper wire? If so ask for a price using aluminum. You
may be able to save a few bucks that way.

As far as wire size I would use at least #2 copper or 1/0 aluminum. Check
the nameplate on the unit to see what the maximum fuse size is. It may also
state minimum wire size.

Of course you realize that if anything goes wrong with the installation, the
contractor could easily say it is not his fault because you installed the
wiring.

Who is going to install the disconnect switch at the heater location and
wire the unit from there?