SELVAKUMAR writes:
For an electrical housing application we are thinking of using single core 4 Sqmm copper multistrand wire. Would it be better to use two runs of single core 2.5 Sqmm copper wire?
Hi there, 4mm's pretty heavy duty, are you installing a shower or ring main perhaps? 2x 2.5 can be good for rings where you have one 'going in' and one 'coming out' and provides a certain amount of redundancy if 1x 2.5 will bear your calculated current load. 4mm as I recall is quite difficult to work with and jolly heavy!
Running 2 smaller conductors always makes for an easier,more uniform installation. Although the length of your pull is a factor,Because you will have to make 2 pulls. Is it worth it? Also if the conductor is your "line" you must use a single conductor large enough to carry your load. Two twenty amp breakers does not equal forty ammps. Yuo can not place two reduced sized conductors under one breaker lug because if one conductor fails the other would attempt to carry the entire load. This woud be a fire risk.More info is needed to accurately answer your question. Hope I was some help. Also this is by American Standards. Other locations may hve different guidelines.
Don't you have an electrical building code? This should dictate the "shall" and "shall not" for wiring.
I would question running two lines instead of one. The problem that comes to mind is when one wire connector fails, all the current is forced onto a single wire.
You would not be aware of this condition. It sounds like a safe backup, but what happens is all of the current for that circuit is forced to run on one line, which may be underrated for the circuit. Bottom line: you could risk a fire.
I would urge you to check your local building codes and follow those rules to the letter. Doing otherwise may create a legal liability if something goes wrong.
Electrical wiring question
