[34ford]

What is the recommended gauge of wire to pull thru the walls for a 80 watt 220v laser? Possibly a Rabbit.

Is 10-3 sufficient? Or should I go with 8-3?

It is going to be about 75 feet.

[underthetire]

Really need to know full load current on the entire machine. A 80 watt light bulb would only pull .36amp, but a laser is a different animal.

[Exsecratio]

A tad over 1,100 watts total load for the machine, add in whatever other bits will be on the same circuit to get the total load. Factor in resistance over distance and you will get the gauge size.

Mine is 67 feet from the distribution box running on UK spec 6mm cable @ 240V for a total load of 32amps max current. The ring main inside the workshop runs on a 16 amp breaker and runs a compressor, lights , the laser, water pump and extraction.

[34ford]

Yea, I believe most of these are using 15amp 220v breakers. No where close to a home oven. I suppose 10 gauge would work. 8 would be nice.

[underthetire]

doesn't jive. 1100 watts at 240=4.5 amps ? I would believe the 32 amps or so, but the wattage sounds off.
handy calculator on this page.
American Wire Gauge table and AWG Electrical Current Load Limits with skin depth frequencies and wire strength

Looks like you would want 8 gauge for 32 amp service to avoid a power loss.

[34ford]

Thats good. Looks like 8-3 125ft. is about $180

[Exsecratio]

UTT, the wire I'm using between the consumer unit (80 amp RCD) and the workshop is rated at 38amps max its connected to a single side of the split load CU on a 32 amp type B MCD down to the workshop to a second box that has a short ring running on a 16 amp Type B Mains circuit and a 6amp Type B lighting circuit (both rings).

The machine at peak power draws 1100 watts + all the ancilliary stuff that draws another 1,000 watts @ 240 max.

It was all part 17 certified when installed about 9 months ago (external buildings are notifiable here)

cheers

Dave

ps: sorry if I was a bit unclear on what I had

[34ford]

No problem. I guess I was comparing the laser to a oven which has 40 or 50 amp beakers and using 8 or 6 gauge wire. I thought surely a laser doesn't draw that much.

[Al_The_Man]

Rabbit show the average power consumption of their machines as 12amp on 230vac. If so you do not really need #8, unless you want to prepare for other equipment later?
Don't you have the specifications for the machine?
Al.

[Exsecratio]

machines as 12amp on 230vac.

Sounds about right if the ancillaries are plugged into the sockets on the back of the machine. All mine are on separate plugs into the ring main.

Can't get to the back of mine at the moment but I recall the sockets having their ratings on them as well as the rating of the actual laser machine with nothing plugged in.

Mines running at the moment and the digital meter box is saying 4.11amps for the machine alone (its running at 95% power @ 40mm/ps) with another 7.21 amps on the ancillaries circuit.

(That's UK though @ 240V 50Hz) @ 67.2 feet5 from the CU

cheers

Dave

[underthetire]

Ya, surely don't need #8 for 12 amps. #10 should be fine, however remember per code if your running in conduit, every bend has to be calculated in when sizing wire.

[Exsecratio]

My American brothers you really need metric guys it makes sizes easy for us old people to understand

I know the imperial system was designed in England but honestly it's ok to change now we don't mind

cheers

Dave

ps: I'm American, I just happen to live here

[Al_The_Man]

My American brothers you really need metric guys

ps: I'm American, I just happen to live here

You had better get back here and spread the word!

You would have enjoyed the cable sizing when I learned my electrical training in the UK.
7/.029 = imperial 7 stranded version of 2.5mm² T&E
3/.029 = imperial 3 stranded version of 1mm² T&E
1/.044" T&E
Probably a lot of it still around.
Al.

[34ford]

Rabbit show the average power consumption of their machines as 12amp on 230vac. If so you do not really need #8, unless you want to prepare for other equipment later?
Don't you have the specifications for the machine?
Al.

Al, I am waiting on Ray to email me back, but he has been so busy he hasn't been getting back to my questions. I just wanted to see what prep I need prior to ordering.

Ya, surely don't need #8 for 12 amps. #10 should be fine, however remember per code if your running in conduit, every bend has to be calculated in when sizing wire.

No conduit. Just thru walls, attic, and crawl space.

[34ford]

I'm confused. I emailed Ray at Rabbit and I guess it was his wife said the 80 watt is 110v. Surely not?

[Al_The_Man]

Is that the RL-80? It shows 220v 12a on their web site?
Al.

[34ford]

The RL-80-9060 is what I am looking at. I know it says that for the 1290.

[Exsecratio]

I think the supplies are 110 for the US although I have no idea....

Lemme check something....something is nagging at me that says they will work on either but I just want to check...

cheers

Dave

[Exsecratio]

AC Input Voltage AC 220V or AC 110V
AC frequency 47~440HZ

I'm just gonna call the UK supplier of Rabbit type machines to double check