“2 AWG 4-Conductor Direct Burial Aluminum MC (Metal Clad) Cable is a high-efficiency electrical power line designed to deliver continuous feeder and branch circuit power across demanding commercial and light industrial applications. Combining four independent 2 AWG compact stranded AA-8000 series aluminum alloy power conductors with a bare aluminum ground wire, the assembly is shielded within a continuous Aluminum Interlocked Armor (AIA). Finished with an extruded, sunlight-resistant polyvinyl chloride (PVC) outer jacket, this power cable stands up to aggressive soil chemistries, water submersion, and mechanical crushing, satisfying code requirements for direct placement in trenches or raw concrete forms without the expense or installation time of auxiliary conduit networks.”

Key Features & Benefits: 2/4 Direct Burial MC Cable

• High-Efficiency 2 AWG 4-Conductor Design: Optimally scaled for three-phase 4-wire commercial sub-panels, 90A branch feeder lines, and complex industrial equipment hookups.

• Four-Conductor Power Core Alignment: Groups four individual insulated conductors inside a tight physical diameter, ensuring full neutral and multi-phase line distribution within a single armor sheath.

• Direct Burial & Concrete Encasement Rated: The heavy-duty, sunlight-resistant outer PVC jacket forms an impermeable barrier against soil chemistry, corrosive moisture, and physical impact, permitting direct trenches or structural concrete encasement.

• AA-8000 Aluminum Conductors: Manufactured with premium 8000-series compact stranded aluminum alloy, offering an exceptionally lightweight, cost-effective alternative to copper feeders while maintaining stable electrical performance.

• Aluminum Interlocked Armor (AIA): Spirally wrapped interlocking metallic armor ensures high crush resistance, physical barrier security, and defense against boring pests, eliminating the labor and material costs of traditional pipe-and-wire conduit installations.

• Cross-Linked Polyethylene Insulation: Inner core conductors are insulated with high-dielectric, flame-retardant XHHW-2 / XLPE insulation, certified for stable continuous operation at temperatures up to 90C in both wet and dry applications.

Technical Specifications: 2-2-2-2-6 Conductor Direct Burial Alum MC Cable

• Conductor Size: 2 AWG

• Number of Power Conductors: 4

• Conductor Material: AA-8000 Series Compact Stranded Aluminum Alloy

• Ground Wire Size: 6 AWG Bare Aluminum

• Phase Colors (240V): Black, White, Red, Blue

• Insulation Type: XLPE / XHHW-2 (Cross-Linked Polyethylene)

• Armor Type: AIA (Aluminum Interlocked Armor)

• Protective Outer Jacket: PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) – Black (Sunlight & Moisture Resistant)

• Voltage Rating: 600 Volts

• Temperature Rating: -40C to 90C

• Amp Rating (@ 75C – NEC): 90 Amps

• Amp Rating (@ 90C – NEC): 100 Amps

• Insulation Thickness: 0.045 inches

• Jacket Thickness: 0.050 inches

• Approximate Nominal Outer Diameter: 1.33 inches

• Approximate Net Weight: 662 lbs per 1,000 ft

• Minimum Bending Radius: 9.31 inches (Calculated as 7x Diameter Over Jacket)

• Compliance Standards: UL 44, UL 1569 (Type MC), NEMA WC70 / ICEA S-95-658, IEEE 1202 (70,000 BTU/hr Vertical Tray Flame Test), ASTM B800 & B801, NEC 518.4, NEC 520.5, NEC 645.5, and NEC 300.22.

Common 2/4 Alum MC Cable PVC Jacket Applications

• Main Feeders & Service Entrances: Injecting raw power from outdoor utility transformers into high-capacity indoor distribution panels, switchgear arrays, and main disconnect hubs.

• Industrial & Heavy Manufacturing Layouts: Routing high-amperage power across industrial environments, paper mills, foundries, mining sites, and petrochemical operations via open indoor or outdoor cable trays.

• Direct Burial Site Distribution: Burying underground branch and feeder circuits between commercial facilities, outer maintenance hubs, outbuildings, and municipal wastewater treatment zones.

• Hazardous & Assembly Locations: Permitted for use in environments such as arenas, theaters, casino main floors, and industrial hazardous zones (Class I & II, Division 2; Class III, Division 1 & 2) per strict NEC provisions.

Ampacity Note (NEC Table 310.16)

• 75C Terminal Rating: 90 AMPS This is the standard engineering design rating. Use this value for final circuit sizing under normal operating conditions, as most commercial breakers, distribution lugs, and equipment terminals are restricted to 75C terminations.

• 90C Terminal Rating: 100 AMPS This is the maximum capacity rating. Use this value strictly as the baseline calculation factor when adjusting or derating for high ambient temperatures, or when bundling multiple cables closely together in a single trench or tray.

Technical Note: To prevent structural degradation from galvanic corrosion, installers must utilize dual-rated AL7CU or AL9CU mechanical compression lugs or mechanical split-bolts when joining this aluminum cable to copper busbars or breaker terminals. Penetrox or similar antioxidant joint compound must be thoroughly applied to all bare aluminum conductors before final structural torquing. While the PVC jacket isolates the interior armor against direct soil or chemical contact, minimum trench depth profiles must strictly comply with NEC Article 300.5 tables (typically requiring 24 inches of earth cover for direct-buried cables not under concrete paths, or 18 inches beneath standard structural landscapes).

DISCLAIMER: The technical information provided is for general reference only. Large-scale high-voltage feeder systems and underground distribution paths must strictly adhere to the National Electrical Code (NEC), local electrical building enforcement, and relevant safety parameters. Always cross-reference the official product submittal data sheet from the chosen manufacturer prior to finalizing structural configurations or executing structural cuts.