Aluminum Wire

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cosmo

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Just wondering, does anyone see a problem with using aluminum wire to feed a panel on a boat dock? It's a long run(550') and I am really not set up to handle all that copper. I would prefer for this job to be just me and a helper.
What are anyones thoughts?
 
Re: Aluminum Wire

555.15(B) Requires that your equipment Grounding Conductor be insulated COPPER.
555.13(B)(3) requires that all wiring over or under navigable water must be approved by the AHJ, so you might need to check with them to see if they will approve aluminum wire. If this is a salt-water environment I believe that you would be doing a disservice to your customer to use aluminum wiring. It may meet code, but it will eventually cause problems in this particular installation. I am usually a defender of properly installed aluminum wiring, but not in a salt-water environment.
 
Re: Aluminum Wire

I don't see a problem with aluminum wire near salt water.
The utility company always uses aluminum.

I see that the aluminum hull boats are still floating. :D
 
Re: Aluminum Wire

Originally posted by tkb:
I see that the aluminum hull boats are still floating. :D
Click to expand...
They must be coated with an anti-oxidant compound, after being wire-brushed, of course. :D
 
It might improve the life of the installation if you could use compression connectors and lugs with some anti oxidant.
 
cosmo,

What size copper are you needing to install? Have you considered type W cable? I had 2 guys working for me that pulled 700' runs of #4/0-4c type W cable with no additional help (I had to supply the correct equipment).
 
I'll agree 100% with haskindm, back in Mass. many coastal juristictions would not allow alum. for services or outside feeders.

They claimed they had enough data to backup their amendment.
 
Thanks for the feedback everybody. I have very little experience with Aluminum wire and was looking for some guidance. This question came about because of a job I was offered. The homeowner wants me to wire his boat dock, however he can only budget $8000. The dock will have to 2 boat lifts a shore power station and some lights. The difficult part is that these lifts and shore power are at the end of the dock, 700' from the panel. Using copper wire and PVC with one person helping with the pull doesn't seem to be to profitable. This is why the question about aluminum wire. It is much cheaper and easier to handle than copper, but if it isn't as reliable and safe under these conditions I am not going to use it. I am leaning towards passing on this job.

Hardworkingstiff, I was planning on 1/0 copper. I have never used Type W Cable before. How much does that typically cost?
 
cosmo,

1/0/4-c type W is about $10/ft. I think this puts you out of your customers budget. I don't think his budget is valid. Be careful. Good Luck.

Yorktown huh? I grew up in Va. Beach. Left there in 1990, toooooo crowded.
 
Thanks for the replies. I have a question for those of you who feel aluminum wire on a dock is not a good practice. At what point is it OK to use aluminum wire near water? There houses within 50' of the water that have aluminum wire from the poco. And I have seen aluminum wire pulled to panels at the shore for docks. I am not trying to be argumentative, just hoping to get a better feel for the applications of this wire. Thanks

Hardworkingstiff,

If you thought it was way toooo crowded then, you probably don't want to come back.
 
cosmo,
Not sure, but it may be possible that aluminum wire you see POCO using is a aluminum alloy type. It would survive better in corrosive salt air found near the water. A guess.
 
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