I had a garage built and am wiring the building with 200A service
myself. At Lowe's, they have a sign that says the lead-in cabling for
200A service needs to be 4/0 - 4/0 - 4/0 - 2/0 aluminum cable. But,
one of their workers says that is wrong that the service cable must be
that size, but in copper. Anyone know for sure?

On 12 Nov 2006 12:24:21 -0800, "Rick" wrote:

I had a garage built and am wiring the building with 200A service
myself. At Lowe's, they have a sign that says the lead-in cabling for
200A service needs to be 4/0 - 4/0 - 4/0 - 2/0 aluminum cable. But,
one of their workers says that is wrong that the service cable must be
that size, but in copper. Anyone know for sure?


Dont do the work yourself, and don't hire that HD worker to do the
work.

Get a qualifed electrician, since from your post I'm not sure if you
want a new service, or a subpanel.

later,

tom @ www.Consolidated-Loans.info

Rick wrote:
I had a garage built and am wiring the building with 200A service
myself. At Lowe's, they have a sign that says the lead-in cabling for
200A service needs to be 4/0 - 4/0 - 4/0 - 2/0 aluminum cable. But,
one of their workers says that is wrong that the service cable must be
that size, but in copper. Anyone know for sure?


You don't provide enough information to answer the question. Is this
cable to be used before or after the first disconnecting means? Is the
service to your home to be single phase or three phase? Is the service
supplied via overhead or underground conductors?
--
Tom Horne

"This alternating current stuff is just a fad. It is much too dangerous
for general use." Thomas Alva Edison

Tom Horne, Electrician wrote:
Rick wrote:
I had a garage built and am wiring the building with 200A service
myself. At Lowe's, they have a sign that says the lead-in cabling for
200A service needs to be 4/0 - 4/0 - 4/0 - 2/0 aluminum cable. But,
one of their workers says that is wrong that the service cable must be
that size, but in copper. Anyone know for sure?


You don't provide enough information to answer the question. Is this
cable to be used before or after the first disconnecting means? Is the
service to your home to be single phase or three phase? Is the service
supplied via overhead or underground conductors?
--
Tom Horne

"This alternating current stuff is just a fad. It is much too dangerous
for general use." Thomas Alva Edison

The cable will be before the first disconnect. It will lead from the
connection point where the electric company will provide service up to
the meter base and then from there into the main breaker panel. The
main service disconnect is on the main breaker panel. The service is
three-phase and underground.

Thanks

Tom Horne, Electrician wrote:
Rick wrote:
I had a garage built and am wiring the building with 200A service
myself. At Lowe's, they have a sign that says the lead-in cabling for
200A service needs to be 4/0 - 4/0 - 4/0 - 2/0 aluminum cable. But,
one of their workers says that is wrong that the service cable must be
that size, but in copper. Anyone know for sure?


You don't provide enough information to answer the question. Is this
cable to be used before or after the first disconnecting means? Is the
service to your home to be single phase or three phase? Is the service
supplied via overhead or underground conductors?
--
Tom Horne

"This alternating current stuff is just a fad. It is much too dangerous
for general use." Thomas Alva Edison

Tom Horne, Electrician wrote:
Rick wrote:
I had a garage built and am wiring the building with 200A service
myself. At Lowe's, they have a sign that says the lead-in cabling for
200A service needs to be 4/0 - 4/0 - 4/0 - 2/0 aluminum cable. But,
one of their workers says that is wrong that the service cable must be
that size, but in copper. Anyone know for sure?

You don't provide enough information to answer the question. Is this
cable to be used before or after the first disconnecting means? Is the
service to your home to be single phase or three phase? Is the service
supplied via overhead or underground conductors?
--
Tom Horne

"This alternating current stuff is just a fad. It is much too dangerous
for general use." Thomas Alva Edison

Rick wrote:
The cable will be before the first disconnect. It will lead from the
connection point where the electric company will provide service up to
the meter base and then from there into the main breaker panel. The
main service disconnect is on the main breaker panel. The service is
three-phase and underground.

Thanks


gfretwell has answered the question. The cable you described in your
original post is suitable for the single phase feeder between the main
disconnecting means and the lighting and appliance panel board/s in a
residence but it is not allowed for the service entry conductors of a
three phase two hundred ampere dwelling service.
--
Tom Horne

"This alternating current stuff is just a fad. It is much too dangerous
for general use." Thomas Alva Edison

2/0 is sufficient for 200A in copper.

--
Steve Barker

"Rick" wrote in message
ups.com...
I had a garage built and am wiring the building with 200A service
myself. At Lowe's, they have a sign that says the lead-in cabling for
200A service needs to be 4/0 - 4/0 - 4/0 - 2/0 aluminum cable. But,
one of their workers says that is wrong that the service cable must be
that size, but in copper. Anyone know for sure?