Help, Anyone knows electrical, this is 8/3 or 6/3 wire.

[ZooSean]

The text in wire not very clear.

 

[alsetym]

The insulation has writing on it, might be able to see it there. Otherwise, whatever fuse was on the system originally is usually the highest recommended if that is where you are going...no one puts a 6/3 line in and a 15a fuse.

 

[ZooSean]

The insulation has writing on it, might be able to see it there. Otherwise, whatever fuse was on the system originally is usually the highest recommended if that is where you are going...no one puts a 6/3 line in and a 15a fuse.

The only thing that I know is that it is connect to a 40amp breaker. But I have been told that 6/3 wire is installed.

 

[rdturner0]

What's the diameter of the wire with insulation?
Or take another photo with a tape measure.

Without scale, it's hard to tell. Looks about right for 6 AWG though...

 

[ZooSean]

What's the diameter of the wire with insulation?
Or take another photo with a tape measure.

Without scale, it's hard to tell. Looks about right for 6 AWG though...

It is about 4 - 5 mm diameter.

 

[johndorian]

Here's what my 6/3 looked like with insulation:

About the size of a loonie

 

[rdturner0]

It is about 4 - 5 mm diameter.

So mine with insulation is about 7-8 mm, the copper conductor is just a bit over 4 mm.

Looking at wikipedia, 8 AWG copper conductor diameter is 3.2 mm.

So if yours is 4-5 mm with insulation, it's likely 8 AWG.

 

[ZooSean]

Okay , thanks all for help. I pretty sure it is 8 AWG now

 

[iluvmacs]

It is just me, or are the neutrals not connected together? It looks like they each have shrinktube over the end, with no termination...

 

[rdturner0]

It is just me, or are the neutrals not connected together? It looks like they each have shrinktube over the end, with no termination...

For a 240V car charger, you only use L1, L2 and ground. Neutral is not used, and thus not supposed to be connected. Ideally, one would use 6/2 wire, but it's harder to get.

 

[iluvmacs]

For a 240V car charger, you only use L1, L2 and ground. Neutral is not used, and thus not supposed to be connected. Ideally, one would use 6/2 wire, but it's harder to get.

Yes, I know the EVSE does not use the neutral. But if I were wiring this, I still would have connected them together in the disconnect box (and just left it unterminated at the ends). The OP didn't really specify where in the circuit this box existed (or that it was even used for an EVSE, I guess!).

 

[rdturner0]

Yes, I know the EVSE does not use the neutral. But if I were wiring this, I still would have connected them together in the disconnect box (and just left it unterminated at the ends). The OP didn't really specify where in the circuit this box existed (or that it was even used for an EVSE, I guess!).

So that was my thought too, but talking with electricians, they say the opposite. They want no surprises, and only conductors in use should be connected.

Certainly the ESA inspector that inspected my wiring was okay with it being disconnected (and safely terminated, I used wire caps).

 

[03DSG]

So that was my thought too, but talking with electricians, they say the opposite. They want no surprises, and only conductors in use should be connected.

Certainly the ESA inspector that inspected my wiring was okay with it being disconnected (and safely terminated, I used wire caps).

Like this? ESA inspection this Thursday.

 

[rdturner0]

Like this? ESA inspection this Thursday.

View attachment 304370

Looks good to me.

 

[ksumnole]

Like this? ESA inspection this Thursday.

View attachment 304370

Looks good to me too.

In fact, ESA requires the unused wires to be disconnected and capped on each end. So you did it right.

 

[03DSG]

Looks good to me too.

In fact, ESA requires the unused wires to be disconnected and capped on each end. So you did it right.

Actually the contractor did. I’m fine with plumbing but when it come to wiring I won’t play with anything bigger than 14/2!