mm wrote:
On Thu, 28 Jun 2007 13:31:44 GMT, "Pete C."
wrote:
Tim Smith wrote:
In article ,
wrote:
On Wed, 27 Jun 2007 17:34:42 -0700, wrote:
I work for a major residential electrical
equipment maker (starts with a "S" and ends with "iemens")...and our
construction sales people tell me that the latest version of NEC
requires 4/0 aluminum wiring for 200amp service.
They are right
Does it require aluminum? If his current aluminum wiring doesn't meet
the current code and will have to be replaced, should he be considering
switching from aluminum at the same time?
--
--Tim Smith
That's certainly an option, but not essential. Aluminum wiring is not an
issue for these large gauges, it was only an issue when used in the
small gauge (14-10) general wiring in houses. It's mostly a cost and
personal preference issue as for service entrance use either is
I don't understand "personal preference". It looks good with my eyes?
I have stock in a copper company?
Aluminum conductors are more flexible than the equivalent copper
conductors and therefore easier to handle, especially for long pulls.
Copper conductors don't need to have anti-ox compound applied to the
connections. Current prices of each material come into play. The
physically smaller space occupied by the copper cable of a given current
rating can be a factor. Bottom line, personal preference as to which
issue are most important to you.
Are the only personal preference possibilities based on the
misunderstanding that aluminum in large gauges is not good,
AL wiring in small gauges and terminated at devices without the proper
ratings is not good.