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HELP - Electrical / Wiring with new build of home

Hello and thank you for reading this.

As some of you know, I am in the process of building a new home, with a dedicated audio room, 5 dedicated 20A circuits, etc., and other features to hopefully help the system sound its best for many years to come.

While walking the house this evening, I noticed the large "umbilical" coming from the breaker box, running through the basement rafters out to the garage (I assume to be connected to the meter outside) appeared to be aluminum. The electrical drop must have been a good 2" or perhaps even 3" in diameter, with 4 distinct stranded wires inside. Again- all appeared to be aluminum.

I have done some forum searches, and didn't find much, but am quite sure I have been told to make sure it is all copper and NO aluminum. I have already shot off an email to the builder, but I will need help and/or "ammunition" as to why the aluminum is "unacceptable" and why it needs to be copper.

Please correct me if I am incorrect and the aluminum is fine. Please also give me all the info I need to get the copper if the aluminum is not good.

Thank you for all the help in advance!
audiofankj
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,524 posts
 
.....and one other thing that bears mentioning I think. Aluminum is not as good a conductor as copper, and presents a larger voltage drop per a given length than copper. If it's over 40 feet +/_ of wire run from your breaker panel to your system, even with copper, it's a good idea IMO to go up a wire size. From 10AWG to 8AWG for 20A circuits.
nrchy's avatar
nrchy
2,125 posts
 
It's probably too late now, but your service line should have been run underground. It is much better shielded that way, less susceptable to RF, and various anomolies...

If weight is an issue, there's another reason to run it underground. I know that service lines can be done in copper. The cables are still being made, they are just not used with the same rate of frequency as in the past.

You're only going to do this once (theoretically) so make sure it's done right. It will be more expensive and harder to do down the road.
jeff_jones
418 posts
 
Walkelin - Why do you think copper is better? If you are worried about impedance you can get more mho per $ with aluminum. If you are concerned about safety, that is not a concerned shared by the electrical construction industry (assuming proper terminating devices and relatively heavy gauge wire).
albertporter's avatar
albertporter
4,949 posts
 
I can see it now Jeff_jones, the NEXT big thing from Audio Research.

ATTENTION AUDIOPHILES:

The new line of ARC REF products are now wired completely with aluminum, no more traditional low MHO per $ copper !

Buy now before the rush.
audiofankj OP
373 posts
 
Thanks to all whom have responded. It seems that it is more than widely accepted here in Georgia (not sure if this is a state or regional thing) that the drop from the breaker panel to the meter, as well as from the meter is usually aluminum. I have spoken to two different builders working for the company I am buying from as well as another from a different company. All have been using aluminum from the breaker to the meter. One had been in the industry 9 years, the other 15, forgot to ask the other. As for the drop from the meter to the street, that is done from the electrical company, but am also being told it will be aluminum.

I still haven't heard back yet as to price of the copper form the breaker panel to the meter...
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