Aluminum or copper service entrance conductors

[arnettda]

In a residental setting with the POCOS meter on the outside of the house and your 200 amp main breaker panel inside the house. What is your preffed conductor material and why? Say less than 12ft of conductor overall. I have been using AL. The wire comming into the meter is aluminum and it is cheaper and I am asking to find out if it is good enough. Or should I switch to CU.
Thanks

 

[infinity]

There is nothing wrong with properly installed aluminum conductors. They're a little less forgiving than copper however.

 

[John120/240]

Aluminum is acceptable for service conductors. How ever we have one city that

requires copper service conductors. All it does is drive the cost of the install

higher. Anayway as long as you get paid whats the difference.

 

[Cow]

There are a gazillion residential services installed with aluminum. Why spend more money to do the same thing, when aluminum has already proven itself?

 

[electricguy61]

Installed a 3 meter can stack today, 100amps each, total 300amp service.

250mcm copper was $5.50 per ft

350mcm aluminum was $1.47 per ft.

13 ft mast, total of 3 20' runs (60').

Guess which one I installed

Much lighter to install as well

 

[wawireguy]

Honestly I really think copper and aluminum are inferior. What you really want is the platinum plated stuff. Much better than either.