1/0-4C Direct Burial Aluminum MC Cable with Bare Ground (PVC Jacketed)

1/0 4-Conductor Direct Burial Aluminum MC (Metal Clad) Cable is a durable branch and feeder power distribution line engineered to handle demanding electrical paths across industrial plants, commercial parks, and municipal developments. Consisting of four 1/0 AWG compact stranded AA-8000 series aluminum alloy power conductors paired with a bare aluminum ground wire, the cable is protected by a continuous Aluminum Interlocked Armor (AIA). Covered in a heavy-duty, sunlight-resistant polyvinyl chloride (PVC) outer jacket, this assembly is code-certified for direct burial in earth trenches or direct pour encasement within structural concrete walls, completely eliminating the labor and material costs of running rigid protective conduit networks.

AMPACITY RATINGS (NEC 310.16)

• 75°C Terminal Rating: 120 AMPS This is the standard engineering design rating. Use this value for final circuit sizing under normal operating conditions, as most commercial breakers, distribution lugs, and equipment terminals are restricted to 75°C terminations.

• 90°C Terminal Rating: 135 AMPS This is the maximum capacity rating. Use this value strictly as the baseline calculation factor when adjusting or derating for high ambient temperatures, or when bundling multiple cables closely together in a single trench or tray.

Key Features

• Versatile 120A Power Delivery (1/0 AWG): Sized to provide dependable electrical feeder capacity for commercial sub-panels, retail facility service entries, and high-load mechanical room installations.

• Full 4-Conductor Configuration: Built with 4 discrete power legs to comfortably run three-phase power along with a dedicated neutral, safely handling unbalanced current loads across multi-point commercial networks.

• Direct Burial & Concrete Encasement Rated: The heavy-duty, sunlight-resistant outer PVC jacket forms an impermeable barrier against soil chemistry, corrosive moisture, and physical impact, permitting direct trenches or structural concrete encasement.

• AA-8000 Aluminum Conductors: Manufactured with premium 8000-series compact stranded aluminum alloy, offering an exceptionally lightweight, cost-effective alternative to copper feeders while maintaining stable electrical performance.

• Aluminum Interlocked Armor (AIA): Spirally wrapped interlocking metallic armor ensures high crush resistance, physical barrier security, and defense against boring pests, eliminating the labor and material costs of traditional pipe-and-wire conduit installations.

• Cross-Linked Polyethylene Insulation: Inner core conductors are insulated with high-dielectric, flame-retardant XHHW-2 / XLPE insulation, certified for stable continuous operation at temperatures up to 90 degrees C in both wet and dry applications.

Common Applications

• Main Feeders & Service Entrances: Injecting raw power from outdoor utility transformers into high-capacity indoor distribution panels, switchgear arrays, and main disconnect hubs.

• Industrial & Heavy Manufacturing Layouts: Routing high-amperage power across industrial environments, paper mills, foundries, mining sites, and petrochemical operations via open indoor or outdoor cable trays.

• Direct Burial Site Distribution: Burying underground branch and feeder circuits between commercial facilities, outer maintenance hubs, outbuildings, and municipal wastewater treatment zones.

• Hazardous & Assembly Locations: Permitted for use in environments such as arenas, theaters, casino main floors, and industrial hazardous zones (Class I & II, Division 2; Class III, Division 1 & 2) per strict NEC provisions.

Circuit Identification: Standard 4-Conductor Phases

• Phase 1: Black

• Phase 2: Red

• Phase 3: Blue

• Neutral: White

• Equipment Ground: 6 AWG Bare Aluminum

Technical Specifications

• Conductor Size: 1/0 AWG

• Number of Power Conductors: 4

• Conductor Material: AA-8000 Series Compact Stranded Aluminum Alloy

• Ground Wire Size: 6 AWG Bare Aluminum

• Insulation Type: XLPE / XHHW-2 (Cross-Linked Polyethylene)

• Armor Type: AIA (Aluminum Interlocked Armor)

• Protective Outer Jacket: PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) - Black (Sunlight & Moisture Resistant)

• Voltage Rating: 600 Volts RMS

• Approximate Nominal Outer Diameter: 1.37 inches

• Approximate Net Weight: 0.81 lbs per foot

• Compliance Standards: UL 44, UL 1569 (Type MC), NEMA WC70 / ICEA S-95-658, IEEE 1202 (70,000 BTU/hr Vertical Tray Flame Test), RoHS Compliant

Technical Note: To prevent structural degradation from galvanic corrosion, installers must utilize dual-rated AL7CU or AL9CU mechanical compression lugs or mechanical split-bolts when joining this aluminum cable to copper busbars or breaker terminals. Penetrox or similar antioxidant joint compound must be thoroughly applied to all bare aluminum conductors before final structural torquing. While the PVC jacket isolates the interior armor against direct soil or chemical contact, minimum trench depth profiles must strictly comply with NEC Article 300.5 tables (typically requiring 24 inches of earth cover for direct-buried cables not under concrete paths, or 18 inches beneath standard structural landscapes).

CABLE TYPE: 1/0 AWG / 4-Conductor w/ Ground Aluminum Jacketed MC Cable

DISCLAIMER: The technical information provided is for general reference only. Large-scale high-voltage feeder systems and underground distribution paths must strictly adhere to the National Electrical Code (NEC), local electrical building enforcement, and relevant safety parameters. Always cross-reference the official product submittal data sheet from the chosen manufacturer prior to finalizing structural configurations or executing structural cuts.

General Shipping Information

In-stock orders placed before 3pm EST typically ship within 1-2 business days. Our business days are Monday through Friday; we do not process orders on Saturday, Sunday, or major US Holidays.

You will receive an e-mail with a tracking number within 1-2 business days from the time its shipped. You will also be able to view your order status and tracking numbers in your account order history.

Expedited Shipping

Expedited shipments are delivered Monday-Friday except on US Holidays. The order must be placed before 12pm CST to ship same day ( Mon-Fri Only).

Returns

You have 30 days from the day you receive the item to contact us for a return. Returns are subject to a 30% Restocking Fee.

Please contact us at help@wireamerica.com to request a return authorization. Have your order number or name the order was placed with ready and we will email you an RMA (return) number and instructions for return. Currently, we do not offer exchanges. A new order must be placed if you need a different item. If you provide the new order number at the time of your return request, the restocking fee may be lowered.

Orders on any items with a material value of $50 or less are non-returnable.