Ask Me Help Desk - Where to connect the blk/red, blk/white, black wires in a 2-2-2-4 aluminum cable

I am needing to connect main power from the meter to my 100amp Square D service panel using a 2-2-2-4 aluminum wire. After reading a previous comment, I am confused as to where these wires connect. There is a blk/red, blk/white, black, and of course a ground. I assume the blk/red and black are "Hot" and the blk/white is the neutral. If true, the blk/white connects to the neutral bus bar in my panel, which is tied into the grounding bar. Do I need to remove the jumper between the "neutral" and the grounds from my branch circuits? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Why are you using aluminum wire in the first place? This has not been used in homes since the 1970's. Aluminum is not recommended for home use due to not being able to withstand the voltage and the heat. Try copper wire instead.

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinkiedooter

Why are you using aluminum wire in the first place? This has not been used in homes since the 1970's. Aluminum is not recommended for home use due to not being able to withstand the voltage and the heat. Try copper wire instead.

This is not at all correct with regard to the poster.

Aluminum wire is perfectly typical and acceptable for services, feeders and larger branch circuits. The problem with AL was with small conductors #10 and smaller.

Also, your reasoning for it's non-use are NOT correct. AL is FINE for withstanding heat and "voltage". The problem was with terminations.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kleinisrad

I am needing to connect main power from the meter to my 100amp Square D service panel using a 2-2-2-4 aluminum wire. After reading a previous comment, I am confused as to where these wires connect. There is a blk/red, blk/white, black, and of course a ground. I assume the blk/red and black are "Hot" and the blk/white is the neutral. If true, the blk/white connects to the neutral bus bar in my panel, which is tied into the grounding bar. Do I need to remove the jumper between the "neutral" and the grounds from my branch circuits? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

All right, I am confused. WHY did you (or someone) run 2-2-2-4 SER cable?
You need 2-2-2 or 2-2-4 SEU cable.
There is NO grounding conductor run between the meter and the service equipment/panel. In your case you should really re-run the cable with the proper SEU. If you don't, kind of a sloppy fix is to simply cut off the ground at each enclosure so that it cannot be used at all.
Terminate the white at the neutral bar and leave the bond screw/strap in place.

I felt I needed to address this answer also, to agree with and confirm Stan's response:

Quote:

Originally Posted by twinkiedooter

Why are you using aluminum wire in the first place? This has not been used in homes since the 1970's. Aluminum is not recommended for home use due to not being able to withstand the voltage and the heat. Try copper wire instead.

To give advice such as this illustrates a lack of complete knowledge of electrical wiring. While branch circuit wiring no longer uses aluminum wire, feeders using #6 or larger is widely used, esp for service entrance feeders.

Most new homes for many years till now, and into the future, use aluminum feeder cable.

The poster,obviously, is aware that aluminum cable is available, as he/she already has purchased the product, and is asking how to connect it.

Here is a list of popular products from a popular aluminum wire manufacturer:

http://www.cable.alcan.com/alcancabl...Wire+Products/

Stan is also correct that a equipment grounding conductor (EGC) typically is not needed between a meter and panel, what is not clear is where is the Main Disconnect located?

This can be a case of the Main being located at or somehow otherwise combined with the meter, in which case, 4 wire with a EGC is required.

So, to clarify and summarize, if the Main breaker is at the meter, need 4 wire between the meter and panel, if the Main breaker is in the panel, need 3 wire between the meter and panel.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkrussell

Stan is also correct that a equipment grounding conductor (EGC) typically is not needed between a meter and panel, what is not clear is where is the Main Disconnect located?

This can be a case of the Main being located at or somehow otherwise combined with the meter, in which case, 4 wire with a EGC is required.

So, to clarify and summarize, if the Main breaker is at the meter, need 4 wire between the meter and panel, if the Main breaker is in the panel, need 3 wire between the meter and panel.

Good point.

It is entirely possible that the service equipment that I mentioned is right at, or within the same enclosure as, the meter. This would change things if that were the case.