Aluminum Wire for Subpanel

[BentBierz]

Merry Christmas everyone!

Have a quick question before the grandkids show up for Christmas.

I currently have 100 amps fed to my detached steel building using aluminum wire. This feed comes from my main panel at my house. I am having 400 amp run to my shop and will feed the existing 100 amp panel from the new 400 amp panel. I will be removing the wire from the conduit between the house and the building and using that conduit run at a later date to pull internet to the building.

Question: Would you all repurpose the aluminum wire to connect the two panels inside the building or **** it up and purchase copper? The run between my house and shop is approx. 100' and the run inside the shop from the 400 amp panel to the 100 amp is approx. 45 feet as the conduit runs so I have plenty of wire for the project.

 

[acer66]

Unless it is damaged or so old that it has different temperature ratings etc. I do not see a reason why not to use it.

 

[Aceman]

If it's in good shape and not USE type insulation, I don't see why not.

USE insulation can't be used inside structures. If it's RHH, RHW, XHHW, etc insulation you're fine.

 

[Terry D]

As long as you can get it out of the pipe without damaging it. There is nothing wrong with using aluminum for feeders to services and sub panels, as long as it has the correct insulation as mentioned.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Is it 3-wire feeder or 4-wire?

Depending on when it was installed, it may only be 3-wire and thus you would need to add a 4th wire for the ground.

 

[Jim greengo]

I'd bite the bullet and run it in copper,how far is it between the sub panel and new service?

 

[Norcal]

I'd bite the bullet and run it in copper,how far is it between the sub panel and new service?

Absolutely nothing wrong with properly installed aluminum conductors, copper is the conductor of choice but is way more dough.

 

[Jim greengo]

My issue with it is physical size of conductors and being a pain in the *** to work with .
That's why I asked about the distance between panels,how many bends/offsets in there?

 

[teamextreme]

You already have it, I'd use it, but with the caveats listed above regarding condition, conductor type, and especially wylies comment about 3-wire vs 4-wire.

 

[johnnyradiant]

I thought gold was the conductor of choice, but was WWWAAAYYY more dough.

 

[BentBierz]

If it's in good shape and not USE type insulation, I don't see why not.

USE insulation can't be used inside structures. If it's RHH, RHW, XHHW, etc insulation you're fine.

Thanks for the heads up. I'm not certain what type it is. The portion that I can see inside both panels doesn't have any markings that I can easily see until I start pulling it out.

 

[BentBierz]

Is it 3-wire feeder or 4-wire?

Depending on when it was installed, it may only be 3-wire and thus you would need to add a 4th wire for the ground.

Thanks. This is a 4-wire feeder.

 

[BentBierz]

You already have it, I'd use it, but with the caveats listed above regarding condition, conductor type, and especially wylies comment about 3-wire vs 4-wire.

That was kind of my thought. The wire is "bought and paid for" so might as well use it if it is a type allowed for indoors.

 

[BentBierz]

I'd bite the bullet and run it in copper,how far is it between the sub panel and new service?

The run is approx. 45 feet.

 

[slow]

I thought gold was the conductor of choice, but was WWWAAAYYY more dough.

Silver is actually better than gold for conductivity. That is why you will find silver plated busbar in some switchgear. Gold is one of the best at corrosion resistance however

 

[alfredeneuman]

That is why you will find silver plated busbar in some switchgear.

It's not just switchgear.
Cutler-Hammer "CH" panels come standard with silver plated copper busbars.

 

[Bert_]

It's not just switchgear.
Cutler-Hammer "CH" panels come standard with silver plated copper busbars.

Pretty sure that's just a tin plating. I could be wrong.

Other brands do it also.


As far as reusing the wire, well that depends on if you can get it out of the conduit very easily. I would use aluminum for the run weather you reuse the old or buy new.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Pretty sure that's just a tin plating. I could be wrong.

"Features, Benefits and Functions
Loadcenter Construction
Eaton’s Type CH loadcenters feature silver flash plated copper bus in all interiors"

 

[Jim greengo]

"Features, Benefits and Functions
Loadcenter Construction
Eaton’s Type CH loadcenters feature silver flash plated copper bus in all interiors"

I dont care if they're platinum plated,I'll stick with homeline panels for residential use myself!
Homeline panels are layed out a lit better for my taste anyway.

 

[slow]

I am sure it is used in other stuff, I just commented on the silver plated bus bar as I have seen it first hand Square D plant in Seneca many years ago.

 

[KenC]

It will be fine. but, be sure to check with your local code enforcement. Our local does not allow aluminum conductors inside a building.

They even had me remove wire from the masthead to a new panel that replaced a fuse box and replace with copper years ago. then the city electric guys attached the aluminum service to my new copper, all 10 feet of it!

 

[MattT]

If the wire pulls out OK check what it is and what size it is. Wouldn't be surprised if it's #2.........................

 

[alfredeneuman]

Building Departments pretty much frown on using used electrical equipment (especially wire)
Be sure and ask them if they are OK with it beforehand....just tell them it's recycled and you're doing your fair share to be "green"