New Service, New Construction

Tcal

Hey all !

Here is my sitsuation. I'm building my own home and need some guidance.

I am installing 200 amp service. I have my meter, outdoor disconnect and breaker panel installed. My panel is 36 ft from the meter hence the 200 amp disconnect.

The NEC can be a bit rough...

I've settled on that I'm running a 4/0 4/0 4/0 AL cable from the meter to the disconnect to the breaker panel. I have my grounding rods installed outside, 6 feet apart (hope this is code ! )

Now. Would I buy a 4 conductor wire (if it exists) with 3 AL wires and 1 copper ground ? If not then I'm assuming my 4/0 cable is correct. If that is the case, what AWG copper ground wire would I run from the breaker panel to my disconnect ? Would it be insulated ?

Thanks,
Tom

Speedy Petey

You should use 4/0SER. This is 4/0, 4/0, 4/0, 2/0 AL cable perfectly suited for this application.
DO NOT run the ground separately.

__________________
Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

Tcal

Thanks for the quick reply. If that is the case, then I would assume that I use a #4 copper wire from my disconnect to my ground rods ?

I've been told by friends that I should not "cut" the wire when connecting the ground rods and try and have it be 1 wire from disconnect to rod to rod.

Also, would I use the conductive paste (Don't know the correct terms) when terminating the copper to the disconnect ? (Pretty sure the terminal is AL) Would I use this paste on all connections ?

Thanks,
Tom

Speedy Petey

You can use #4cu for the grounding electrode conductor (disc to ground rods).

De-ox is only required with AL conductors. Even then it is not code required, just a really good idea.

__________________
Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

Tcal

Thanks ! You've been a big help....

Tom

Speedy Petey

No prob.

__________________
Sometimes I feel like if I answer any more questions it is like someone trying to climb over a fence to jump off a bridge and me giving them a boost.

Tcal

A follow up question....Now for the "small things".

Can I remove the jacket from the 4/0 cable once I get to the conduit to run it easier ? Possibly once I hit the R/A box ?

Does there need to be any support for the 4/0 cable when it enters
the switch ? Some sort of clamp ? (I know I'll be clamping it at the breaker box. )

Thanks,
Tom