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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 28
B
Bomzin Offline OP
Member
I was having a discussion with someone on a differant board and it was brought up that Aluminum wire could not be used to feed from service to panel. It was a not an electrician. Is this true and what is the reasoning behind it. Here in the state of Utah it is all that is used and don't see any problems with it when used correctly.

He also stated that for any home that is going to have central AC they had a 200 amp minimun on service requirments. Regardless of your load calculations.

Whats the scoop on this.
Thanks Bomzin

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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 706
T
Member
In my experience the issues of aluminum wiring and 200-amp minimum services are both local ammendments to the NEC by the AHJ, not Code issues.

Dave

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 814
B
Member
I have been told various things by mis informed people as well. The last one was that #14 wire is no longer allowed in new construction. This same person was "helping" a friend with a 200 amp upgrade, they were at Home Depot buying a piece of 2" EMT for the overhead riser. (Our POCO requires IMC). I just smiled at them and said good morning.

Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 106
J
Member
My granddad was a wise man. One of the few times that he spoke he told me that it is sometimes better to keep thy mouth shut and thought a fool than to open it and let it be known.

This is a good example to a good time to keep his mouth shut.
[Linked Image]


Mike
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 28
B
Bomzin Offline OP
Member
Ok so it looks like Tiger thinks this is true with local codes writing it in and possibly 2 that think this is mis information.

I see it as possible, Tiger do you know this to be true or just taking a guess? Who is AHJ?

ty
Neil

Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 28
B
Bomzin Offline OP
Member
Doh, Authority having juristiction , I knew that. Just put in an e-mail to the city inspector. Will post when I get info from the source.

Neil

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 693
L
Member
I've seen homes with what was no doubt a greater current load in window A/C's than a central system would have provided.

Unless one is going all-electric, replacing several window units with a central system doesn't always need a service upgrade.


Larry Fine
Fine Electric Co.
fineelectricco.com
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
Larry You might be right in a practical sense because the window shaker load is hiding in the 3va per foot general lighting. Once you make it an HVAC load it has to be taken at nameplate value.


Greg Fretwell
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 60
M
Member
Really??? Aren't window shakers considered fastened-in-place equipment and therefore have to be tallied on a service calculation (that is assuming they were planned for when the electrician installed the service).


Mark
Kent, WA
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 28
B
Bomzin Offline OP
Member
Yes of course if the window unit were planned on you would have to consider it. Even after the fact it should be considerd.

The question still lies. If you do the math on a home in Knoxville and come up with only needing a 100 amp service or even a 125 but becuase you have electric range dryer and an AC unit you will be required to install a 200 amp service.

Also is aluminum wire ,SER, allowed or not from service to panel and if not what is the reasoning behind any of it .

Anyone from the city of Knoxville I mailed has yet to respond.

Just curious
Neil

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