Questions and Answers for Southwire 500 ft. 1/0-1/0-1/0-2 Gray Stranded AL SER Cable

A:  No inside wiring only. For direct burial cable you need to buy UF Cable (underground feeder)

A:  Yes, according to charts, this is the correct size.

A:  Please consult with our team at cabletechsupport@southwire.com for further assistance.

A:  No it cannot be used for a 200 amp.

A:  No. 60 to 100 amp max.

A:  It is a data cable with a special shield on it.

A:  I believe you are referring to Cat 5 underground cable. This is typically used for Ethernet cabling up to 100 Mb/s and up to 300 ft (100 m) distance. It is gel-filled so that it is suitable for direct burial.

A:  Hello! Simple answer first. If you are uncomfortable doing any of this call an electrician! make sure your wire is buried to local code, eg - 24" deep with red tape above it. For 50A with direct burial cable in Aluminum you will need a minimum of 6 AWG. If you you do this project in Copper, you will need a minimum of 8 AWG. I would recommend not using direct burial cable. Get some 1" conduit and run Copper THHN or THWN in 8 AWG. Most outdoor camper power boxes are 30A. They sell them in stock at most stores. To follow code @ 250' you should install a weather proof sub panel on a post ( as a main disconnect ). Use a 50A dual pole breaker from your main panel to feed a sub panel. Use 2 hot wires, 1 neutral and 1 bare ground. Keep neutral and ground un-bonded ( Separate )at the sub panel and put an 8 foot copper ground rod in the ground, and another 6 feet away from the first. (2 ground rods connected in series) At the desired location, install a 30A camper power outlet box attached to your sub panel. A sub panel off of your sub panel. Something like --- https://www.homedepot.com/p/Eaton-Power-Outlet-Panel-Un-Metered-CHU4N7NS/100116200 You can use a 50A or 30A RV power box as your sub panel. However, with the long distance, and grounding required, I would clean up the installation with a sub panel first, then feed to your RV panel. if you do not need an RV panel, simply purchase as manu FSE outdoor boxes as you need plugs, install the proper size breaker in your sub panel and feed each outlet off its own breaker in the sub panel. I installed a 50A sub panel in my yard. I have 3x 20A breakers and 3x 20A GFCI outlets and 1x 15A breaker with 1x 15A GFCI outlet all on this pole. Good Luck!

A:  Can be used with or without conduit as it’s service entrance rated. You’ll need to check your local codes to determine if they allow for your intended application and appropriate depth. Personally, I wouldn’t direct bury even if allowable. I ran underground inside 2” pvc with 4- 90’s but it was my house and I plan to be here for a while. PVC is cheap...

A:  NO

A:  Only in conduit. URD cable is what your looking for if you trying to avoid conduit installation.

A:  I have about a six foot piece left from my installation and it weighs about 3 pounds, so I'd say around 8 ounces per foot. The spool it came on, like the one in the picture, was much heavier than the piece I purchased. It was no problem handling this by myself. I used it to run a 100 amp circuit to a sub panel in my basement from my main panel in the garage.

A:  0.54 lbs per ft

A:  The weight per foot is .54 lbs.

A:  Weight is 530 Lbs/M

A:  You can run it the same as would romex.

A:  You’ll have to check your local ordinance or get advise from an electrician. I’m not an electrician, but I did get advise from one here in Michigan and I ran mine without conduit along my garage ceiling placing brackets every 16” and running it into conduit along the wall to gain access into my basement to a sub panel. Then I had an electrician come and connect the power and setup the sub panel. I saved a little money by running it my self first.

A:  Yes, your plan sounds good. It does not need to be in conduit unless subject to damage.

A:  That's what I did, I ran it up from my garage breaker close to the ceiling then over and down then through a hole in the wall into what would become the basement ceiling, then ran it along that ceiling to were I placed my breaker. I put one clamp every 18 inches or so on the garage interior wall and then one on every joist in the basement I'm not an electrician, but I did have my work inspected and it passed where I live. This is Service Entrance wire so it can be used without conduit if local building codes allow it. Please check your local building code to insure your installation meets their code.

A:  For a 200 amp what? For a 200 amp subpanel you could use 4/0-4/0-4/0-2/0 aluminum SER Cable. For 200 amp service entrance you could use 4/0-4/0-4/0 OR 4/0-2/0-4/0 SEU cable. Both SER and SEU cables are prohibited by the NEC from being installed underground; cannot be used direct buried and cannot be used in buried conduit.