Hi again,

I am on my last circuit & decided to lay in the wiring for my Mitsubishi water pumps one is a 205 & the other is a 305. I am not sure of the specs of the pumps as it is in Thai & my reading Thai skills suck.Does anyone know what gauge wires I should use. It will be wired into the rcb circuit.

I pick up the wire tomorrow at 10ish. The pump should be hooked into the rcb? This is an afterthought while I was on vacation I thought I better have the line pulled to move at a later date before the house is completed & it would be an oversight I can live without after painstakingly thought of every scenario(so I thought).

Thanks for the clue in. I appreciate all the help you guys have given me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Barry

Take photos of the spec plates & report back here asap.

Silly me it is a 200 watt & a 300 watt Elkangorito

Assuming you are using VCT 3 wire with the outer rubber sheathing for use in wet areas, 1.5mm max current is 16 amps and 2.5mm 23 amps. Using the fjormula Power (P) = Current (I) times Voltage (E), then 16 amps times 220 volts is 2520 watts; and 23 amps times 220 volts is 5060 watts. 0.5mm max current is 9 amps and 1.0mm max current is 12 amps. Even a 0.5mm wire could carry 1980 watts...about 6 times more than the 300 watts you mentioned.

See this Bangkok Wire web link for details: http://www.bangkokca...LOG/VCT3EN.HTML

FYI....see attachment which shows some easy to use Voltage, Current, Power, and Resistance Relationship / Ohms Law Charts, which should come in handy when trying to figure out electrical things.

Whilst Pib is correct in his assertions, there are other factors you need to consider. Particularly the length of the cable run and its associated volt drop when starting the pumps (much higher start current than that on the rating plate).

How far from the distribution board to the pump?

These pumps are most likely 'plug-in' units (they have a 2 or 3 pin plug, which then plug into a standard power outlet).

As such, the cable used for power outlets is minimum 2.5mm squared copper, usually VAF 2 or 3 core cable. (also known as TPS in the electrical world)

If you have 3 pin power outlets, the cable should have 3 cores - Active, Neutral & Earth. The Earth conductor must be green or green/yellow.

This cable should be protected by a maximum 20 amp circuit breaker or RCBO. The length of this cable should not exceed about 65m.

Try to buy cable that uses multistrand cores & not solid cores.

VAF wire is fine for "dry" locations like house wiring, but if any portion of the pump wiring is exposed to wet/damp areas (which I assume will occur since the pumps will probably be outdoors) that portion of the wiring should be VCT or similar wiring which is much more resilient against weather elements/water/etc.

Would you please like to explain why PVC insulated PVC sheathed cable (VAF aka TPS) can be 'buried direct' into the ground?

Do you really want a debate about this?

Beardog, is your pump similar to the one in the above pic (post #9)?

Would you please like to explain why PVC insulated PVC sheathed cable (VAF aka TPS) can be 'buried direct' into the ground?

Do you really want a debate about this?

You could indeed bury VAF cable but the PCV sheathing is not as resilient/protective/long lasting as VCT cable wth its rubber like sheathing in a wet/damp enviroment.

Some application notes from Bangkok Cable regarding VAF and VCT cable.

- VAF Application: For surface wiring, concealed wiring in wooden partition or above ceiling, embedded in plaster, dry location.

- VCT Application: For mobile-equipment used in mines, factories, farms or household appliances.

Beardog, is your pump similar to the one in the above pic (post #9)?

Just like that one in Mitsubishi. . The electrical team recommended 2.5 copper My choice of wire. The run goes for 38 meters to the distribution panel & will be hooked up into the rcbo.it has a 2 pin plug & I was going to run another grounding rod to the green cables that get grounded. I guess mitsubishi was indicating this was the acceptable way to ground the unit. Thanks for the help.

Provided your pump is next to the house & the location is protected from the weather (verandah/awning), a 'normal' GPO can be installed. This 'normal' GPO can be connected using 'normal' cable i.e. VAF (the 'normal' house wiring cable).

It is highly irregular & not warranted to use 'special' cable types for most domestic applications.

All you need is a power point so that you can plug-in the pump. Please do not consider another earth rod if you already have one installed on your property. Simply ensure that you use 3 core cable & connect the earth of this cable to the earth bar inside your consumer unit.

Provided your pump is next to the house & the location is protected from the weather (verandah/awning), a 'normal' GPO can be installed. This 'normal' GPO can be connected using 'normal' cable i.e. VAF (the 'normal' house wiring cable).

It is highly irregular & not warranted to use 'special' cable types for most domestic applications.

All you need is a power point so that you can plug-in the pump. Please do not consider another earth rod if you already have one installed on your property. Simply ensure that you use 3 core cable & connect the earth of this cable to the earth bar inside your consumer unit.

Will Do. Thanks gain Rob & all the gurus for the info!!!!!!!!!!!!