[shader]

General question on triplex wire size.

My house was built in the mid 60s (new construction) & 100 amps. The wire from the weatherhead through to the panel is #2 AL.

While working on the roof I took a close look at the triplex service wire and the conductors and messenger are both visibly smaller than the #2AL. Also, the ungrounded conductors are solid (I can see into the butt connectors). A quick search for triplex wire showed the #2 will handle something like 125 amps, and a #6 would handle 95 amps, though this seemed to vary depending on the "type" of wire, insulation, etc.

My question, if it's for 100 amp service, wouldn't the triplex service wire have to be #2AL also, or is there some electrical reason for the difference is size?

[stanfortyman]

The reason is that that wire is owned, installed and maintained by the power company. They play by their own rules, not the NEC.

Also, conductors in free air have a much higher ampacity than those in cable or conduit.

[shader]

Makes perfect sense. Thanks