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Old 03-28-2016, 10:40 AM   #1
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New Solaire appears to have 12ga wire? Shouldn't it be 10ga?

Hello All,

I'm going through our Solaire and correcting all the little things that weren't right by the factory. So far the list is short... hopefully it won't lengthen or turn up big problems.

In planning for a power conditioner, I snapped a couple of quick pics of the area behind the breaker panel. I see a gold colored 'romex' coming in. It's not orange, and not yellow... so I can't tell without further removal if it's 12 gauge or 10 gauge wire. Has anyone else run into this? Can you tell me what gauge wire I'm looking at? If it's 12, I want to replace it with 10.

Thanks!
Andy
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Old 03-28-2016, 05:00 PM   #2
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If you look carefully, most modern wiring has the gauge printed on the insulation.


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Old 03-28-2016, 06:08 PM   #3
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Orange Romex is REALLY orange
That looks like yellow, 12 GA
Romex Color codes:
14 AWG – White
12 AWG – Yellow
10 AWG – Orange
8 AWG – Black
6 AWG – Black
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Old 03-28-2016, 07:12 PM   #4
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Thanks guys. I was hoping someone had their hands on theirs and could give me their thoughts. I took those pictures through the back of a drawer, and can't really get my eyes on, or zoomed into the pictures enough to read the jacket. Camper is all turtled up and I can't get to that drawer right now to pull it out.

If it really is 12ga... and I think Scott is right, that it is 12ga... I really think it should be 10ga. I guess it's unlikely that it's going to hurt anything, as I doubt I'll be doing enough to pull a full 30 AMPS.... but who knows.
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Old 03-29-2016, 12:19 PM   #5
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I agree, its 12 awg. What's the length of the run? At 23 feet and 30 amps the voltage drop is <2%; or at 34 feet <3%. If you consider from the pedestal (shore power) you should add the loss in the 10 awg cord. NEC calls for <3% for branch circuits and no more than a combined 5% drop for branch and feeder circuits. Depending on the length, you could be okay with 12 awg.
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Old 03-29-2016, 01:43 PM   #6
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Thanks WW. The length of the run is probably 3'. Maybe. I figured it was okay, but being that it is the primary connection between the shore connection on the trailer, and the PDU/breaker box, it would be better to have a 10ga wire.
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Old 03-29-2016, 02:07 PM   #7
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Well, if it is your primary connection to the pedestal and your panel is a 30 amp panel...and your plug is a 30 amp plug...it is not a legal installation. 12 GA is only rated at 20 amps. It has to be 10 ga to be legal, regardless of how long it is.

I would be surprised it they designed it that way since they have to pass NEC as well.
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Old 03-29-2016, 07:43 PM   #8
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Based on Table 310.16 of the code: 12AWG CU is allowed for 30 amps if it's Type TBS, SA, SIS, FEP, FEPB, MI, RHH, RHW-2, THHN, THHW, THW-2, THWN-2, USE-2, XHH, XHHW, XHHW-2, or ZW-2.

Check the labeling on sheath. I also think the device (devices) must have over current protection, which is the distribution panel with up to 20amp breaker protection provides.

I'm not so sure 240.4(D) has the final word.

Edited: I tried zooming in on the wire in question and I'm not so sure it is 12/2...not so sure it is yellow. My Hyperlite has 10/2 feeding the panel and it is definitely orange.
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Old 03-29-2016, 08:00 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WolfWhistle View Post
Based on Table 310.16 of the code: 12AWG CU is allowed for 30 amps if it's Type TBS, SA, SIS, FEP, FEPB, MI, RHH, RHW-2, THHN, THHW, THW-2, THWN-2, USE-2, XHH, XHHW, XHHW-2, or ZW-2.

Check the labeling on sheath. I also think the device (devices) must have over current protection, which is the distribution panel with up to 20amp breaker protection provides.

I'm not so sure 240.4(D) has the final word.
WW
Looks like type NM to me!
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Old 03-30-2016, 07:12 PM   #10
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Call off the dogs, and put out the fire. I finally got in there, got the drawer out, and got a hand on a wire at the right spot to get a look. It's 10ga... The jacket is still gold, though. LOL. Thanks everyone for the help and info!!!
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Old 03-30-2016, 07:35 PM   #11
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Uh-huh
Helps to read the label That is actually a high grade wire . moisture resistant, easy pull soft copper and flame retardant. Can't always go by color and you can't say unequivocally 10 ga is required for 30amps, but normally it should be.
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