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Physical Specifications
Technical Specifications
Usage & Installation:
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It is primarily used as a maximum-capacity main feeder line for 200A main panels, commercial distribution boards, large agricultural buildings, solar farms, and heavy industrial machinery. Because it features built-in interlocking aluminum armor under a waterproof PVC jacket, it can be laid directly in open trenches or encased in concrete without buying or gluing separate PVC conduit pipe.
Under National Electrical Code (NEC Table 310.16) guidelines, 4/0 AWG aluminum cable is rated for 180 Amps at standard 75°C terminal ratings (150 Amps at 60°C and 205 Amps at 90°C). Under NEC 240.4(B) provisions, this cable is commonly protected by a 200 Amp breaker for standard dwelling feeder applications. 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 4/0-3C layout, you will find three insulated conductors alongside a bare aluminum ground wire. Depending on the manufacturer run, the insulated conductors are either color-coded (Black, Red, White) or Black with printed numbering/phase tape. Two conductors serve as your "Hot" lines connecting directly to main breaker positions, one serves as the Neutral line returning to the neutral bus bar, and the bare wire terminates directly into the equipment 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.
Wire America supplies an extensive inventory of Direct Burial Aluminum MC cable cut by the foot or on master reels. Most cut-to-length orders are processed and shipped within 24 to 48 hours, delivering directly to your shop or jobsite within 2 to 4 business days once in transit.
We ship orders from the regional distribution hub closest to your jobsite to keep transit times and freight costs as low as possible. Expedited shipping options are also available at checkout.
Working against a tight jobsite or inspection deadline? Call our team directly at 833-268-8644 to request priority processing
You must use the internal bare aluminum wire as your safety ground. While standard unjacketed indoor MC armor can sometimes serve as a grounding path in specific assemblies, the outer PVC jacket on direct-burial cable isolates the armor and prevents standard fittings from creating an approved ground connection. NEC 330.108 requires terminating the internal bare equipment grounding conductor (EGC) directly into your ground bus bar.
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.
Aluminum conductors naturally expand and contract slightly under electrical loads. Hand-tightening panel screws with a standard screwdriver can lead to loose connections over time as the wire heat-cycles, increasing the risk of arcing and electrical fires. NEC code requires using a torque wrench to tighten terminal screws to the manufacturer’s exact inch-pound specifications.
Standard stranded wire leaves micro-gaps between circular strands, creating a thicker overall cable. Compact stranding compresses the AA-8000 aluminum alloy strands during manufacturing to eliminate air pockets. This reduces the cable’s overall diameter and makes it easier to pull and bend without reducing power capacity or metal volume.
Yes, this cable is fully code-approved for crawl spaces, basements, and attics. Even though it is jacketed for outdoor direct burial, its interlocking metal armor meets strict indoor safety requirements, allowing you to secure it directly across floor joists or wall studs without running separate conduit pipe.
No, you should never hitch this cable to a vehicle to pull it. Heavy 4/0 AWG cables have strict Maximum Pulling Tension limits. Vehicles exert uncontrollable force that can stretch internal aluminum conductors, thin insulation, or snap the interlocking metal armor. Always pull the cable by hand or use a specialized cable tugger equipped with a safety slip-clutch.
No. While the PVC jacket contains UV inhibitors to withstand direct sunlight during construction, it is not code-approved to rest exposed on top of the ground permanently. It must either be buried in a trench at the required depth or securely strapped along a building framework.
Yes. Do not attempt to cut this cable with standard hand pliers or a hacksaw, which will flatten the wire and fray internal strands. Use mechanical ratcheting cable cutters designed for large-gauge wire to maintain a clean, rounded conductor profile that slides easily into terminal lugs.
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