Meter Base Wiring for Permanent Service

Status
Not open for further replies.
Does anyone know if it is permissible or not to use two different makes of wire inside the meter base? For example, a 200 amp service to the meter use 4/0 aluminum to the top of the base and 000 copper from the bottom of the meter feeding the panel box inside the house. Where is this covered in the NEC?
 

jumper

Senior Member
Assuming a resi install and using the 83% calc number for service conductor size, no problem.

Assuming a comm install and a final calculated load of 180A or less, no problem.

A comm install greater than 180A, problem.

4/0 AL is 180A, 3/0 is still good for 200A though.
 

kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
You could run copper for line A and aluminum for line B if you wanted - each must still have proper minimum ampacity for what type it is.

You can't make a "parallel conductor" out of 4/0 aluminum and 3/0 copper components though. Each individual conductor of a parallel conductor must be same characteristics - if not the same differences in resistance will not allow for current to divide evenly through those conductors.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top