Get notified when this product is back in stock
Physical Specifications
Technical Specifications
Usage & Installation:
Packaging & Dimensions:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This 500 MCM, 3-conductor cable is specifically color-coded for 480V 3-phase industrial power systems. The Brown, Orange, and Yellow phase identification is the industry standard for high-voltage commercial and industrial distribution (277/480V). This cable is most frequently used as a primary feeder for heavy industrial equipment, large-scale motor control centers (MCCs), and main distribution panels in massive facilities like data centers, hospitals, and manufacturing plants.
Managing three separate 500 MCM conductors is an immense physical task; a single conductor of this size is thick and resistant to bending. Priority-Plex® pre-twists the three phases into a single, synchronized bundle at the factory. This helical arrangement allows the cable to act as a singular structural unit, which significantly reduces the "spring-back" effect when training the wire into large switchgear. More importantly, it eliminates the risk of conductors "crossing over" or wedging in conduit bends, which is the primary cause of stalled pulls and damaged insulation in heavy industrial projects.
At the amperage levels typical for 500 MCM (often 310A to 350A depending on terminations), heat management and insulation integrity are paramount. XHHW-2 insulation is made of Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE), a thermoset material that offers a massive advantage over standard PVC. XLPE will not soften or melt under high thermal loads or emergency overcurrent conditions. Furthermore, it provides superior resistance to the oils, chemicals, and moisture commonly found in industrial environments, ensuring that the critical 480V power backbone remains stable for decades.
The allowable ampacity for 500 MCM Aluminum is dictated by the temperature rating of the equipment lugs as per NEC Table 310.16. For 75°C Terminations, it is rated for 310 Amps. For 90°C Terminations, it is rated for 350 Amps. In many large industrial settings, these cables are "paralleled" (two or more sets of 3C-500 MCM) to achieve service capacities of 600A, 800A, or more. Because all three conductors in this twisted bundle are current-carrying phases, standard NEC adjustment factors must be applied if multiple circuits occupy the same conduit.
Due to the massive diameter and weight of a 500 MCM 3-conductor bundle, proper infrastructure planning is critical. To meet the 40% fill requirement of the NEC, a 3.5-inch or 4-inch conduit is generally required. Professional installers recommend a 4-inch pipe to ensure enough room for the twisted bundle to navigate "sweep" elbows without excessive friction. Always use UL-listed AL9CU mechanical or compression lugs, and apply an antioxidant joint compound to the stripped 8000-series aluminum alloy to prevent oxidation and ensure a low-resistance connection.
(833) 268-8644
Get this thing filled up so you can help Wire America!