Old AC with thin aluminum bond wire

[Power Solutions]

Hi All,
Replacing two Fed Pac 240v 100 amp sub panels at a church.

They are both feed with the old AC with the thin aluminum bond wire in it.

Code wise, can the old AC still be used to feed the replacement panels? We are on the 2014 edition here in PA.

Does 250.118(5) a-d pertain to this situation?

Dj

 

[kwired]

The metal sheath is the EGC, the bond wire is just a supplement to improve the resistance of the path created by the spiral nature of how the sheath is constructed.

 

[Power Solutions]

I missed (8) that takes me to 320.108. So it looks like the AC is still good to use.

 

[infinity]

Yes it's still code compliant to use it. Might not be as good as a copper EGC but it can still be used.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

The metal sheath is the EGC, the bond wire is just a supplement to improve the resistance of the path created by the spiral nature of how the sheath is constructed.

I agree but let's be clear. I know kwired knows this... The ac cable or metal sheath that is without that aluminum wire in it is not compliant as an equipment grounding conductor. So the cable itself is not a compliant equipment grounding conductor without the small aluminum strip.

 

[kwired]

I agree but let's be clear. I know kwired knows this... The ac cable or metal sheath that is without that aluminum wire in it is not compliant as an equipment grounding conductor. So the cable itself is not a compliant equipment grounding conductor without the small aluminum strip.

:thumbsup: