1994 Home, with solid strand aluminium

[mathew stouffer]

I thought this was interesting. This place was built in 94 and this circuit is for the range. At first I thought nothing of it, just thought it was stranded. Upon closer inspection I realized it was solid strand. I thought they stopped using solid strand in the early 80's.

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[Jim Robinson]

I thought so too. It looks like copper to me, though.

[Bruce Ramsey]

See it all the time on new construction. Solid strand aluminum to a 220/240 dedicated applicance. Very common around here for range, wall oven, dryer, A/C, hot tub, etc.

Licensing board only cares about single strand 110/120 BRANCH circuits.

[mathew stouffer]

Bruce,
Thanks for the info. It is a first for me. Happy Thanksgiving.

[Tom Rees]

Mathew, The solid strand wiring to look out for is branch circuit wiring 14 and 12 AWG. They haven't had the same problems with the heavier gauge wire as long as it has anti-oxidant paste at connections. I see the solid aluminum for appliances here all the time. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong here.

[Jim Port]

See it all the time on new construction. Solid strand aluminum to a 220/240 dedicated applicance. Very common around here for range, wall oven, dryer, A/C, hot tub, etc.

Licensing board only cares about single strand 110/120 BRANCH circuits.

All of those mentioned would require larger than #10 conductors which would make it stranded wire. No. 10 AL would only have an ampacity of 20 amps.

[Tom Rees]

What AMP breaker is that for the oven Mathew?

[mathew stouffer]

40amp

[Tom Rees]

That would require #8 solid strand aluminum. Which it appears to be. Jim, I am curious what you meant that because the wire is larger than # 10 that would make it stranded. I hate it when people jump all over others on this site but if there is something I'm missing I would like to know. Thanks!!

[ken horak]

If that is a Non-Metallic cable or a SE type cable you will need a minimum of a # 6 for 40 amps,
What is the wiring method for the conductors in question? Conduit , if so what type of conductor insulation? Cable ?
Will need the answers before one can determine the ampacity allowed.

[mathew stouffer]

Ken,
I may be misunderstanding the question, but here is what is noticed. The wire in NM sheathed and there was nt conduit. I could see where it came through the back of the wall in the kitchen. For some reason they had an access panel, must have been for installation of a water line to the frig. Is that the info you are looking for.

[ken horak]

Yep
If thats NM Cable or SE cable- then it is limited to the 60 degree column in article 310.80 of the NEC.

You say it's on a 40 ampere circuit breaker, then the conductor size should be a #6 minimum.
If it's a #8 NM cable then it can not be on a 40 ampere circuit breaker as # 8 aluminum NM Cable is only rated for 30 amps.
#10 Aluminum = 20 amperes
#12 Aluminum = 15 amperes

[Rollie Meyers]

Yep
If thats NM Cable or SE cable- then it is limited to the 60 degree column in article 310.80 of the NEC.

You say it's on a 40 ampere circuit breaker, then the conductor size should be a #6 minimum.
If it's a #8 NM cable then it can not be on a 40 ampere circuit breaker as # 8 aluminum NM Cable is only rated for 30 amps.
#10 Aluminum = 20 amperes
#12 Aluminum = 15 amperes

Is not the 60 degree rating for SE/SER cable new in the 2008 NEC bringing it into line w/ the requirements for NM cable? In 1994 SER was OK for 75 degree.

To some of the other posters, there is no such thing as "Solid Strand" wire, it's Solid OR Stranded.

[mathew stouffer]

Thanks

[ken horak]

Is not the 60 degree rating for SE/SER cable new in the 2008 NEC bringing it into line w/ the requirements for NM cable? In 1994 SER was OK for 75 degree..

I looked back to 1987 and for interior use of SE cable it was restricted to the 60 degree column for amperage.