Is Welding Cable Permitted for a 200 Amp Electrical Service

Can I use welding cable in place of solid wire to route from the meter box to the breaker panel… © By: Dave Rongey

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Is Welding Cable Permitted for a 200 Amp Electrical Service
Background: Gordon, a Homeowner from Arvada, Colorado
[ad#block]Question: Can I use welding cable in place of solid wire to route from the meter box to the breaker panel. I am not sure how to bend 000 wire to make the bends.

I need to upgrade to 200 amp service for the solar company to install the photovoltaic system.

Thank you.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Gordon.
Gordon all the specs look good for the welding cable with one exception, that welding cable is not an approved cable unless it specifically has a Dual Rating which is required by the NEC Defined Cable Rating and the cable size may have to be increased depending on the loads that would be placed on the circuit.

When installing 3/0 cable to the 200 amp service make sure that the entry point is in line with the lug terminals in the panels to minimize the number of bends. Using a good pair of gloves will help bend the cable. There are cable benders available from your local electrical wholesale supply house or over the internet

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