I did a small panel change on Friday. Existing were fuses with a 60amp main. They didn't want to do service upgrade, only get rid of the fuses. They did want to however install a 125amp panel for future possible upgrades. The se is "anaconda" #2 copper. What wire type is this? What do they coat the strands with to give them the gray coating on the outside?
I don't have any specific info on Anaconda SE cable, but tin, silver or nickel are commonly used to coat annealed copper wire like that.
the coating did have 75deg on the coating. Is it considerid copper and can I use that column of 310.16 in the copper ampacity chart for it? Just trying to make sure I put the proper size breaker in. The panel had a 60amp breaker, but if I could put in a 100amp main in that would save them a service upgrade. It was acutally #3, not #2.
I will take this a grain of salt due I do not have the NEC chart with me at the moment but IIRC the smallest unground conductor you can use for 100 amp service is #4 or 25mm² one of the two but becarefull some inspectors may reject that and have to use #2 or 35mm² conductors size so that kinda of fineline to walk on this one.
Merci.
Marc
No matter whether it's tinned or not, it's considered copper. The only alternative is aluminum, but that should be obvious enough if you cut the wire and look at the cut. Aluminum is silver all the way through.
By table 310.15, #3 Cu SE is good for 110 amps, so a 100 amp cb would be compliant.
By table 310.15, #3 Cu SE is good for 110 amps, so a 100 amp cb would be compliant.
Is this type of SE cable is rated at 60°C rating or on 75°C rating I know this is for service entrance but if used for feeder then the bet is off it have to stay with 60°C rating.
Merci,
Marc
Marc:
You are quite correct. The OP eluded to it being service cable from his description.
If you are using the 310.15(B)(6) table, temperature does not come into it. There may be a question about if it applies but he was talking about the "main" so I assume it does.
That could be the service entrance or the "main power feeder" between the service disconnect and the main distribution panel. He did say "SE" not "SER" so it sounds like the service entrance.
It is the service entrance from the meter to the panel.
That is a 310.15(B)(6) table situation.
100a #4 copper
110a #3
125a #2