Copper or Aluminum feed for range?

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WSG

MN elec contractor
Location
Minnesota
Occupation
Electrician & Contracor
I'm wondering why I would not use an aluminum cable for my range feeds!? Can you talk me out of it? I've almost exclusively used a 6/3 NM cable in the past when roughing-in a range feed. Now I'm leaning away from that past practice. Check out my latest costs for 125ft of the cables shown below. Tax not included.
  • $153.48 -- SER 6-6-6-6 AWG Aluminum Round Service Entrance
  • $192.89 -- SER 4-4-4-6 AWG Aluminum Round Service Entrance
  • $618.49 -- NM-B-6/3-CU-WG-1R Copper with Ground
If using the Aluminum SE cable, I would use either a 50A 4-wire receptacle for appliances with a cord or I would use CuAl insulated lugs for hardwired situations.

At these prices, why use a copper feeder for any other residential work I do?
 
Aluminum for anything above 30 amps.
I used it for my own oven/ cooktop combo also, and have for 20+ years (when I did that). AC units are aluminum, etc..
 
We always used copper but now the aluminum wire is made from a different alloy and it doesn't have the problems associated with the old aluminum wires. We use aluminum alot for larger cable runs
 
WSG said:
If using the Aluminum SE cable, I would use either a 50A 4-wire receptacle for appliances with a cord
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Just make sure you get a receptacle labeled for aluminum and for 75C terminations. The latter lets you use #6 Al on a 50A breaker that is also labeled for 75C terminations. If you are limited to 60C terminations, then you need the #4 Al you mentioned for a 50A breaker.

Cheers, Wayne
 
It's interesting that NM-B is limited to 60C for ampacity while SE cable can be used at 75C ampacities. The SE cable must have a superior conductor insulation and outer jacket system.
 
WSG said:
It's interesting that NM-B is limited to 60C for ampacity while SE cable can be used at 75C ampacities. The SE cable must have a superior conductor insulation and outer jacket system.
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I doubt that there is a technical justification for the difference in treatment in the NEC.

Cheers, Wayne
 
WSG said:
It's interesting that NM-B is limited to 60C for ampacity while SE cable can be used at 75C ampacities. The SE cable must have a superior conductor insulation and outer jacket system.
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Se cable went from 60C to 75C back to 60C and now it is 75C in most cases.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
We always used copper but now the aluminum wire is made from a different alloy and it doesn't have the problems associated with the old aluminum wires. We use aluminum alot for larger cable runs
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Just be sure that if you install compression lugs on aluminum conductors they are rated for use on aluminum. A guy I know learned this lesson the hard way a few weeks ago. The project experienced multiple thermal events at many connection points, and a lot of wiring and equipment had to be replaced.
 
I use insulated lugs from Ilsco. Other mfgrs make similar products. These connections are dual rated (CuAL) and nice to work with.

In the case of a hardwired range I would use three or four of these lugs. Cost is around $20 each for a 2-port, 14-4AWG. That is an offset to the lower cost of Aluminum cables.
Screenshot_20210922-112750.png
 
electrofelon said:
I agree AL is great. IVe pretty much always used 6 SER for range feeds my entire 20 year career. Large
NM is the worst: expensive, low termperature rating/ampacity, dry only, no free milkshake with purchase......
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I'm on the AL train, bought a ticket!
 
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