150amp Residential Panel- Wire 2/0

[Brandonk1987]

Looking for some input on se wire sizing. I recently rewired the service coming into my residential home (single phase). I am in NY and pulled permits for the work.

What was installed:
2/0 aluminum se wire through 2" rigid conduit mast with weatherhead to new meter socket. From meter socket I ran 2/0 aluminum se to new 150amp panel (6ft run)

I spoke to National Grid electrician (power company in my area) who advised me to use the 2/0 aluminum se wire. He signed off on the work after seeing it complete. I had the town come in to inspect the wiring and new panel and was told by the town inspector the 2/0 is under sized and I need to run 4/0 wire.

It seems either the town inspector or the power company is misinformed. What is the appropriate size wire for a 150amp panel? If is is indeed typically 2/0 aluminum, would a town inspector wanting to see a 4/0 be typical?

Im willing to jump through the hoops and redo the wire but i also dont want to spend money and time if i dont need to.

Thanks in advance for any input.

 

[Megawatt]

Looking for some input on se wire sizing. I recently rewired the service coming into my residential home (single phase). I am in NY and pulled permits for the work.

What was installed:
2/0 aluminum se wire through 2" rigid conduit mast with weatherhead to new meter socket. From meter socket I ran 2/0 aluminum se to new 150amp panel (6ft run)

I spoke to National Grid electrician (power company in my area) who advised me to use the 2/0 aluminum se wire. He signed off on the work after seeing it complete. I had the town come in to inspect the wiring and new panel and was told by the town inspector the 2/0 is under sized and I need to run 4/0 wire.

It seems either the town inspector or the power company is misinformed. What is the appropriate size wire for a 150amp panel? If is is indeed typically 2/0 aluminum, would a town inspector wanting to see a 4/0 be typical?

Im willing to jump through the hoops and redo the wire but i also dont want to spend money and time if i dont need to.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Brandon welcome to the forum and the power company had no reason to talk to you about how to size your wire. As far as what the inspector told you tells me that he’s looking at it like a 200 amp service. Having said that you need to go with 2/0 copper which cost a little more than aluminum but it’s half the size and much easier to bend. From the meter to your panel is not a lot of wire so go with copper. Good luck

 

[Brandonk1987]

Thank you for the reply. I hadn't thought of copper, that should save my wrists some trouble. Would you recommend also running the cooper up the mast or just leave the 2/0 in ran in there?

I believe the issue was the wire coming in from the pole is only rate up to 150amp, so the power company said that would be the max I could run without having to pay to have that line replaced. Its about a 60ft run so I was trying to avoid that.

I only spoke to the power company because the weatherhead was pulled off my house in a storm and they were out to attach it until I could get a new mast to swap it to.

Ive been trying to get ahold of our local inspector about this but he hasnt returned my calls since last wednesday. I really appreciate you helping me with this, i just want to get it buttoned up so I can have the power turned back on.

 

[Megawatt]

Thank you for the reply. I hadn't thought of copper, that should save my wrists some trouble. Would you recommend also running the cooper up the mast or just leave the 2/0 in ran in there?

I believe the issue was the wire coming in from the pole is only rate up to 150amp, so the power company said that would be the max I could run without having to pay to have that line replaced. Its about a 60ft run so I was trying to avoid that.

I only spoke to the power company because the weatherhead was pulled off my house in a storm and they were out to attach it until I could get a new mast to swap it to.

Ive been trying to get ahold of our local inspector about this but he hasnt returned my calls since last wednesday. I really appreciate you helping me with this, i just want to get it buttoned up so I can have the power turned back on.

Brandon don’t worry about the power company. They can run smaller wire because it is in free air. I’ve got to admit I’ve never heard of a power company talking about your wire. Yes I would take out the aluminum wire going up to the service mast and replace it with 2/0 copper also. Tell the power company to shut the h—- up because they are not inspectors. If you do as I said you shouldn’t have any problems with the power company and it will pass inspection

 

[norcal]

If the panel is 150A, it does not need 4/0 AL wire, 2/0 AL is fine, that being said 150A & 200A panels cost the same the only increase in cost is the wire. I always considered 150 & 175A residential panels as a oddity, harder to find in a pinch, but things vary regionally too