Aluminum cable service for lighting ballast circuits?

[powerplay]

Are there any issue that arise from an properly terminated aluminum cable in an splitter feeding panels that are drawing a 38kw load? Copper is connected to the lighting contactor and the load, but it is on 2/3 of the day and i am wondering if torquing down the terminals in the splitter is necessary quite often? Is it better to use fused disconnects or thermal breakers acceptable when loaded 80%. Thanks again!

 

[petersonra]

Are there any issue that arise from an properly terminated aluminum cable in an splitter feeding panels that are drawing a 38kw load? Copper is connected to the lighting contactor and the load, but it is on 2/3 of the day and i am wondering if torquing down the terminals in the splitter is necessary quite often? Is it better to use fused disconnects or thermal breakers acceptable when loaded 80%. Thanks again!

Properly sized and terminated AL conductors are fine in whatever application. The only exception I would say is if there is movement or vibration. I think AL conductors are more likely to have issues with vibration and/or movement.

IMO, retightening of conductors is rarely if ever required if they were properly tightened in the first place.

I don't think it matters much whether you use fuses or CBs as long as they are properly applied. Personally, i do not like fused disconnects because when the fuse blows finding a replacement might be an issue since they tend to blow at very inopportune times.

 

[hurk27]

As long as the connectors and or terminals are rated for AL, you are good to go, also be aware that when spliceing al to copper, requires special connectors.