Hi, I am wiring 2- 3 phase 480 volt pieces of equipment. I am going to install a new sub panel to feed both pieces of equipment. The one piece says all field wiring stranded copper conductors only. The feeders I run to the sub panel can they be Aluminum and then run copper between the sub panel and the piece of equipment. Is this good practice.
Copper Conductors required
- Thread starter arnettda
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Yes on feeders to panel. Good practice, no reason not to.
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- Semi-retired engineer
I am not sure why but a lot of UL508a control panel manufacturers label their panels that way. I think it is a misunderstanding of the UL 508A rules that leads them to do this.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
I take it as a requirement for the terminals, not the circuit.
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- Semi-retired engineer
There are some UL 508A manufacturers who believe that the requirement to use copper conductors inside the cabinet extends to the field wiring and they will label the panel that way. Most small terminals are only good for copper anyway but most mccbs and larger fused disconnect switches have lugs that are good for either copper or aluminum, or at least can get them.
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