Aluminum vs. Copper feeders

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sceepe

sceepe

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Anyone on the contractor side have a good feel for the price difference between suppling a 2000 amp load with aluminum in lieu of copper wiring. Assume 200 feet 500 MCM feeders. I received a VE request to go with Alum in lieu of Copper.

My gut feel is that once the feeders are upsized (and maybe additional parallel conduits are installed) there will not be much savings.

Also as a contractor would you rather work with 500 MCM Copper or 500 MCM Alum from a bending / pulling / splicing / terminating standpoint?

I am trying to justify the savings against my concerns for bad connections / voltage drop / hot spots etc.

[ October 25, 2005, 07:34 PM: Message edited by: sceepe ]
 
Re: Aluminum vs. Copper feeders

If you use compact stranded aluminum, you should be able to use the same size and number of raceways.
 
Re: Aluminum vs. Copper feeders

My only suggestion is to avoid direct burial splices when using alum conductors. It takes 10-15 years, but eventually those give out. Nowaday's the poco in my area will not allow an upgrade to an underground service unless a concrete sidewalk handhole box is provided by us to allow for future repairs without them having to dig up buried splices.
 
Re: Aluminum vs. Copper feeders

A tiny, microscopic defect in the insulation of an underground aluminum wire will cause major probs VERY quickly!

I have worked in the ag and oilfield for many years, where aluminum wire has been used for years, due to cost. (many feeders are 1,300' to as long as a mile).

I have spent as long as a week just tracing the cable, & locating all the faults. Sometimes as many as 10 in a mile. Excavation and repair of the wire is VERY costly.

Of course if ya can charge for it in the future, then it guarentees job security!

Just kidding!

I will always quote SDT, copper cable, if direct burried! ;)
 
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