I have 200 feet of wire run from an electrical box to a electric motor that is not getting enough amps. I am tring not to run a new wire from the breaker box so if I cut the wire a few feet from the box and run a bigger wire say from 10' of 10-2 to 190' of 6-2 will I get less of a drop?
Generally, electrical codes do not allow you to use parallel leads to service loads. That being said, if you DO connect 3 parallel wires to 1 short wire of the same size, your voltage drop will be basically one third of your existing voltage drop. Again, if you DO use the 6c #2 as planned, be sure to ensure your individual cable wires are exactly the same length, both the new cable and the existing cable. edit your question and include your voltage and motor FLA (full load current), and I or someone else can calculate your voltage drop. Or, send me an email. TexMav
Run the new wire and fix it so that it is in parallel with the existing wire. Anything you do to increase the cross sectional area of the cable will result in less resistance and in consequence better current at the using end.
If the motor you are running is 120 Volts, consider getting a new one. A 240V volt load will draw 1/2 the amperage, and save you from replacing the wiring. You'd have to replace the breaker, and means of disconnect, but should save you some of the grunt work.
If you have a under rated wire in the line, even that shorter distance you created, it would over load that gauge capacity and heat up. Hazard Warning. But to analize the drop for study sakes. I don't know.
