Posted by Dave Horvath [76.125.248.166] on Friday, January 03, 2014 at 19:49:13 :
OK, guys. I am getting ready to order the air compressor for the barn/shop. I'm planning to get the two-stage single phase 5hp. Eaton/Polar 80 gallon continuous duty compressor. Polar says it requires a 40 amp breaker.
You may remember, my concern is voltage drop from the house to the barn. The panel at the house feeding the barn has two 50 amp breakers. We may be upgrading the old Federated Republic? panel at the house and could upgrade to a single 100 amp breaker if that makes sense to do.
As for the line, there is a short 20' or less run from the panel to a box outside the house. This needs to be upgraded to a proper extension line I think it's called.
The distance from the box outside the house to the barn is about 300'. Not sure what size the solid copper buried wire is yet. I will check tomorrow.
So, here is the question. What size/gauge would the buried wire need to be to have enough voltage after drop across 300' to support 40 amp breaker to power the compressor at the barn?
Trying to figure out if I need to upgrade line to the barn, or worse yet, have the utility company install two more poles, etc.
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