Aluminum service entrance Wire - plus and minus 2

[bobgroh]

I have been asked by a friend on whether or not he should use aluminum wire on a new service entrance he is having installed at his small RV park. The electrical service is 240 VAC, 800A using 2 feeders from a common service drop. The local electricians are not at all enthused about using aluminum wire but it is so much cheaper that my friend is highly inclined to go with aluminum. It will only be used from the service heads down to the main disconnect (4x200A main breakers) and then from each 200A breaker into the building and into existing 200A power panels. I have checked and the main disconnect and the 200A power panels are rated for both aluminum and copper. I also said that, with care in installation, the aluminum should be adequate (as mentioned the cost savings are considerable). The wire is appropriately sized per NEC and is allowed by code in the county. All comments would be most welcome.

 

[waross]

Buy some Penetrox, No-Alox or other approved anti-oxidant for aluminum wire. Don't depend on the electricians to have it or to get it if they don't have it. Wire brush the ends of the cable and immediately apply antioxidant. Some engineers prefer to have the anti-oxidant applied before wire brushing. The aluminum oxide film that causes some of the problems with aluminum connections forms rapidly.
Compression lugs are a good option if the tooling is available to install them. Use the wire brush and anti-oxidant on the cable before installing the compression lugs.

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[dpc]

As Bill indicates, if it is properly installed using proper fittings, aluminum conductors should be fine.

Utilities routinely use aluminum for almost all underground distribution circuits and their portions of service entrance cables.

Copper is more forgiving of lousy installation practices.

 

[bobgroh]

Thanks to waross and dpc for their replies. I have passed the information on to my friend and will emphasize the importance including the fact that he should get the anti-oxidant and pass it on to the electrician! Your help is greatly appreciated.