Power Cable Question

[storeman]

Fellas,
Two weeks ago I bid on a GL auction of contractor materials being disposed of on completion of the Tyson's Corner, VA and Dulles Airport Metro subway extension projects. Construction is complete and the Metro system is testing now.

Won a lot of heavy industrial items, such as 2/4/800 and 1200amp breakers that I am listing on the big auction site.

There was a power cable in one of the lots which I hoped was #4 or #6 to redo my house hook up. I did not preview the auction. Cable turned out to be 60' and 10' pieces of a cable called Portable Power Cable, 2000 volt dry, 1000 volt wet, size is 3/C #2AWG. Connectors can be put into perspective by my size 12 shoe.

Question is what generator would this cable be appropriate for? I guess I could install it as way overkill for a 10KW but don't know if it could be direct buried or put in 2" conduit. Thoughts?

Jerry

 

[Isaac-1]

#2 conductors in SO style cord is good for up to about 20KW, conductor size gets big fast as generators get larger

 

[TucsonVTXF]

it looks like aircraft power cable

 

[storeman]

Thanks.
It was used on the ground by civilian electricians working on the Metro stations. This is not a military item.
Jerry

 

[3dAngus]

What is the connector number. It should be marked.

 

[storeman]

I'll check it out when the freezing rain ends.

 

[Jimc]

nice score!! #2 so cord is nice stuff and expensive too.

 

[storeman]

I'm assuming you can't have too big a conductor. Now to figure out how and whether to install it or sell it. #4 or #6 would meet my needs.

 

[Jimc]

#6 is more than enough for a short run from an 003. no you cant have too big a conductor. the #2 will work fine also. decisions decisions

 

[Triple Jim]

#2 isn't ridiculously large. Every three numbers doubles current carrying capacity, so #2 is not even double #4, and is slightly more than double #6. I'd probably keep it and use it.

 

[s011883]

I use 120' # 4 SO cord to run my 003 generator at my house. I went with the #4 for voltage drop and so I could keep the generator 100' from the house. Those connectors that came with your cable cost big $$.