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Physical Specifications
Technical Specifications
Usage & Installation:
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This high-capacity, jacketed armor cable is optimized for permanent installations requiring high ampacity and robust physical protection without the need for traditional pipe routing. Common uses include:
The most searched question for this heavy-gauge cable collection focuses on why standard metal-clad armor cannot be buried without a PVC jacket. The answer is Galvanic Corrosion and Chemical Isolation. While the interlocking aluminum armor acts as a tough physical shield against rock shifts and shovel strikes, raw aluminum deteriorates rapidly when exposed to the acidic chemistry of natural soil, moisture, or curing concrete. The seamless PVC outer jacket creates a completely waterproof skin that isolates the metal armor from environmental elements, ensuring a 30+ year lifespan underground.
Wire America ships all of our 250 MCM 3C Direct Burial Aluminum MC Cable directly from our centralized fulfillment centers throughout the United States. We are able to cut to length, process, and ship your order within 1–2 business days and ship straight to your job site, commercial, or residential property. Most standard orders arrive at your doorstep within 2 to 4 business days, with expedited shipping options available at checkout.
No. While the PVC jacket is heavily treated with UV inhibitors to protect it from sunlight damage during construction, it is not legally rated to sit exposed on the ground permanently. Over many years, intense direct sunlight, freezing ice, lawn equipment, and local wildlife can slowly degrade the plastic skin. It must either be buried in a trench or securely strapped along a building framework.
Under National Electrical Code (NEC Table 310.16) guidelines, 250 MCM aluminum cable is rated for 205 Amps at standard 75°C terminal ratings (170 Amps at 60°C and 230 Amps at 90°C). Always consult with a licensed electrician or local building inspector to verify the correct cable size and local code requirements for your specific project.
Inside the 250 MCM-3C layout, you will find three insulated power conductors (typically colored Black, Red, and White) alongside a bare aluminum ground wire. The Black and Red wires act as your "Hot" phase lines, the White wire connects to your neutral bus bar, and the bare wire terminates directly into the ground bus bar.
You must use UL-listed wet-location / direct-burial MC fittings (often called jacketed MC connectors or liquid-tight MC fittings). Standard indoor squeeze connectors cannot be used because they do not form a watertight seal around the outer PVC jacket.
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