Bottom line is "what is the spec". EE/PE specs cu, then it's Cu. If spec is al, then that's it.
Our design/build jobs are cu, unless the client has a tight budget.
The above is for large services, anything else is cu.
With the market prices for a lot of metals heading for the roof, cu & al are up also.
(Seen prices for metal studs lately) Conduit & steel poles are heading up also.
We have pulled long runs of 600Cu, 750al, & Ryan's theory of ease with al is on the money, but you do what you have to.
The few resi jobs that we do are pipe & cu for 200 amp service.
John
