[Classic_Toby]

We have a 1500ft run of 3 phase 480v. After the voltage drop calcs, we are pulling #2 copper. I knew there was a savings in alum, but after pricing it put it was huge. Our customer want copper, even after the savings.

What are your thoughts of the new alum wire for feeders?

Sorry if this is a repeat topic

 

[phil125ca]

I have installed large feeders using al before with no issues. al has it's place......it's really up to the customer.

 

[btharmy]

Sure, I'll pull aluminum to cut cost for the customer, make the pull easier and increase profits for myself. If the customer specs copper, regardless of the savings, then they get copper. They get whatever they are willing to pay for.

 

[Classic_Toby]

I have installed large feeders using al before with no issues. al has it's place......it's really up to the customer.

any issues with call backs? Loose connections, all the stuff that gives AL a bad rep...

This is a long term customer of ours. If I say AL is ok to run they will. We make more on copper, because it is a cost/plus % job.

 

[Big John]

There's nothing mysterious about aluminum. Use proper terminations and install them to the correct torque. Add a little antioxidant for some extra insurance.

 

[MTW]

Given a choice I will use aluminum every time.

 

[Next72969]

Given a choice I will use aluminum every time.

you might as well be installing fpe or zinsco

 

[MTW]

you might as well be installing fpe or zinsco

:thumbup::laughing:

 

[five.five-six]

If engineered and installed correctly al is just as good as cu.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[T&K]

I'm always amazed at what certain members deem as hack, lazy, or unprofessional, and what they deem professional, craftsman like, and the only way to do it...

 

[wildleg]

if pointing to all the power lines and asking the customer what they think is in those wires, and telling them how much they'll save doesn't convince them to use AL, then heck, take the extra O&P and run with it.

 

[captkirk]

If your customer wants copper then what's the issue ?

 

[ponyboy]

If your customer wants copper then what's the issue ?

Sounds like he wants to use aluminum but charge for copper

 

[ponyboy]

This is the pull I did last week. If I went with aluminum it would have been 3 runs of 500 instead of 2. Which would have been another 500' of 4" and the labor to put it up. Where's the savings there?

 

[MTW]

This is the pull I did last week. If I went with aluminum it would have been 3 runs of 500 instead of 2. Which would have been another 500' of 4" and the labor to put it up. Where's the savings there?

I don't think anyone suggested that aluminum is less expensive across the board. But with AL being about 1/3 the cost of CU, the savings are significant under the right circumstances.

 

[ponyboy]

I don't think anyone suggested that aluminum is less expensive across the board. But with AL being about 1/3 the cost of CU, the savings are significant under the right circumstances.

True I can see it making sense in smaller feeders but the constant trade off is you're sacrificing cost for ampacity and physical size

 

[Classic_Toby]

Sounds like he wants to use aluminum but charge for copper

Would be nice to make that kind of money, but would not have this customer any more. This customer is not set up that way. We get a % over the material cost. We design, engineer, install everything. I brought up AL and it's savings, but they want copper cause it's better/safer/etc. I know what the sales reps say. Really looking to get an opinion from people who have used it.

 

[bkmichael65]

Considering the number of electricians clueless about torque specifications and think antioxidants are just found in vitamins, it's often better to go with copper

 

[ponyboy]

Would be nice to make that kind of money, but would not have this customer any more. This customer is not set up that way. We get a % over the material cost. We design, engineer, install everything. I brought up AL and it's savings, but they want copper cause it's better/safer/etc. I know what the sales reps say. Really looking to get an opinion from people who have used it.

The place I work employs tons of engineers and knowledgable people who know damn well there's nothing wrong with aluminum conductors. Nevertheless, we can't use it. They don't even care to give us a reason, they just won't have it. Personally I couldn't care less

 

[captkirk]

Sounds like he wants to use aluminum but charge for copper

that's pretty much stealing.