Wire size for new subpanel - suspect the electrical inspector gave me bad advice

[timothybrom]

I'm in the middle of a kitchen remodel and decided that the easiest way to run the additional circuits I now need (house was built in the 80s) was to run a new subpanel from the main panel in the basement up to the garage which is next to the kitchen.

I asked the electrical inspector what size wire I needed for a 125 amp subpanel, and he told me to use SER cable, #3 aluminum or #4 copper. Looking at the NEC ampacity chart though, it looks like that's not even enough for 100 amp service, much less 125 amp. The electrical inspector did sound like he was quoting off the top of his head versus actually looking something up. Am I missing something in the NEC code, or did I get bad advice? What size cable would you use for this?

The run is about 25' long, it's going up an exterior wall, through the attic, and then run down through EMT conduit to the surface-mount panel. The conduit is just for physical protection.

 

[augie47]

You are correct that the conductors mentioned are not adequate for a 125 amp sub-panel (assuming it will protected by a 125 amp device, however, I am closing this thread, in accordance with the Forum rules. This Forum is intended to assist professional electricians, inspectors, engineers, and other members of the electrical industry in the performance of their job-related tasks. However, if you are not an electrician or an electrical contractor, then we are not permitted to help you perform your own electrical installation work.


If I have misjudged the situation, if for example this project is related to your work, then send me a Private Message. If you can show me that I am wrong, and that you are a licensed electrician (or at least a licensed apprentice), then I will reopen your post, and offer an apology for the delay and inconvenience.

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