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what is the difference between se and ser cable

by Mr. Cooper Altenwerth Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Type SE and SER cables have a flame-retardant, moisture-resistant covering. SER cable has an insulated neutral (resulting in three insulated conductors) with an uninsulated EGC. SER cable is round, while 2-wire SE cable is flat. Type USE cable is for underground applications; its covering is moisture resistant, but not flame-retardant.

Basically, SER is a round service electrical cable that typically has up to four conductors and a bare neutral. The cable is designed to use above the ground in feeder panels and branch circuits. SEU is an unarmored Style U flat service electrical cable with two-phase conductors and a concentric neutral.Dec 3, 2020

Full Answer

What is the difference between ser cable and Seu cable?

-SER cable is used as an above ground service entrance cable, a panel feeder and in branch circuits. The cable is rated at 600 volts and 90°C for use in wet and dry locations. SER cables are LEAD FREE and RoHS compliant. -SEU cable is primarily used as panel feeder in multiple unit dwellings and for branch circuits.

What does “se” mean on a cable?

The lettering “SE” on a cable indicates the cable outer jacket and the internal conductors are designed for above‐ground installations and are listed for locations where the cable jacket and internal conductors are exposed to the sun in wet locations.  

What does Ser cable stand for?

Aluminum Service Entrance Cable Product Selection (SER Cable) SER is a type SE (service entrance), Style R (reinforcement tape) cable, used as an above ground service entrance cable, a panel feeder and in branch circuits.

What is type se cable made up of?

Type SE cable is made up of either: Type RHW, RHW‐2, XHHW, XHHW‐2, THWN or THWN‐2 insulated conductors, and the outer jacket of the cable is flame‐retardant. Type SE cable containing two or more conductors is permitted to have one conductor that is uninsulated.

What is SE wire used for?

Type SE cable is often used for interior wiring to supply heating and cooling equipment, appliance branch circuits and for feeders to subpanels.

What is type SE wire?

Southwire® Type SE cable is constructed with sunlight resistant Type XHHW- 2 conductors or Type THHN/THWN conductors. Copper conductors are annealed (soft) copper. Cable assembly plus reinforcement tape are jacketed with sunlight resistant gray polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Can you use ser cable for sub panel?

SER is a perfect cable for feeding power to your sub-panel, and, depending on the amount of amps their sub-panels are handling (we've seen everywhere from 50 amp to 200 amp sub-panels being serviced), our customers are using all sizes of SER as a sub-panel feeder.Feb 8, 2018

What is #2 Ser cable rated for?

600 voltsThe cable is rated at 600 volts and 90_C for use in wet and dry locations. SER cables are LEAD FREE and RoHS compliant.

Does Ser cable need conduit?

Technically SE cable ran indoors is treated as NM cable.... I'd recommend metallic flex though if a conduit is to be used. Show activity on this post. SER is fine.Oct 25, 2016

How do you secure a ser cable?

Nonmetallic-sheathed cable shall be supported and secured by staples; cable ties listed and identified for securement and support; or straps, hangers, or similar fittings designed and installed so as not to damage the cable, at intervals not exceeding 1.4 m (4½ ft) and within 300 mm (12 in.)Apr 10, 2021

What size wire do I need for a 100 amp sub panel?

#4The cable must have a wire gauge sufficient to the amperage of the subpanel—a 100-amp subpanel requires #4 copper wires or, more commonly, #2 aluminum wires, for example. (Aluminum is often used for feeder cables because the cost is typically much lower than that of copper wires.)Mar 24, 2022

Can you wire a subpanel with 3 wires?

Grounds and neutrals were isolated to provide separate paths back to the panel. Another way to wire a subpanel was with a three-wire feed; two hots and a neutral, with grounds and neutrals connected together at the subpanel. In this case, the grounds and neutrals have to be connected together.Jul 16, 2019

What size wire do I need for a 200 amp sub panel?

Installation of 200 amp electrical service needs a #2/0 AWG copper wire or #4/0 AWG for aluminum or copper-clad wire inside a minimum of 1.5 inches, schedule 40 or 80 PVC conduit for underground service. However, 2 or 2.5 inches is recommended if running 3 wires in the same conduit.Apr 4, 2022

Can ser be run in conduit?

SE cables simply can't be buried, conduit or no conduit.Oct 5, 2020

What kind of cable do I need for a 200 amp service?

For a 200 amp service, you'll need: #2/0 copper wire, or. #4/0 aluminum or copper-clad aluminum wire.Mar 25, 2022

What is SER cable?

Basically, SER is a round service electrical cable that typically has up to four conductors and a bare neutral. The cable is designed to use above the ground in feeder panels and branch circuits.

What is the difference between SER and SEU?

Despite their similarities, SER and SEU have different anatomy that determines that they should be used during different steps of your electrical project. SEU cable has a neutral conductor, but does not have a ground conductor. Since neutral conductors and ground conductors are connected at the point of service disconnect, SEU cables can only be used up to the service disconnect to avoid significant safety concerns. Meanwhile, SER cables are equipped with neutral and ground conductors, which makes them perfect for use after the service disconnect. The National Electrical Code requires neutral and ground wires to be separated when feeding a panel, so using service ground cables in the way indicated above is crucial to meet NEC's requirements.

What Is a Service Entrance Cable?

Service Entrance (SE) cables are electrical cables that bring power from electrical companies to residential buildings and our homes. The National Electric Code (NEC) indicates that service entrance cables are essentially used for services. SER and SEU are two common types of SE cables. These electrical cables are rated 600 volts and are suitable for both dry and moist applications. Both SER and SEU are flame-retardant and resistant to moisture. Both cables may have RHW, RHW-2, XHHW, XHHW-2, or THWN or THWN-2 conductors, depending on the particular product.

What is the difference between copper and aluminum electrical cables?

Aluminum service entrance cables are cheaper, lighter, and generally easier to install, whereas copper cables are more durable with superior electric conductivity. Both aluminum and copper electrical cables are of excellent quality, so the choice boils down essentially to the priorities of your particular electrical project. ...

What is the hood called for a neutral cable?

The ends of the neutral conductor and the two hot conductors are then connected to the service entrance cable, which is pulled through a protective metal hood called "the waterhead.".

Is SEU a flame retardant cable?

Both SER and SEU are flame-retardant and resistant to moisture. Both cables may have RHW, RHW-2, XHHW, XHHW-2, or THWN or THWN-2 conductors, depending on the particular product. One noticeable issue that the customer wishing to purchase SER or SEU always stumbles upon is confusion about what those two abbreviations mean due to misinformation online.

Is SEU cable underground?

SEU cable is sometimes called an underground service cable online, which is not true. Neither SEU nor SER is rated for use underground. The only similar cable that is suitable for the underground is USE.

How many conductors does a SEU cable have?

Style SEU cable has two phase conductors surrounded by a concentric neutral while the SER style has two, three or four phase conductors and a bare neutral.”

What does SE mean in a POCO?

The “SE” in both of these stands for “Service Entrance”. That is the cable that brings the power from the POCO (Power company) to you at your home.

Can SEU be used as a grounding conductor?

SEU cable can only be used up to the the service disconnect (as a service entrance conductors). There is no grounding conductor (Ground) only a grounded conductor (Neutral). At the service disconnect this where the normal bonding of the grounding conductor and grounded conductor happens.

What is a SEU cable?

SEU cable is SE (Service Entrance) Style U, which means it is unarmored. It is typically used as a panel feeder in multi-unit residential settings. Both types should be rated at 600 volts and 90ºC, and is for use in both wet and dry conditions.

What is a service entrance cable?

SER cable is SE (Service Entrance) Style R, which has a reinforcement tape and may be made of copper or aluminum. SEU cable is SE (Service Entrance) Style U, which means it is unarmored.

What is a conductor in electrical?

Definition: The conductors (electrical cable with multiple wires) that connect and carry the electrical current the service conductors (drop or lateral) above ground to the service equipment of the building. It can also be used as a panel feeder and in branch circuits.

What is a SER cable?

Likewise, people ask, what is an SER cable? SER is a type SE (service entrance), Style R (reinforcement tape) cable, used as an above ground service entrance cable, a panel feeder and in branch circuits. It is most often used to deliver power from the service drop down to the meter base, and from the meter base to the distribution panel board.

How many phase conductors does a SEU cable have?

Style SEU cable has two phase conductors surrounded by a concentric neutral while the SER style has two, three or four phase conductors and a bare neutral.”. Click to see full answer. Likewise, people ask, what is an SER cable?

Can you use SER in conduit?

You can use SER in conduit but can't run it underground in or out of conduit.

SER Cable

SER is a type SE (service entrance), Style R (reinforcement tape) cable, used as an above ground service entrance cable, a panel feeder and in branch circuits. It is most often used to deliver power from the service drop down to the meter base, and from the meter base to the distribution panel board.

SEU Cable

SEU is a type SE (service entrance), Unarmored (U) cable. Aluminum SEU cable is primarily used as panel feeder in multiple unit dwellings and for branch circuits.

What is SE cable?

SE cable means service entrance and the difference between ser and seu is the 3 wire vs 4 wire and is allowed outside but not underground.

How many conductors does a SER cable have?

The SER is tyically round and useally have 4 conductors in the cable ( most common for feeder apps and some three phase usage.)

What does SEU stand for in a cable?

SER stands for Service Entrance cable that has Reinforcement tape. SEU is an abbreviation for Service Entrance cable, Underground.

What is Southwire Type SE?

Southwire Type SE, service entrance cable is used to convey power from the service drop to the meter base and from the meter base to the distribution panelboard; however, it may be used in all applications where Type SE cable is permitted.

What is service entrance cable?

Service-Entrance Cable. A single conductor or multiconductor

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