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X ` Man

On 10/4/11 5:45 PM, wrote:
On Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:59:50 -0400, X `
wrote:

I'm thinking of upgrading to a larger standby generator, probably a 17KW
model.

The generator will be approximately 50 to 60 feet away from the house
circuit breakers. The wire will run under the main level floor and above
the lower level ceiling.

I want as little current drop as possible. The generator provides
100 amps.

One of the contractors under consideration wants to use aluminum wire,
but I am more than willing to pay the premium between aluminum and
copper. I don't have an electrical "handibook" available.

What I am wondering:

1. Is 4/0 copper wire heavy enough?

WAY more than enough. A contractor would probably use #4, if left to
their own devices. Your figures are off, though. You'd be lucky to get
70A out of a 17KW generator. I wouldn't use aluminum wire, if I had to
forget the whole project.

100A would call for #1. A 70 foot run would give you about a .4%
voltage drop, which is negligible. 4/0 would give about a .2% voltage
drop, which would be an expensive .2% gain.

2. Anyone know a supplier for about 70 feet of the stuff?

If individual wires, and you buy something on the order of 4/0(or #1),
then you will need at least 70X2 feet for the two hot wires, plus
whatever you chose as a neutral wire. So, you might go with about 210
feet of whatever.

Our local electrical suppliers don't seem to want to provide a length
that short.

Don't you have a Hechinger, Lowes, or Home Depot?

Thanks.

P.S. I'm really only interested in replies from those with an
educational or professional electrical background.

Thanks...you're right...70 amps. I'm contemplating either a 17KW or 20
KW standby, enough to run what I want to run in case of a power outage,
but not the whole house.

--
I'll believe corporations are people when Texas executes one.