Quote:
Originally Posted by jasin1
No disrespect to Mainer..I would urge you to stay away from aluminum wire for this application..it’s best used by electricians not homeowners.
You need the knowledge and skill set to work with aluminum wire to safely make connections..
You have to go to a heavier gauge wire in aluminum vs copper..
6 gauge copper equates to 4 gauge aluminum.
Aluminum wire expands and contracts due to heat at a different rate then copper therefore you need very secure connections that do not get moved around a lot like what would happen with an extension cord.
The plug ends your using may not be rated for aluminum conductors
The plug ends probably will not fit the larger diameter aluminum wire
More fires and burned up connections happen with aluminum wire used in the wrong application.
You cannot join aluminum and copper wire without very specific connectors and practices.
Even “simple” l things like stripping the wire has to be done carefully…you can easily knick the wire causing it to break when you make the connection.
I would only use it for service entrance cable for a breaker panel with secure connection points.
I’m sure some electricians use aluminum wire for certain applications but IMO this isn’t one of them
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Your observations are correct, that is why I stated that at the ends of the aluminum to use a cheap disconnect box or sub panel to tie the aluminum to copper for the plug and receptacle. Those boxes have al/cu connections.
I failed to add that the aluminum needs no-ox or similar connection grease, also available at Lowes or HD.
Since this aluminum wire is very bulky and stiff, it certainly is NOT appropriate for use as a "portable" cord especially with boxes at each end. It would be appropriate as a semi-permanent installation.
With 50 amp breakers (al/cu) in a panel using 4/4/4/2 AL SER to a 50 amp pedestal is the only good way to do a long run economically with little voltage drop.
Son-in-law has almost 300 feet of 2/2/2 AL URD between his solar batteries/inverters and barn with 5 big freezers then another 400+ feet of it from there to his other barn with negligible voltage drop. It would have doubled the cost of the second barn to use copper.