[RE-wrenches] Combining conductors

[John Berdner]

Larry:

Yep, it basically that easy.
To paraphrase the handbook...

Conductors connected in parallel are treated by the Code as a single conductor
with a total cross-sectional area of all conductors in parallel.

The main requirements for parallel conductors are in Article 310.10(H).
Larger than 1/0 each, etc.
There are some related requirements for conductor routing and equipment ground conductors as well.

Best Regards,

John Berdner
General Manager, North America

SolarEdge Technologies, Inc.
3347 Gateway Boulevard, Fremont CA 94538 USA  (*Please note of our new address.)
T: 510.498.3200, X 747
M: 530.277.4894

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar Power Systems
Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2013 11:46 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Combining conductors

Thanks Dan and Nathan. So simply by using the CMA and doubling it I can lookup an equivalent CMA size. That just sounds too easy.

"other code issues..." Since these conductors are attached to separate terminals on each battery, they aren't paralleled but the net result is like paralleling.


Larry Crutcher
Starlight Solar Power Systems





On Apr 4, 2013, at 10:20 AM, Nathan Stumpff wrote:


Larry,

I don't think the relationship of AWG size to ampacity is a linear curve, so while that "rule of thumb" may be pretty good, you can't always count on it. I would use the circular area column in NEC Chapter 9, Table 8 for an easy, quick way to compare two of one conductor vs. one of another.

Of course there are other code issues regarding parallel conductors...

Cheers,
-Nathan

--
Nathan J. Stumpff
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From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org<mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar Power Systems
Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2013 8:51 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: [RE-wrenches] Combining conductors

Wrenches,

Here's a tough one for me to understand. I am installing 2 volt AGM batteries. There are two terminals for each battery polarity. I have some height limits so I need to use the minimum wire size. Here's my question: If I combine two identical conductors, what is the equivalent single conductor size?

I found one "rule of thumb" that says doubling like conductors creates a AWG decrease of 3. Example: two #2 will be equivalent to 2/0. Is this true?

Thank you,

Larry Crutcher
Starlight Solar Power Systems







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