Cu AL breakers - InspectionNews

dan orourke · #1 (**permalink**) 05-02-2007, 05:40 PM

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Rick Cantrell · #2 (**permalink**) 05-02-2007, 05:48 PM

I don't think it was allowed to use stranded aluminum wire in branch circuits.
How about it Jerry

Rick Cantrell · #3 (**permalink**) 05-02-2007, 06:10 PM

Thanks Dan, I did not know that.
And , sorry I implied only Jerry would know.

Jerry Peck · #4 (**permalink**) 05-02-2007, 07:10 PM

From the NEC. (bold is mine)
- 310.14 Aluminum Conductor Material.
- - Solid aluminum conductors 8, 10, and 12 AWG shall be made of an AA-8000 series electrical grade aluminum alloy conductor material. Stranded aluminum conductors 8 AWG through 1000 kcmil marked as Type RHH, RHW, XHHW, THW, THHW, THWN, THHN, service-entrance Type SE Style U and SE Style R shall be made of an AA-8000 series electrical grade aluminum alloy conductor material.

#8 AWG can be either solid or stranded, smaller than #8 AWG is to be solid, and larger than #8 AWG is to be stranded.

Jim Luttrall · #5 (**permalink**) 05-02-2007, 08:44 PM

I think the original question was about the rating of the breakers for Al.
Any breaker used for AL must be rated for AL no matter the size.
Simpler is usually better. (at least it is easier for me to remember)
Jim

Jerry Peck · #6 (**permalink**) 05-02-2007, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall

I think the original question was about the rating of the breakers for Al.
Any breaker used for AL must be rated for AL no matter the size.
Simpler is usually better. (at least it is easier for me to remember)
Jim

Yes, that was the original question, I answered the later question.

The simpler way to remember it is that any *terminal* allowed to be used for 'aluminum' is to be marked for use with aluminum.

Whether that terminal is on a breaker, terminal bar, device (switch/receptacle outlet), etc.