What does URD mean in wire?

Underground residential distribution wire (URD) is an aluminum wire for underground utility systems where it is installed in ducts or conduits for secondary power distribution. The cable consists of several stranded or compressed strands of aluminum wiring (typically THHN or XHHW).

Does URD wire need to be in conduit?

URD also called Mobile Home feeder, comes in 3-wire or 4-wire, so it’s an option. It’s legal for direct burial underground, but not for use indoors without conduit as if it was Romex or something.

What is URD utility?

An Underground Electric Development (URD) is an underground electric distribution system where each secondary lateral supplies a single meter serving a single-family residential unit.

What is the ampacity of #2 aluminum?

Allowable Ampacities of Insulated Aluminum or CopperClad Aluminum Conductors

Conductor Size (AWG/KCMIL) 60°C (140°F) TW, UF 90°C (194°F) TBS, SA, SIS, FEP, FEPB, MI, RHH, RHW-2, THHN, THHW, THW-2, THWN-2, XHH, XHHW, XHHW-2, USE-2, ZW
3 65 85
2 75 100
1 85 115
1/0 100 135

What type of cable is URD?

Secondary underground distribution cables are used to run power from a pad mounted transformer to the service entry or meter of a structure. The cables are rated for installation in underground duct or directly buried in earth. They are offered in single conductor, duplex, triplex, and quadruplex.

What kind of wire do I need for a 100 amp subpanel?

The 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.)

What is URD equipment?

The URD Grounding Assembly is used for underground personal protective grounding elbow used for grounding pad-mounted equipment, switches and transformers when performing de-energized maintenance on URD distribution systems, and draining DC capacitive charges from de-energized URD cables.

What is aluminum URD?

Quadruplex Aluminum 600V URD cable is designed for use in secondary distribution circuits, where installed in duct or direct burial applications. Maximum operating temperature is not to exceed 90°C in wet and dry locations. Voltage rating is 600 volts. As an option, this cable can be provided pre-pulled into duct.

What size aluminum wire is needed for a 200 amp service?

The Short Answer: Like with aluminum, you’ll need a #4/0 copper-clad aluminum wire for a 200 amp service.

Can URD be used inside?

600V TRI-RATED 8000 SERIES ALUMINUM URD Material is constructed with 8000 series compact aluminum conductors and is approved for indoor use per the NEC.

What temperature rating is URD?

Triplex Aluminum 600V URD cable is designed for use in secondary distribution circuits, where installed in duct or direct burial applications. Maximum operating temperature is not to exceed 90°C in wet and dry locations. Voltage rating is 600 volts. As an option, this cable can be provided pre-pulled into duct.