Ground run separate from SER

[Jamestlogan1]

I am installing 4 - 100 amp sub panels feed from 4 seperate disconnects in an apartment building. I currently only have 2-2-2- SER available to purchase at local supplier. Can I run a separate #4 along side the SER cable

 

[augie47]

Not allowed...
NEC 300.3(B)

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I am installing 4 - 100 amp sub panels feed from 4 seperate disconnects in an apartment building. I currently only have 2-2-2- SER available to purchase at local supplier. Can I run a separate #4 along side the SER cable

Ser has an equipment grounding conductor. Like nm cable ----if it is seu then it is 2-2-2 but ser does have a 4th wire....

 

[wwhitney]

Ser has an equipment grounding conductor. Like nm cable ----if it is seu then it is 2-2-2 but ser does have a 4th wire....

That's generally true but sometimes not. SEU just means flat, and SER round. On Southwire's website, all the SEU is 3 conductors (counting the bare), and all the copper SER is 4 conductors, but the Aluminum SER is available with 3-5 conductors (although still mostly 4 conductors):

Aluminum Service Entrance (SER) Cable with Alumaflex® Brand Conductors | Southwire

Upgrade your power system with Alumaflex® Brand Conductors Aluminum Service Entrance (SER) Cable.

www.southwire.com

(You have to click on the specifications tab to see the different products)

Cheers, Wayne

 

[Dennis Alwon]

That's generally true but sometimes not. SEU just means flat, and SER round. On Southwire's website, all the SEU is 3 conductors (counting the bare), and all the copper SER is 4 conductors, but the Aluminum SER is available with 3-5 conductors (although still mostly 4 conductors):

Aluminum Service Entrance (SER) Cable with Alumaflex® Brand Conductors | Southwire

Upgrade your power system with Alumaflex® Brand Conductors Aluminum Service Entrance (SER) Cable.

www.southwire.com

(You have to click on the specifications tab to see the different products)

Cheers, Wayne

It is always the case, IMO. The info you link is generic. It shows ser but then states under it types se, seu and ser. Find a cable with an equipment grounding conductor in it and I bet it is called ser. Maybe for 3 phase it might change IDK

 

[suemarkp]

300.3(B) has exceptions, such as non-ferrous wiring methods and runing everything through the same hole in a ferrous box. Maybe the rub is finding a cable clamp that can secure the cable and a separate EGC - there may not be listings for that combination.

Is the grounded conductor insulated or just covered? SE would typically be covered and SER would have an insulated neutral. If it is truly insulated, you can probably make it work.

 

[roger]

It is always the case, IMO. The info you link is generic. It shows ser but then states under it types se, seu and ser. Find a cable with an equipment grounding conductor in it and I bet it is called ser. Maybe for 3 phase it might change IDK

Agreed, SER can be three or four conductors but SEU is three conductors. The link below shows that.

https://assets.southwire.com/ImConvServlet/imconv/7f1133975e3e4b8c5ab3ee2f1881b50f3d3d4ef8/origin?assetDescr=Aluminum%20Service%20Entrance%20SEU%20Cable.spec

 

[wwhitney]

It is always the case, IMO. The info you link is generic.

On the link, you have to go to the specifications tab, I don't know how to make a link that opens up that tab within the web page. But, I'm not sure what we are disagreeing about.

The link Roger posted shows that 2-2-2 Al SE cable (2 insulated conductors, one bare) is available as either SEU or SER. The former is flat and the bare conductor strands are concentric around the 2 insulated conductors. The latter is round with a typical stranded bare conductor.

So while most SER has 4 conductors (including the bare), it is available with 3 or 5 conductors.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[curt swartz]

I am installing 4 - 100 amp sub panels feed from 4 seperate disconnects in an apartment building. I currently only have 2-2-2- SER available to purchase at local supplier. Can I run a separate #4 along side the SER cable

Tell your supplier to order it from their wire vendor or find a different supplier. 2/3 (2-2-2-4) SER cable is not hard to get. Worse case order from HD or one of the other online wire sales sites.