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Code Question Of The Day Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Question: Subject: 3/0 Welding Cable Is 3/0 AWG 600v welding cable suitable as conductor feeds for a continuous duty disconnect that feeds the normal side of a Automatic transfer switch? I am unable to find the specs/parameters for welding cable in the code. Kerry Frazier Electrician's Helper   Answer: Hey Kerry, thanks for participating. Listed welding cable is intended for use as the secondary conductors of electric welders and unless also marked as one of the other types of wire shown in Table 310.104 generally cannot be used as building wire. Welding cable is very finely stranded and if used must be used with listed terminals for this application.   Section: 630.41 Source: Charlie Trout

ANSWERS: Answers are the author’s opinions and do not represent formal interpretations of the National Electrical Code.

All answers are based on the latest edition of the NEC, unless the question requests a response based on a specific edition.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Charlie Trout is a nationally-known NEC expert and author. He served on three different National Electrical Code-Making Panels and is past chairman of CMP-12. He is also a member of the NECA Codes & Standards Committee. In 2006 Charlie Trout won the prestigious Coggeshall Award, given to recognize outstanding contributions to the electrical contracting industry in the technical and training area.

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