Any electricians out there?

**PawPaw Gene** · 03-10-2018, 11:39 AM

I need to make a run from my house to my shed. I should be using some # 8 wire. I have an abundance of # 10 wire. Can I join two lenghts of # 10 for each leg to gain capacity? In other words I will have 2 wires for the line, 2 for the common, and 2 for the ground, each set joined at both ends.
"gene"

**"G"** · 03-10-2018, 11:52 AM

Send Speck a PM....he is a electrician

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**Tracker123** · 03-10-2018, 01:36 PM

Electrically, multiple smaller wires in parallel act as one larger wire. Your question becomes a legal issue, not a electrical one. I suspect that it's NOT allowed to parallel multiple smaller wires and then assume the whole is rated for the sum of the currents of each of the wires. Check the local code. Varies by jurisdiction.

The problem I would find in that is the case is that one of the conductors becoming disconnected causing overheating in the other conductor.

**"G"** · 03-10-2018, 02:34 PM

What Randy said.....my concern is....you wrap the two ends together and say you leave a single tag end to connect or wrap around a screw or what ever....then that connection would be the weakest link and you could have a heat problem. I would recommend going with the 8 guage wire. This is going to be connected to your house and you do not want to put itin jepardy. What your saying might work....but its kinda like stealing chickens....that works pretty good sometimes untill you get caught

**Johnnywad** · 03-10-2018, 03:42 PM

It is not legal per the NEC. Article 310.10. Wire must be 1/0 or larger to installed in parallel. With that being said, theoretically it gives 60A capacity. Me personally, I'd stay away from it.

**PawPaw Gene** · 03-10-2018, 08:33 PM

Thanks for the input and concerns about the safety of doing it that way. The problem is solved as a friend told me about an hour ago that he had the wire that I need and it’s mine for the taking.
“gene”

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**SeaRay** · 03-12-2018, 05:23 PM

Ironically I did this on my boat. I had some #10 wire and realized it was not enough for my TM so I ran a parallel #12 with the 10. Have not shorted out yet, but the day is young.

**jig rig** · 03-12-2018, 06:55 PM

I'm sure you got that solved PPG. I wuz thinkin you might sale some beets and buy the correct wire.

**jig rig** · 03-12-2018, 06:57 PM

Originally Posted by SeaRay

Ironically I did this on my boat. I had some #10 wire and realized it was not enough for my TM so I ran a parallel #12 with the 10. Have not shorted out yet, but the day is young.

Your boat is DC SR. PPG doing AC. If You got a quality breaker on your TM it should protect you.

**Fish on Line** · 03-15-2018, 10:43 AM

I was curious of the Amperage needed in the shed. A # 10 wire is good up to 30 Amps depending on the length of the wire. Enough to run a freezer and lighting or an Air Conditioner.

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