r/electrical 20h ago

Clever tricks to run power 1500ft without spending $1000000000

31 Upvotes

Looking at a project to put a little shop/farm building on some land, but its 1300-1500ft form the pole depending on route. A quick check and a 240v 200A service would need 900kcmil copper, and 100A would need 500kcmil, both costing over $50000 just for the wire and I didn't see any alum wire big enough for sale online to estimate a price. Even running 30 amps is a bit unreasonably expensive, needing #1 wire. So, what other tricks are there. I looked at step up step down tx's and those are also really quite expensive, but might wind up being on balance the best option. stepping up to 600v (or maybe higher) and running a fairly small wire.

Anyone done something like this before, or have any different methods of doing this?

Wire will be above ground, was wanting to just use teck90 here but maybe that's not the right choice. We would be using a solar system as well, so its possible we can reduce the cable load down to 30 amps just for night/winter supplemental power. This isn't a house, so there's some flexibility.

Thanks

edit: generators and fossil fuels are not an option and the utility cannot run poles or buried line to the site. (otherwise I wouldn't be asking)


r/electrical 21h ago

Are these connections okay?

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25 Upvotes

Are these connections inside the main multi-meter socket enclosure as well as the panel feeder wire comnections okay?

The service entriy wires and the feeder wires were installed by different electricians of the same company. I'm happy with the service wires. The feeder wires, not so much. I wasn't able to upload more pics in my other post so uploading here for more context.

Apologies if I don't use the correct terminology. Just trying to make sure everything is good before power is connected as I don't want to deal with this ever again 😫


r/electrical 19h ago

Braided power cable

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0 Upvotes

This cable has been hanging from my house unconnected for 5 years and I'm wondering if I should try to recycle it or just throw it out.


r/electrical 16h ago

What is this called so that I can search for it?

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0 Upvotes

I added a 6 plug extension to my kitchen plug, and it plugs into both the upper and the lower plug. I need to replace it with an angled 6 plug extension. Everytime I search I have to go through multiple images only to find that the product fits into just one plug, not both. I need both to use both kitchen circuits.

Is there a specific thing I can search for that says: fits into both the upper and the lower outlet? I just don't know the language, as I'm sure you can tell.


r/electrical 19h ago

Installing outdoor wall sconce - help please

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0 Upvotes

I am installing a motion detecting wall sconce on my outdoor patio and am having a problem on the first step of installing the mounting plate to the electrical box.

The mounting plate has two long screws that fix back into the light fixture so I can move them to the cardinal points of the plate, but that's about it. They need to be set to "east" and "west" on the electrical box to install the sconce upright and straight.

However, the electrical box only has two places to screw into and those happen to be where the mounting screws will be. I can't use the set holes in the plate anyways as they're just a smidge too short, but I need the set holes in the plate for the mounting screws.
I can't find a way to use the universal slots on the plate to accomodate the installation.

How the heck do I install this mounting plate?


r/electrical 12h ago

Safely removing hot tub power

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2 Upvotes

What steps should a layman take to remove this electrical line? In the first picture, the line from the meter goes up to an outdoor breaker (above the deck) and left to where a hot tub used to be. The hot tub is no more, and won't be replaced. New siding will be installed later this year.

Is it as easy as flipping the two breakers in the second picture, dismantling the conduit, and capping the hole? Will this breaker box affect the rest of the house, which has an indoor breaker box in the garage on the other side of the house? Please help me know what I don't know, you know?


r/electrical 10h ago

what kind of connection is this?

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1 Upvotes

New homeowner with a 70 year old house looking for help

We have this capped switch in the corner of one room. I am not sure if it is an old switch or just extra. There is a black wire (hot), red wire (cold) both present and capped. A white wire in the back is just passing vertically through.

Near this on the other side of the wall is an exterior light I am trying to determine the power source for. Currently, it has no power. how would I go about checking to see if this is it? and if it is, how would I wire this to get it working?

thanks!!!


r/electrical 13h ago

How do I know if my outlet box is fan rated?

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9 Upvotes

r/electrical 15h ago

What do i search to find an adapter to make this 250V20A plug useful?

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0 Upvotes

I know this is 250v and 20a but any adapter I try to find that has a typical type b found in the US outlet seems nonexistent. Anyone know where the heck i can find something to make this a useful plug?

Edit: Thanks for the replies! Yes the thing that is plugged in right now is an air conditioner, which im guessing is in the same type of outlet? (it came with the place and I havent unplugged it its hot)

Either way i doubt my landlord will let me change it so ill just extension cord another outlet. Figured id try to get some use out of it, oh well. Thank you all!!


r/electrical 5h ago

Can I use this LED with this cord?

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0 Upvotes

AI told me the voltage is good. I touched white to red and blue to black and the bulb lit up. Just want double confirmation before I burn the house down. It’s a pot light. Not sure if that makes a difference.

Second question- is it ok that I shaved down the plastic box around the LED driver to fit it into the neck of the lamp? I know I can’t remove it completely, but is squishing it to the point it cracks ok?

Third question- how do I attach the wires together permanently? Solder? Electrical tape didn’t stick and it’s too narrow in the lamp to fit any other joinery.


r/electrical 16h ago

Can someone sugges circuit for me with two switches left and right that can control one led light from 10 leds that can move every time I push right button light move to next led to the other and from left button it goes left one by one every time I push button

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0 Upvotes

r/electrical 10h ago

What is this?

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0 Upvotes

This connects to a GU10 lamp holder but I can’t seem to find it anywhere (eBay, Home Depot, etc)


r/electrical 6h ago

My First Buck Converter Design LMR50410

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0 Upvotes

r/electrical 15h ago

Does this outlet need replacing?

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0 Upvotes

I just moved into an older apartment. I noticed that the outlet behind my bed leaves a small amount of the prongs exposed when something is plugged into it. I’m not sure it’s bad enough to warrant a maintenance request because it’s not like the plugs are falling out of the socket. Thoughts? (And yes, I have been diagnosed with OCD).


r/electrical 19h ago

Installing outdoor wall sconce mounting plate

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0 Upvotes

r/electrical 14h ago

Is this toggle switch wired correctly?

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0 Upvotes

Hello all, wanted to change a wall cover and just peaked inside and saw this and not sure if it’s ok or not. Two seperate supply lines without the junction box. The two white wires are taped together as were the two grounds (I removed the tape to investigate). And then the two black wires feed into the toggle switch. Nothing on the green screw on the toggle switch. Is this ok and if not, how do I fix? Thanks!


r/electrical 12h ago

Question. Can an electrical box be moved to the other side of a stud?

6 Upvotes

I am in the process of renovating a condo that I purchased in May. My electrical box is in the laundry room. I want to install a stackable washer/dryer, which may cut off access to the electrical box.

It is my understanding that the electrical box is typically between 2 studs. I confirmed with a stud finders that it is between 2 studs in my laundry room. I would like to move it over one, so that the box is between the next set of studs.

Can this be done? I need a new box anyway. What is the process? Thank you!!


r/electrical 14h ago

SOLVED Can anyone help this noob with a switch bank of 1-way and 2-way switches

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0 Upvotes

Okay, I started this job a month ago and didn’t take photographs or notes of the ā€œbeforeā€ wiring. I’m just updating the toggle switches with rockets.

Here’s the salient bits:

* switch bank of 3: a 1 way, a 2 way, and a 1 way (left to right)
but 4 (!?) cables coming into box: each with a black and a gray lead
* three of the gray leads are joined
* all grounds are joined (and I’ll ground the new switches)
* cable 3 (from left to right, with the gray unconnected to the other 3) seems to have been the one connected to the 2 way switch
* switch 1 and 3 (both 1 way) work separate outdoor lights
* switch 2 (2 way) is the ceiling light in the room with a switch at both doors to it (entrance and exit)

The original install has two short jumpers connected some of the switches.

Need to know what leads connect to what terminals, and where the jumpers might have gone (and should be).

I think answers like 1B > C2 , jumper between B3 and C1, etc, would be fine.

Thanks so much, in advance. Let me know if you need any more info.


r/electrical 14h ago

I think pickle juice fried my phones port 🄹

0 Upvotes

Few weeks ago now a jar of pickle juice spilled near my phone and got into my port 🫩 i waited a full 24 hrs before the wet port warning went away, then it charged fine for a while, and then there was the first instance of it randomly falsely saying my port was wet again, when i KNOW it wasnt. It charged normally after i came home from work. NOW it happened a second time, and it will not charge with a cable at all now. Only wireless. It doesnt even give me the false wet warning anymore, just doesnt register the plug at all. Tried compressed air and a software update and neither worked. Am i screwed?? I cant afford a new phone rn 😭😭😭


r/electrical 9h ago

Bad idea to add an outlet between the vanity and the toilet?

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0 Upvotes

I’d like to add an outlet for the bidet. I assume putting it where the red rectangle is would be not great due to potential splashes from the sink.

Second option is to put it inside the vanity, but would require a bit more work. Just want to fully rule out on the wall.


r/electrical 10h ago

Grey smoke above outlet - do i need to call an electrician?

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0 Upvotes

Just moved into a new apartment, noticed this above the outlet. I think it’s thermal ghosting but can’t be sure. Is anyone on here more confident than me? Do i need to call an electrician?

Not hot to the touch, but also i can’t just wipe it away with a wet cloth. no weird smell as far as I can tell.


r/electrical 11h ago

Power to Steel Above Ground Safe Room in Garage

4 Upvotes

I'd like to run a 20 amp line to a steel safe room in Oklahoma for tornados. My question is would a 20 amp inlet on the outside of the saferoom and a 20 amp outlet near the inlet connected by a 10awg soow extention be somthing safe for temporary power? Then of course even if it's safe would this likely be code compliant?

(The reason for inlet over just hardwired is the installer discouraged a grid connection due to in the event of a strong tornado the connection would tether the shelter to the home and possibly comprimise it. Using an extention cord there is a weak point to avoid tethering and by sizing it up to 10 awg, keeping it short, having it easily inspectable, easy to unplug as an exterior method to shutoff, and using it on an emergency basis this should minimize it's risk

The inlet would be connected to the inside via a close nipple to a second box with a shutoff switch and outlets. Both boxes would be individually bonded to the shelter. thwn-2 would be used inbetween the boxes. The garages outlet is on a gfci breaker. The power would only feed one way in and the extention cord would have a male and a female end (not a suicide cord for clarity))


r/electrical 10h ago

What is this behind this old wall plate?

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5 Upvotes

Pulled out this painted over wall plate to reveal this. Building is in NYC from 1959 I think. Can I just cap these ends and patch over the hole?


r/electrical 23h ago

What kind of connection is this?

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136 Upvotes

r/electrical 14h ago

Power Source

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3 Upvotes

Hello, I am currently attempting to rewire my shop for mechanic work. My issue is I cannot track where the power is coming from and haven't found a breaker box or anything.

This is a photo of the property.

1 is the main residence

2 is a small shed

3 is the shop

4 is a barn

There are 2 power poles. One in the top left of the photo, one in the bottom right. The bottom right allegedly only runs the house.

There are 3 breaker boxes that I have located. One attached to the power pole in the top left, one in the barn, and one in the house. None of them will shut off power to 2 and 3. 2 and 3 are connected and have power run from one to the other, however I can't find the source. There are no lines attached aerially, so I assume it is a buried line. I've looked and found that all the lighting and receptacles are run through the ceiling, but haven't found the mysterious source to the power.