Overhead SE AL/CU

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rstewart868

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Los Angeles
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Cloud Systems Engineer
I'm not sure I'm allowed to post here. I am not currently an electrician but I was a residential electrician for 6 years back in mid/late 1980s. I know a lot has changed but I find it hard to believe that AL isn't permitted any longer in an overhead service entrance in RMC for 200A. I am contracting out some home upgrades instead of doing it myself and have a contractor saying that only copper is allowed for the service entrance. It seems like a 4/0 AL would be fine.
 
The NEC does not prohibit AL service conductors but some power companies will not connect to AL service conductors.
 
That's a new one on me.

How can they not connect to AL Service conductors when that's what they most commonly use for service conductors?


JAP>
 
Some of our POCOs have unusual rules many of which date back so far none of the current folks know the reason....
The one that only accepts Cu requires 3/0 on 200 amp services and all raceways ahead of the service disconnect must be metallic.
I argued unsuccessfully for years that the rules were beyond their jurisdiction
 
I did just confirm with the power company, AL is just fine. I'm stumped why he would claim it's not allowed. There are very few local amendments, I see nothing related to SE conductors.
 
This is required in Los Angeles County.
 

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  • Los Angeles County - Dept of Public Works, Service .pdf
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I ran into the same problem with a utility company the next county over, many years ago. They were also the inspection department. They would not allow aluminum for mobile home feeders. They wanted copper all the way, where they connected at the weatherhead with aluminum!
 
readydave8 said:
Sometimes a person may remember something he heard from inspector or another electrician and not realize they were wrong
Click to expand...
Lots of shirt pocket rules get made up and evolve through this. I've just moved to a new jurisdiction and yes there are different amendments here but its crazy how bad alot of the electricians I've interacted with who are unaware either of the local amendments for the state which again some are new or non even amended NEC violations. Lots of silly stuff happens when people don't look outside their bubble. But in the end copper isn't as expensive vs AL as it was prepandemic so the cost difference might not be as bad currently.
 
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