Aluminum Conduit Questions

[rick5280]

I have an oppurtunity to purchase some 2" and 4" al conduit (roughly 200' of each), real cheap (excess from a big job close to my location). Would it be worth it do get these?

I can see a use up a pole (riser), or maybe even as a mast(it is a strong as a GRC mast, isn't it?). Underground lateral into a meter socket, would eliminate the need for a PVC expansion fitting.

What about using al conduit in earth? What is considered supplementary protection?

Any thoughts, pro or con?

 

[hbiss]

Re: Aluminum Conduit Questions

It's softer so it's not as strong as GRC so you wouldn't want to use it for a mast. Certainly for other services and feeders it is fine and won't corrode. Easier to bend also, though some say it's harder to thread.

For buried use in most soils it should be OK but you don't want to embed it in concrete or even under a concrete slab. The alkali will turn it into mush!

 

[charlie]

Re: Aluminum Conduit Questions

HMMM . . . kinda makes ya wunder why they don't allow ya ta use alumnum wher its within 18" of mother earth?

 

[hbiss]

Re: Aluminum Conduit Questions

Who won't allow it? Must be a local thing or a POCO requirement. Not the NEC- 344.10.

Those cautions I made above are from my own experience.

 

[bennie]

Re: Aluminum Conduit Questions

Aluminum rigid conduit can be used in the same locations as steel rigid conduit unless indicated otherwise.

 

[charlie]

Re: Aluminum Conduit Questions

250.64(A)Bare aluminum or copper-clad aluminum grounding conductors shall not be used where in direct contact with masonry or the earth or where subject to corrosive conditions. Where used outside, aluminum or copper-clad aluminum grounding conductors shall not be terminated within 450 mm (18 in.) of the earth.

 

[kiss]

Re: Aluminum Conduit Questions

Unless I missed it the original post was about ALUMINUM conduit ( pipe ) not a grounding electrode conductor. Aluminum is o.k. except in concrete as noted earlier.