Why such a large wire from meter to panel?

Question

The electrical inspector makes me use #002 from the meter to the panel. Then the power company comes and connects a #2 wire from the street to the meter. This makes no sense to me. It seems we are wasting this worlds resources for nothing.

If I needs this large size to prevent fire, why does the power co hook up with 2 sizes smaller?

Answer 1

I don't know where you are, but in North America there is no such thing as #002 wire. Do you mean 2/0, spoken as two aught ? At any rate, conductors in free air have a higher capacity (AMP) rating than conductors in a cable or conduit. Also, power companies comply with (in the US) the National Electrical Safety Code, which is an entirely different animal than the National Electric Code, which applies to buildings

Answer 2

Are you talking about the electric meter or the water meter? Does this wire go inside the conduit or outside of it? Is there also a ground rod?

Since you did not specify, I will assume you meant from the water meter to the panel. If you mean from the electric meter to the panel, you will have to explain further because there is not enough information to answer that. For example, is this in addition to the neutral? What is the wire size for the hot leads? Is this really the neutral? What is the correct wire size? Don't think #002 is correct.

A wire to the water meter is required for safety, but it is usually around a number 8.

The wire from the street to the electric meter that you are talking about is critical to the proper transmission of power to your house. The wire from the water meter to the panel is there strictly as a safety measure. It is not necessary for the power to work, but only for increased safety.

Because of that, they are not redundant as one might think. That said, I have seen a broken neutral wire coming from the street. The power in the house worked just fine. There were no symptoms. I just happened to notice the broken wire while doing other work to the house. That is not a safe situation, but it did work just fine.

You did not mention it, but there MUST also be a wire jumpering from the house side of the water meter to the street side of the water meter. Having the electrical path through the water meter is not acceptable for safety.

Also, did you really mean a #002 wire when you said that? It also makes a big difference between copper and aluminum wire.

Answer 3

This also may have something to do with the actual material the wire is made from. Aluminum wire has to be larger than copper due to the resistance of the metal.

But like tropicalturbodave said, you need to follow what the inspector says. Basically, in there jurisdiction, they are like God!

Answer 4

Trying to explain things like this to an electrical inspector will only lead to YOUR frustration. The inspector is always right, remember that when dealing with them.

I agree with you though. It makes no sense but you have to do it anyway to pass.

Answer 5

You will waste more of the worlds resouces if your house burns down and you will pollute the world with the bur. You need wire this size to carry the current.