voltage drop running 50 amps 350 feet from service pole.

[pablopablo]

hello. i need to run power to a cabin that is 350 feet from the service pole in our driveway. the problem is voltage drop. the service pole is 150 feet from the transformer so total run is 500 feet.
is it possible for a diy'er to purchase a small transformer that would bring the voltage up? (i cant find any online)
current plan is to run 6/3 uf-b underground and only wire 2- 15 amp breakers. according to the charts the voltage drop with limited amp draw should be ok.
is this my best bet or is there a better way. We don't need a lot of power up there but 30 amps is about the minimum. any advice is appreciated.

 

[pablopablo]

i posted this in the diy forum. someone moved it here ....

 

[westward10]

I moved it hoping one of our American members will pick up on it.

 

[pc1966]

Definitely one for the likes of @Megawatt

I would not consider connection to the service pole as a DIY sort of activity?!

Is this going to be two-phase (120-0-120V)? If so then using something like #3 AWG copper cables ought to be OK for 30A total current, but you should check the feed breaker to the cable is able to disconnect on a fault OK (it should be if around 30A as well).

Having a voltage compensation arrangement in possible but expensive, a simple transformer would result in a higher off-load voltage so a satisfactory solution would end up being something as costly and inconvenient as a UPS that electronically regulates the supply (though that has other advantages).

 

[Megawatt]

hello. i need to run power to a cabin that is 350 feet from the service pole in our driveway. the problem is voltage drop. the service pole is 150 feet from the transformer so total run is 500 feet.
is it possible for a diy'er to purchase a small transformer that would bring the voltage up? (i cant find any online)
current plan is to run 6/3 uf-b underground and only wire 2- 15 amp breakers. according to the charts the voltage drop with limited amp draw should be ok.
is this my best bet or is there a better way. We don't need a lot of power up there but 30 amps is about the minimum. any advice is appreciated.

Your not looking at 500 feet because if it’s a 150 to the primary feeding the transformer which is the power company’s problem. If you upped your wire size to # 3 copper should be fine with 50 amps at least bump it up to # 1 copper for 30 amps

 

[pablopablo]

Definitely one for the likes of @Megawatt

I would not consider connection to the service pole as a DIY sort of activity?!

Is this going to be two-phase (120-0-120V)? If so then using something like #3 AWG copper cables ought to be OK for 30A total current, but you should check the feed breaker to the cable is able to disconnect on a fault OK (it should be if around 30A as well).

Having a voltage compensation arrangement in possible but expensive, a simple transformer would result in a higher off-load voltage so a satisfactory solution would end up being something as costly and inconvenient as a UPS that electronically regulates the supply (though that has other advantages).

yes it is 120v. the service pole was hooked up by an electrician. there is a panel there with the meter and a couple of outlets wired. i cant have the power company or an electrician run the wire the remaining 350 feet to the cabin because my lot is right on bedrock and they would have to set ledge poles, doubling the cost and i cant afford it.
i will investigate the ups idea.
so that would be 1 #3 copper hot wire and then #6 nuetral and ground? would the 6/3 ufb be acceptable with only 15 amps on each hot?
thanks for the info.

 

[pablopablo]

Definitely one for the likes of @Megawatt

I would not consider connection to the service pole as a DIY sort of activity?!

Is this going to be two-phase (120-0-120V)? If so then using something like #3 AWG copper cables ought to be OK for 30A total current, but you should check the feed breaker to the cable is able to disconnect on a fault OK (it should be if around 30A as well).

Having a voltage compensation arrangement in possible but expensive, a simple transformer would result in a higher off-load voltage so a satisfactory solution would end up being something as costly and inconvenient as a UPS that electronically regulates the supply (though that has other advantages).

Your not looking at 500 feet because if it’s a 150 to the primary feeding the transformer which is the power company’s problem. If you upped your wire size to # 3 copper should be fine with 50 amps at least bump it up to # 1 copper for 30 amps

Your not looking at 500 feet because if it’s a 150 to the primary feeding the transformer which is the power company’s problem. If you upped your wire size to # 3 copper should be fine with 50 amps at least bump it up to # 1 copper for 30 amps

would the #3 wire need to be buried in conduit? would the 6/3 ufb carrying 15 amps per hot achieve the same result?
thanks very much for the info.

 

[Megawatt]

would the #3 wire need to be buried in conduit? would the 6/3 ufb carrying 15 amps per hot achieve the same result?
thanks very much for the info.

Yes because the only # 3 you can get is THHN single strand wire so you would need the length of the run times 3 and one # 6 ground. The code book allows for 1 inch conduit but it would be a tough pull. You could raise your conduit to 1 1/4 or use a lot of gel. The ditch is required to be 18 inches deep

 

[Megawatt]

hello. i need to run power to a cabin that is 350 feet from the service pole in our driveway. the problem is voltage drop. the service pole is 150 feet from the transformer so total run is 500 feet.
is it possible for a diy'er to purchase a small transformer that would bring the voltage up? (i cant find any online)
current plan is to run 6/3 uf-b underground and only wire 2- 15 amp breakers. according to the charts the voltage drop with limited amp draw should be ok.
is this my best bet or is there a better way. We don't need a lot of power up there but 30 amps is about the minimum. any advice is appreciated.

To stop voltage drop just go up on your wire size