Aluminum Service Entrance Cable path alongside exterior wall

Is aluminum wire safe for service entrance?

Yes. For service conductors aluminum is perfectly acceptable and typical in many/most places.

Can Ser cable be exposed outside?

SE cable also cannot be used for exterior branch circuit or feeder wiring, unless the installation complies with the provisions of Part I of Article 225 and is properly supported. USE shall not be used for interior wiring at all since it does not have a flame-retardant covering.

How do you pass cable through an outside wall?

Use cable clamps to hold wire in place. Always insert feed-through bushings into holes through siding, and seal them with silicone caulk. TV and Internet signals are the only things coaxial cables should be bringing into your house, but improperly installed cables can let in water, which can lead to rot and mold.

Does service entrance cable have to be in conduit?

(1) Service-Entrance Cables.



So, you’ll either need to have this service-entrance re-run with a conduit, or see if you can get your local electrical inspectors to sign off on using bollards (i.e. concrete-filled metal poles) to protect the meter pan and service cabling as Machavity suggests.

Is aluminum wiring illegal?

Aluminum wiring is not illegal, but it is no longer up to code and new homes are now built with copper wiring. If you are thinking about buying or selling a home with aluminum wiring, you will be ok as long as you follow the instructions on how to deal with it.

Why is aluminum wire used for service entrance?

Aluminum service entrance cables are cheaper, lighter, and generally easier to install, whereas copper cables are more durable with superior electric conductivity.

Is Ser cable sunlight resistant?

Type SE, Style SER Service Entrance Cable. 600 Volt. Individual Conductors Rated XHHW-2 or THHN/THWN. Jacket and Individual Conductors Sunlight Resistant.

When used as an outside service entrance conductor SE cable must be secured every?

When used as a branch circuit or feeder, Type SE cable must be supported and secured in accordance with 334.30 at intervals not exceeding 4½ feet and within 1 foot of every outlet box, junction box, cabinet or fitting.

Can you run Ser cable under a house?

Ok with the overprotection protection prior to entering the home envelope you can run the cable without conduit. With that size cable a perpendicular run no running board is needed according to the NEC 334.15. c this is exposed work in basements and crawl spaces for NM #6 and larger do not need a running board.

Can I use PVC conduit for service entrance?

It can be conduit or direct burial. Above ground to 18″ below ground it would need to be schedule 80 PVC or could be rigid metallic or IMC. Below 18″ schedule 40 would work. If you go with direct burial it needs to be 24″ with the sections above 24″ protected by schedule 80 or rigid metallic or IMC as a quick overview.

Can you run aluminum wire in conduit?

USE-2/RHH/RHW-2 aluminum building wire is rated for direct burial and intended for general purpose applications utilized in conduit, underground in conduit, or other recognized raceways for services, feeders, and branch-circuit wiring.

What are the support requirements for service entrance cable?

(A) Service-Entrance Cables



Service-entrance cables shall be supported by straps or other approved means within 300 mm (12 in.) of every service head, gooseneck, or connection to a raceway or enclosure and at intervals not exceeding 750 mm (30 in.).

What is aluminum service wire?

Aluminum SER cable is primarily used as panel feeder in multiple unit dwellings and for branch circuits. Maximum operating temperature is not to exceed 90°C in wet or dry locations. Voltage rating is 600 volts.

Can I use aluminum wire for the ground to a subpanel?

YES you can use #4 Al as your ground. Your 1AWG Al is good for a 100 AMP feeder (actually 110). From NEC 250.122 this requires an #8 CU or #6 Al ground wire as a minimum (or 6CU and 4 Al if you are really running a 110Amp Feeder).

How do I know what size aluminum wire to use?

The wire-gauge size is printed or embossed on the wire jacket.

When sizing from copper to aluminum The aluminum wire should be?

A commonly used rule-of-thumb for converting the two conductor metals is to have aluminum two AWG sizes larger than copper for equivalency. This works in most cases when one is working inside the American Wire Gage system.

Can you mix copper and aluminum wiring?

Aluminum and Copper Wiring Together



As long as the two are kept separate, this is not an issue. However, if copper and aluminum wiring are joined together using a simple twist-on splice, that presents an extra hazard because of their differing diameters and differing rates of expansion when heated and cooled.

What size aluminum wire do I need for 100 amp service?

For 100 AMP service, you’ll need a #4 AWG copper wire or #2 AWG aluminum or copper-clad wire. Make sure to limit your voltage drop to 3% regardless of distance.

How many amps can aluminum wire handle?

Wire Size & Amp Ratings

What size aluminum wire do you need for a 200 amp service?

The Short Answer: For a 200 amp service, you’ll need a #4/0 aluminum wire.

What is 2 2 2 4 aluminum wire amp rating?

Ampacity at 90°C: 100 Amps.

How many amps will #2 aluminum wire carry?

Allowable Ampacities of Insulated Aluminum or CopperClad Aluminum Conductors

How many amps can #4 aluminum carry?

Ampacity at 90°C: 205 Amps.