Distribution and Control Equipment Terminations
Most terminals are suitable for use only with copper wire. Where aluminum or copper-clad aluminum wire can or shall be used (some crimp terminals may be Listed only for aluminum wire), there is marking to indicate this. Such marking is required to be independent of any marking on terminal connectors, such as on a wiring diagram or other visible location. The marking may be in an abbreviated form, such as "AL-CU."
Except as noted in the following paragraphs or in the general Guide Information for some product categories, the termination provisions are based on the use of 60?C ampacities for wire size Nos. 14-1 AWG, and 75?C ampacities for wire size Nos. 1/0 AWG and larger, as specified in Table 310.16 of the NEC.
Some distribution and control equipment is marked to indicate the required temperature rating of each field-installed conductor. If the equipment, normally intended for connection by wire sizes within the range 14-1 AWG, is marked "75C" or "60/75C," it is intended that 75?C insulated wire may be used at full 75?C ampacity. Where the connection is made to a circuit breaker or switch within the equipment, such a circuit breaker or switch must also be marked for the temperature rating of the conductor.
A 75?C conductor temperature marking on a circuit breaker or switch normally intended for wire sizes 14-1 AWG does not in itself indicate that 75?C insulated wire can be used unless 1) the circuit breaker or switch is used by itself, such as in a separate enclosure, or 2) the equipment in which the circuit breaker or switch is installed is also so marked.
A 75?C or 90?C temperature marking on a terminal (e.g., AL7, CU7AL, AL7CU or AL9, CU9AL, AL9CU) does not in itself indicate that 75?C or 90?C insulated wire can be used unless the equipment in which the terminals are installed is marked for 75?C or 90?C.
Higher temperature rated conductors than specified may be used if the size is based on the above statements.