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I have been trying to find the least expensive but reliable cable for both phone and electricity. My first Tico builder used aluminum electric cable which I did not like but the cost of copper seems to be prohibitive. I need to know at least the minimum size (or rating)for either copper or aluminum according to Costa Rican codes. The same applies to phone lines from the road to house. Those contractors I have asked seem to be going for the most expensive cable they can get to make more profit (no surprise here.)So I just want to know the minimum required and work my own way up from there.
David, I can’t comment on the requirements of the building code, but I can tell you that the size of the incoming electricity cable (copper or aluminum) that is required will depend upon the anticipated electrical demand and the distance from the street to the house. Voltage drops over distance, so longer distances require heavier cables.
Were it mine to do, I’d measure the distance to be covered and consult an electrical engineer. There are published standards for how large a cable you need to span a given distance.
Everything that David Murray stated is correct. As a rule of thumb, a typical home should have cable #12 to provide adequate electricity throughout the residence. For kitchens with various electrical appliances use cable #8. For the connection from the electric meter to the typical 90-amp breaker panel, cable #4 us usually adequate for distances up to 25 meters. For longer than 25-meter distances, cable #2 will be required. If you are working with a qualified electrician, he should know these details. If not, you may end up with a home where the lights dim when you turn on the oven. It is best not to try the “Do It Yourself” method. Some people, in trying to save some dollars, avoid the work of finding a qualified tradesman to install the correct materials according to modern construction standards. There is no yellow brick road in Costa Rica. Do your homework, just as you would do anywhere else. Find professionals, whom you can communicate with, and stay with them for as long as they continue to provide good work. Good luck!
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