ndutton Posted February 17, 2020 Share Posted February 17, 2020 (edited) Thought you might be interested to see some modifications I did on a controller. I have a number of regular small props clustered together. I've always had the controller on the periphery with several extension cords connecting them to the controller. After this 2019 season closed I made a plan to change that and attached is the result. The cable is a 12 core 16 gauge cable with all the old connectors moved down to a "distribution box". The current box offers 6 outlets but potentially I could add another 4 with fly leads of longer lengths if needed. Just an idea if you need it.... https://www.dropbox.com/s/4ix03ivjyaccump/IMG_6161.jpg?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/wuxjovda9zdyfc8/IMG_6162.jpg?dl=0 Note: the cable glands are weather proof design. For the 16/12 cable: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Sigma-Electric-ProConnex-3-4-in-Cord-Grip-Connector-Conduit-Fitting/3389372 For the Flyleads: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Sigma-Electric-ProConnex-3-4-in-Uf-Cable-Connector-Conduit-Fitting/3389324 Edited February 17, 2020 by ndutton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDucks Posted February 17, 2020 Share Posted February 17, 2020 Very nice looking work.. But 12 core? Is it Armored cable? I ask because you used the 3WIRE pigtails.and unless those Greens are connected to a GROUNDED Armor Braid , you present a hazard opportunity to the unsuspecting that may attach something with the 3rd prong that could possible energize other 3rd prong devices on the same Spider box. IIRC there is also a NEC limit of 6 feet for use of raceway only grounding.. After that, a ground conductor must be used. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndutton Posted February 17, 2020 Author Share Posted February 17, 2020 (edited) No it is not armoured and so not considered a raceway conduit, I wanted the cable to be flexible but ground conductor is available to the circuit. (I am also confused by your statement. Its a 12 conductor cable, there are 6 pigtails (so 6 hot), which means there are 6 conductors leftover.. Therefore theoretically, with a shared conductor for N and another shared for GND that creates 4 spares (though in my actual case 2 of those are being used for additional shared N and 2 for additional shared GND. I think you are assuming that I ran a neutral for each pigtail. Maybe this will help explain: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4a691froa6vc0ee/12 core.pdf?dl=0 Edited February 17, 2020 by ndutton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheDucks Posted February 17, 2020 Share Posted February 17, 2020 47 minutes ago, ndutton said: No it is not grounded, I wanted the cable to be flexible but ground conductor is available to the circuit. (I am also confused by your statement. Its a 12 conductor cable, there are 6 pigtails (so 6 hot), which means there are 6 conductors leftover.. Therefore theoretically, with a shared conductor for N and another shared for GND that creates 4 spares (though in my actual case 2 of those are being used for additional shared N and 2 for additional shared GND. Maybe this will help explain: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4a691froa6vc0ee/12 core.pdf?dl=0 You did say all conductors are 16Ga Current is Additive in a Neutral unless there is a corresponding identical load on the other phase (120-n-120) like a US house is wired. 100W -N-100W will result in near 0 neutral current for a 120/240 feed Since a majority of us do not have (L)14 feeds (4wire, 120/240) to our LOR controllers you need a neutral conductor sized to handle ALL LOADS 100% ( now see you tripled up the the neutral, you now match the CTB Input cord (15A) 👍 The Green needs the same treatment. It in not until you get past 40A, are you allowed to run reduced sized ground (per NEC) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ndutton Posted February 17, 2020 Author Share Posted February 17, 2020 certainly..... but remember this is for a very specific application. I carry minimal load on each circuit even if I hadn't tripled up (aka nowhere near the theoretical limits). The reality of this is that, as you point out, this isn't the >100ft light load extension cord, with an indoor multi socket adapter plugged in it which I am sure most people do ;). - It is a more weather proofed solution in which I calculated out the load potential for my application and as I said, its just an idea... people should use it only as inspiration and adapt it suitably for their scenario. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts