4/0 Aluminum or 3/0 Copper?
#1
Group Moderator
Thread Starter
4/0 Aluminum or 3/0 Copper?
This weekend, I'm going to set the pole, mount meter base/main disconnect & run wire into main panel in shop. I called the parish (county) inspector who is going to do the inspection & asked him what wire he required for this project. He gave me the option of 4/0 aluminum or 3/0 copper.
This is for a 200 amp main service & I'll have a 200 amp breaker panel inside the shop.
All wire will be above ground.... nothing will be buried.
Why one over the other? What would you get?
I am assuming 4/0 is smaller & easier to work with and I am also assuming that copper costs more.
..... and this is supposed to be 4 wires, right? 2 hots, a neutral & a ground... correct? I just want to be sure, so I'll know if what they are giving me is right so there wont be a misunderstanding like last time.
So, whats your advice?
This is for a 200 amp main service & I'll have a 200 amp breaker panel inside the shop.
All wire will be above ground.... nothing will be buried.
Why one over the other? What would you get?
I am assuming 4/0 is smaller & easier to work with and I am also assuming that copper costs more.
..... and this is supposed to be 4 wires, right? 2 hots, a neutral & a ground... correct? I just want to be sure, so I'll know if what they are giving me is right so there wont be a misunderstanding like last time.
So, whats your advice?
#2
The 4/0 is larger than 3/0. The copper is more expensive.
You need 4 wires after the first disconnect.
You need 4 wires after the first disconnect.
#4
Group Moderator
Thread Starter
Tolyn,
The part I am doing will be above ground. The only part I am doing is just from the meter/disconnect combo unit, to the main panel inside the shop.
I buried the conduit from Entergy's pole 250' to the shop (meter base). Entergy will provide the line for that, pull it & hook into the meter base.
I am only responsible for wiring from the meter/disconnect combo into the shop & into the main breaker panel. I'm not going to bury that cause its only about 2 ft from the shop. Just using a short piece of conduit from the disconnect into the side of the building & directly into the breaker panel.
The part I am doing will be above ground. The only part I am doing is just from the meter/disconnect combo unit, to the main panel inside the shop.
I buried the conduit from Entergy's pole 250' to the shop (meter base). Entergy will provide the line for that, pull it & hook into the meter base.
I am only responsible for wiring from the meter/disconnect combo into the shop & into the main breaker panel. I'm not going to bury that cause its only about 2 ft from the shop. Just using a short piece of conduit from the disconnect into the side of the building & directly into the breaker panel.
#5
2 hots, a neutral & a ground
You need 3) 3/0's and 1) #4 green
Need white tape for remarking the neutral white if you buy one piece of black cable.
Dixie2012
voted this post useful.
#6
Just curious why you needed the pole , was it over the POC limit? seems like you could have stubbed up the a meter base on the shop.
Geo
Geo
#7
Group Moderator
Thread Starter
I wanted to attach it to the shop but, its considered a "portable" building. Therefore its got to be wired like a mobile home.. detached from the building & on a pole. According to the permit & the inspector.
Technically, it is a portable building & its on blocks, not a slab. However, I bought it for a permanent structure.
Technically, it is a portable building & its on blocks, not a slab. However, I bought it for a permanent structure.