Which type of wire to use in Epanel

westbranch · July 2013

I am wiring up an Epanel and need to add a couple of breakers & #6 ga. wires for my PV input, as per the Epanel manual.

The AC transfer switch is wired with THHN , so I was looking for that but I cannot source it locally.

Will RW90 be acceptable?

Similarly can I use #4 STW battery cable for the run to the Classic? the STW is slightly flexible rather than stiff, not floppy like car stereo wire of same size,

I am assuming that there would be minimum stress at the attachment points.

From US Wire & Cable
STW
Extra hard service cord. Thermoplastic constructed jacket. 600 volt, weather resistant for outdoor use.

It feels slightly (like) rubber coated as does CabTyre

NorthGuy · July 2013

Re: Which type of wire to use in Epanel

westbranch wrote: »

The AC transfer switch is wired with THHN , so I was looking for that but I cannot source it locally.

I think THHN is not available in Canada. When I bought Generac, which was made in the US, the wiring was THHN.

westbranch wrote: »

Will RW90 be acceptable?

I used RW90 for all my wiring. $2/meter in Home Depot.

westbranch · July 2013

Re: Which type of wire to use in Epanel

I mentioned THHN to the guy at a commercial installers office here and he knew what I was after but no supply in 6ga. Others have RW90 in 4 ga and 8 ga but not 6...
ps we are in a HD desert, closest is 3 hr drive, one way.

Cariboocoot · July 2013

Re: Which type of wire to use in Epanel

Insulation type doesn't really matter in an enclosed installation.

YehoshuaAgapao · July 2013

Re: Which type of wire to use in Epanel

NorthGuy wrote: »

I think THHN is not available in Canada. When I bought Generac, which was made in the US, the wiring was THHN.
I used RW90 for all my wiring. $2/meter in Home Depot.

Use whatever has 90C rated insulation. These are 90C insulation types copy/pasting from the electrician2.com code calculator: AE cable, MC cable, NM cable, TBS, SA, SIS, FE, FEPB, MI, RHH, RHW-2, THHN, THHW (dry location), THW-2, THWN, USE-2, XHHW (dry location), XHHW-2, ZW-2. Most THHN sold in AZ are the slick easy-run type - very hard to bend. Wire and Cable 2 Go is cost competitive to contractor supply shops with heavy gauges bought in bulk (at least $1000 order total).

westbranch · July 2013

Re: Which type of wire to use in Epanel

I spoke to a friend that works at EB Horsemans, the local electrical Wholesaler yesterday about THHN/W.

He looked it up and found that it is meant for TRAY use, hence why it is so rigid... and the specs are the same, 90* rated, just that the THHN has thinner insulating material, and a slipperier coating for pulling through conduits.

His recommendation (also) was use RW90 as it is designed for colder climates, that's why it is so common around here.

ECS wire states:

Single copper conductor with low temperature moisture resisting cross-linked polyethylene insulation
For open wiring and raceways (except cabletroughs and ventilated flexible cableway) in dry or wet locations.**

Rated 600 volts.
Meets CSA C22.2 N° 38-05

Minimum recommended installation temperature: minus 40 degrees Celsius (with suitable handling procedures).

Maximum conductor temperature: 90 degrees Celsius.

Sure wouldn't want to be doing that work at -40 (same temp on both scales)

Which type of wire to use in Epanel

Comments

Categories