Could someone tell me how many amps 500 MCM AL and 600 MCM AL is rated for?

Also, what size conduit do you think I'll need for 3 runs of 500 or 600?

Never worked with or bought this size wire before, so trying to better prepare myself when going to pick up our materials. Thanks!

This is all easily found in the NEC, or whatever code book you are following.

ANYONE buying this type of material should know what they are doing before even considering buying it.

This is all easily found in the NEC, or whatever code book you are following.

ANYONE buying this type of material should know what they are doing before even considering buying it.


I do not have a code book as I am not an electrician. I have put in a few 100 amp services in houses of ours that we renovated, but nothing larger like this 400/320 service. I came here looking for advice like most of the other DIY'ers. I know I can do the install, I just need a little guidance on few things to make sure it is done correctly the first time, so my inspector doesn't have any issues.

What Stan is trying to tell you that if you cannot answer that question, then you have no business doing that kind of electrical work that can get you killed dead.

I'm curious, if you have done this work before, did you have any trouble working with the power company? I ask this because the Power Co. owns the Service Entry Equipment right up to the connection onto your panel.

They have to approve of moving anything relating to their equipment. They also have to agree to upgrade the service from 100 amp to 200 amp.

You must have the AHJ in your area issue you the necessary permit and they have to inspect the final work, not your inspector.

The concern is that given that you can get dead doing this kind of work or make a mistake that causes the house to burn down is immediate. Please consider taking an Electricians course at the local Community college and please invest in a code book. Do that first!

What Stan is trying to tell you that if you cannot answer that question, then you have no business doing that kind of electrical work that can get you killed dead.

I'm curious, if you have done this work before, did you have any trouble working with the power company? I ask this because the Power Co. owns the Service Entry Equipment right up to the connection onto your panel.

They have to approve of moving anything relating to their equipment. They also have to agree to upgrade the service from 100 amp to 200 amp.

You must have the AHJ in your area issue you the necessary permit and they have to inspect the final work, not your inspector.

The concern is that given that you can get dead doing this kind of work or make a mistake that causes the house to burn down is immediate. Please consider taking an Electricians course at the local Community college and please invest in a code book. Do that first!



I am by no means an electrician, but I have done whole house re-wires, small commercial re-wire (sandwich shop) and various other wiring projects, so I am capable of doing this project. I check and re-check my work and am probably more cautious than most electricians. My power company (Allegheny Power, PA) only owns up to the triplex splice. I have to provide my own meter box, service wire, service cap, etc... I only need their permission if I wish to move the service entry more than 15 feet from the closest corner of my property to their pole. Other than that, I just call them and tell them what I'm doing and they do the disconnect. Once I am finished, the local inspector looks over the completed work and if approved, he makes a call and the power co, does a re-connect. The power company never inspects the work or signs off on it, if the inspector is happy, they are happy.


If nobody wants to help me by answering my question, that is fine. I thought that is what this site if here for.

Steve,

OK, I need to know the load that the service cables have to carry, how long is the run, are you using a lateral or overhead run? We know you are planning on using AL.

Are you going to use one main panel and a sub-panel? What are your design plans.

Also, you can get the NEC 2008 code book at Barnes and Noble. Its about $70. Or you can check with your inspector and find out what code level is required by the AHJ.

I don't use Aluminum, and can't right now find Code Book. Longer runs may require increasing wire size. Some of My best work was done before I was a Licensed Contractor/Master. I don't worry about people so much like yourself/myself, I worry about the Engineers that ask for questions on their Test to get Their Diploma and High Paying job, And can create a Disaster on a much Larger Scale, if hired by a large firm.
If your Inspector Passes your work, it is likely OK, Or it can come back on him. If someone doesn't provide Ampacity of 500 and 600 MCM, I will locate.
I live where there are Contractors who sign off for others that are not Qualified, or they would have their license. Some of the worst and most dangerous work I have seen.

I'm curious, if you have done this work before, did you have any trouble working with the power company? I ask this because the Power Co. owns the Service Entry Equipment right up to the connection onto your panel. Not true for all jurisdictions.



Could someone tell me how many amps 500 MCM AL and 600 MCM AL is rated for?
Also, what size conduit do you think I'll need for 3 runs of 500 or 600? Not enough information. Based on T.310.16: 500KCMIL( Alum)=310A 600KCMIL=340A
Conduit size (Assuming RNC Sch 40)=3" for the 500x3 Kcmil, and 4" for the 600x3 Kcmil. Note: 600 x3 Kcmil can be ran in 3", but that wouldn't be a wise decision.


Never worked with or bought this size wire before, so trying to better prepare myself when going to pick up our materials. Thanks! Now, If I would have said anything about your skill level-strangely enough- I would have been jumped on! :)

Please provide more details?

Wash,

You never get jumped on by me!

Question, why did you select the center column of T.130.16 (Aluminum)? Was it because you do not have enough information and settled on middle of the road?

Wash,

You never get jumped on by me!

Question, why did you select the center column of T.130.16 (Aluminum)? Was it because you do not have enough information and settled on middle of the road?

Some assumption, and see NEC 110.14

Ok, I read the 110.14 Ampacity section, thank you.

Not enough information. Based on T.310.16: 500KCMIL( Alum)=310A 600KCMIL=340A
Conduit size (Assuming RNC Sch 40)=3" for the 500x3 Kcmil, and 4" for the 600x3 Kcmil. Note: 600 x3 Kcmil can be ran in 3", but that wouldn't be a wise decision.
This is a residential (I assume since this is DIY work) service. WHY are you using 310.16.
We use 310.15(B)(6) for sizing residential services.

If this is not single family residential, and his own house, he has NO PLACE doing this work. Residential.

This is a residential (I assume since this is DIY work) service. WHY are you using 310.16.
We use 310.15(B)(6) for sizing residential services.

If this is not single family residential, and his own house, he has NO PLACE doing this work. residential.
310.15(B)(6) cannot be used for all residential service installs (Please explain). There is no restrictions on using T.310.16 in this case. Also, the OP never mentioned residential.




I agree with your intentions (safety), but

Do not express your anger towards me. You need to gear your anger someplace else! If you have a beef with the OP, then talk to him about it! Note: We cannot control what people are going to do, we can only try to help them do it right! Some jurisdictions do not have electrical inspections, so if the OP was working on his house, or a neighbors house--it wouldn't matter.

Also, why can't a seasoned (OP claims to be seasoned) person ask an electrical question?

Also, (again) read what I wrote!!

310.15(B)(6) cannot be used for all residential service installs (please explain). OK, please explain. I'd truly like to know why not. :confused:

(6) 120/240-Volt, 3-Wire, Single-Phase Dwelling Services and Feeders For individual dwelling units of one family, two-family, and multifamily dwellings, conductors, as listed in Table 310.15(B)(6), shall be permitted as 120/240-volt, 3-wire, single-phase service-entrance conductors, service lateral conductors, and feeder conductors that serve as the main power feeder to each dwelling unit and are installed in raceway or cable with or without an equipment grounding conductor. For application of this section, the main power feeder shall be the feeder(s) between the main disconnect and the lighting and appliance branch-circuit panelboards(s). The feeder conductors to a dwelling unit shall not be required to have an allowable ampacity rating greater than their service-entrance conductors. The grounded conductor shall be permitted to be smaller than the ungrounded conductors, provided the requirements of 215.2, 220.61, and 230.42 are met.



With the exception of 3-phase, what are the limitations you mentioned??





Also, why can't a seasoned (OP claims to be seasoned) person ask an electrical question?
IMO because this is a DIY site. A "seasoned" electrician would know EXACTLY where to go to get this information, and a DIY web site is NOT the place. You and I both know that.


Wash, I expressed no anger towards you. On the contrary, you seem angry to me. I even stated this in another thread before reading this one.
Oh well.

Sorry stan, I've been busy. Not ignoring you.

There is an except, and you mentioned it.

Please note that you are not required to use T.310.15 when sizing dwell services and feeders.

Also, you can only use T.310.15 if all requirements are meet.

Also, I've seen 500Kcmil used on residential services. :)

Aren't you happy they clarified what main power feed means in the 2008! ;)
Sorry, for the late response. :)