Utility company wire

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That cable is triplex. Google it. One bare and two insulated aluminum conductors. Are you running this or the power company? If it is their drop to you point of attachment, they would size it to their practices. I have seen the same size (number 2) used for up to 200 A and I have also seen heavier gauge occasionally.
 
Or possibly URD if its underground
Be careful of any install you make (as opposed to the utility) if you are actually using utility cables..l.. many utility conductors are not NEC listed conductors and are not allowed on a NEC compliant job.
 
The bare conductor of the overhead variety is called ACSR (Aerial Cable Steel Reinforced) The center strand is steel to give it extra strength to hold the weight of the assembly, if it were all aluminum it would stretch too easily. It is also about the same thing as what they use for the bare overhead primary conductors - steel strand within for support purposes.
 
augie47 said:
Or possibly URD if its underground
Be careful of any install you make (as opposed to the utility) if you are actually using utility cables..l.. many utility conductors are not NEC listed conductors and are not allowed on a NEC compliant job.
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^^^^^^^
Exactly this.

The op needs to contact CenterPoint in Houston if he is curious about what they use for their drops/ug etc. But ultimately what they use is immaterial to him.

He needs to examine the tables throughout 310 to find what he needs to use for what sounds like a plain vanilla 200a svc south of the poco connections.
 
user 100 said:
^^^^^^^
Exactly this.

The op needs to contact CenterPoint in Houston if he is curious about what they use for their drops/ug etc. But ultimately what they use is immaterial to him.

He needs to examine the tables throughout 310 to find what he needs to use for what sounds like a plain vanilla 200a svc south of the poco connections.
Click to expand...
South of POCO connections if overhead supply
North of POCO connections if underground supply

:cool:
 
In some localities POCO specs have to be adhered to especially in underground service entrances (lateral).

The electrical contractor has to notify POCO long before the project gets in earnest. They often specify the exact location of the distribution transformer/panel. Said contractor has to provide the underground raceway. Crossing public thoroughfare is usually done by POCO.

Depending on the situation, they often require a spare raceway along with the needed conduit/s , manholes (if required) the radius of bends that the run may require and also the size of the conduit . . . not to mention the designed load, but this is often submitted by the AHJ.

They usually do this in order to minimize their (POCO) workers activity to interfere with normal construction operation.

They will pull the wires when things are ready.
 
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