Hello everyone,
As you can tell I have little electrical knowledge so bear with me. I appreciate your help! The residence will be located in the southern Florida area.
My residential plans call for a 400 amp service with the following:
1) 3 Phase 4 Wire Main Disconnect Switch (SquareD) fused
2) 2 sets of 4/0 THHN 500 Feet
Now here's my questions:
1) Is SquareD the "best" brand? Would you put it in your own house? Does it matter?
2) Copper vs Aluminum wiring - no brainer - copper right?
3) The last question and the most confusing one ... I am shopping for wire and the distance between the electrical source and the house is about 500 feet. The plans call for "2 sets of 4/0 THHN" - but thats not rated for 400 amps I think 4/0 is rated at 260. Does 2 sets mean we combine the ampacity ratings? This is the part that confuses me. I was looking up the ampacities and basically I assumed I should be using a 500 MCM wire. Now that brings me to my next question. Since the plans call for 3 phase 4 wire, does that mean that the wire we end up using (whether its 4/0 or 500 mcm) needs to be 4 conductor? Or, do we get 4 single stranded wires? Cause, buying 4 runs of 500 ft 500 MCM copper will be VERY expensive :-(.
Thanks for your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As you can tell I have little electrical knowledge so bear with me. I appreciate your help! The residence will be located in the southern Florida area.
My residential plans call for a 400 amp service with the following:
1) 3 Phase 4 Wire Main Disconnect Switch (SquareD) fused
2) 2 sets of 4/0 THHN 500 Feet
Now here's my questions:
1) Is SquareD the "best" brand? Would you put it in your own house? Does it matter?
2) Copper vs Aluminum wiring - no brainer - copper right?
3) The last question and the most confusing one ... I am shopping for wire and the distance between the electrical source and the house is about 500 feet. The plans call for "2 sets of 4/0 THHN" - but thats not rated for 400 amps I think 4/0 is rated at 260. Does 2 sets mean we combine the ampacity ratings? This is the part that confuses me. I was looking up the ampacities and basically I assumed I should be using a 500 MCM wire. Now that brings me to my next question. Since the plans call for 3 phase 4 wire, does that mean that the wire we end up using (whether its 4/0 or 500 mcm) needs to be 4 conductor? Or, do we get 4 single stranded wires? Cause, buying 4 runs of 500 ft 500 MCM copper will be VERY expensive :-(.
Thanks for your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
