nec article 547

[Brian J. Beach]

Question, nec article 547.5 states use of copper conductors,I wish to use aluminum conductors for service and feeders to subpanels.Please respond .
thank you Brian J. Beach

 

[kkwong]

The only mention of copper conductors that I see is in copper SE cables...there is no other mention of copper there....

If you want to use AL...and want to CYA...apply for a variance.

Edit to add: I'm using 547.5-2002 since I lost my '05

 

[wbalsam1]

The only mention of copper conductors that I see is in copper SE cables...there is no other mention of copper there....

If you want to use AL...and want to CYA...apply for a variance.

Edit to add: I'm using 547.5-2002 since I lost my '05

Also see 110.5 which states that "Conductors normally used to carry current shall be of copper unless otherwise provided in this code." Although that alone would not be enough to hang your hat on for requiring copper wiring in a livestock area.

In my humble opinion, 547.5 addresses in ,albeit an obscure way, the concern for the effects a corrosive environment, such as one with animal excrement, will potentially have on non-copper (aluminum) wiring. The way livestock reacts to tingle voltage has long been a concern and it seems to me that the reliability of a circuit in this environment is greatly enhanced by using metals that behave better than aluminum is such adverse conditions. The integrity of the bonding path is paramount to stabilizing tingle voltage. (IMHO)
The 2002 NEC allowed "jacketed" Type MC Cable. MC cable was already permitted, but the jacketed type was accepted as a suitable wiring method.

 

[wbalsam1]

Question, nec article 547.5 states use of copper conductors,I wish to use aluminum conductors for service and feeders to subpanels.Please respond .
thank you Brian J. Beach

I don't know if the following method is acceptable or not, and perhaps other forum members will come to the rescue, but it seems to me at first blush anyway that if there was a designated electrical service entrance space wholly compartmentalized so as to protect the service entrance conductors entering the building from dampness, wetness, and corrosive vapors likely to be encountered in the remainder of the agricultural building, and this electrical room was fitted with an adequate door closer and all provisions were made to minimize the entrance of dust, etc. into the electrical equipment, than I don't see the problem with using aluminum SE conductors in a conduit emerging from the ground into the service equipment in this electrical room. The code does infer that SE Cable must be copper, so that would be an obvious "no no".
As to the feeders to remote panelboards within the livestock building, I think they should be copper as well as all interior wiring methods. Here in this environment is where the integrity of conductors is most important. JMO, though.:smile: By the way, welcome to the forum.

 

[kkwong]

Also see 110.5 which states that "Conductors normally used to carry current shall be of copper unless otherwise provided in this code." Although that alone would not be enough to hang your hat on for requiring copper wiring in a livestock area.

Thanks wbslam...I knew I was missing something but even so...like you said it isn't enough to hang a hat on.

In my humble opinion, 547.5 addresses in ,albeit an obscure way, the concern for the effects a corrosive environment, such as one with animal excrement, will potentially have on non-copper (aluminum) wiring. The way livestock reacts to tingle voltage has long been a concern and it seems to me that the reliability of a circuit in this environment is greatly enhanced by using metals that behave better than aluminum is such adverse conditions. The integrity of the bonding path is paramount to stabilizing tingle voltage. (IMHO)
The 2002 NEC allowed "jacketed" Type MC Cable. MC cable was already permitted, but the jacketed type was accepted as a suitable wiring method.

I thought it just addressed SE cables not all conductors. But I could be interpreting it wrong...

 

[wbalsam1]

I thought it just addressed SE cables not all conductors. But I could be interpreting it wrong...

I don't know what to think in this situation, kkwong. If it's possible to purchase aluminum UF, MC, NMC, etc., then I guess the provision only speaks to SE Cable being copper. What do you think? :smile:

 

[wbalsam1]

Question, nec article 547.5 states use of copper conductors,I wish to use aluminum conductors for service and feeders to subpanels.Please respond .
thank you Brian J. Beach

So many members....so little interest....