SE-Rwith (UL 854)

SER (SE-R, UL 854) Round Service Entrance Cable

1. Model Definition & Compliance Standards

SE = Service Entrance Cable R = Round stranded construction, commonly abbreviated as SER Overall cable certified to UL 854; each insulated core complies with UL 44 (XHHW-2); governed by NEC Article 338. Installation rule: Approved only for overhead aerial routing, exterior wall mounting, conduit & cable tray above ground; direct underground burial is strictly prohibited. Electrical rating: 600V AC, continuous 90°C for both dry & damp above-ground locations; short-circuit withstand temperature max 250°C.

2. Round Internal Construction (Inner to Outer)

Conductor Class B compact stranded bare copper or AA8000 aluminum alloy (dominant for residential & commercial projects). Standard gauge: 6AWG ~ 300kcmil. Configurations: Single-phase: 2 phase conductors + insulated neutral + bare ground wire Three-phase: 3 phases + neutral + ground for small commercial power supply
XLPE Insulation Thermoset cross-linked polyethylene, XHHW-2 listed, UV & moisture resistant, color-coded for easy termination.
Reinforced Binding Tape Fiberglass polyester tape stabilizes round structure and resists abrasion.
Overall Outer Jacket Light gray UV-stabilized flame-retardant PVC sheath, rainproof, mild salt spray resistant, VW-1 flame rated.

3. Key Technical Specifications

Rated voltage: 600V AC Operating temperature: constant 90°C dry & damp above ground Short-circuit temp: max 250°C Cold bend: no cracking at -25°C Flame grade: UL VW-1 Minimum bending radius: 7.5 times cable outer diameter Permitted installation: overhead service drop, exterior wall wiring, conduit, cable tray; underground burial forbidden.

4. Core Advantages

Round shape ideal for conduit pulling & routing Smooth circular profile facilitates threading through pipes and bending, which flat SE-U cannot achieve; the standard choice for wiring from meter base to indoor main panel requiring conduit protection.
Separated neutral & ground complies with NEC safety codes NEC mandates isolated neutral and equipment ground after the main service disconnect; SER’s independent conductors meet this requirement perfectly, while SEU uses combined concentric neutral only permitted before the meter.
Cost-effective aluminum alloy option AA8000 aluminum is nearly 40% lighter than copper, reduces overhead line sag and support hardware load for long spans.
Stable high ampacity in damp environments XHHW-2 insulation delivers consistent 90°C current capacity for heavy household appliances including air conditioners and water heaters.
Long outdoor service life Dual-layer XLPE + PVC weatherproof construction resists long-term outdoor exposure, with a service lifespan of 30~40 years.

5. SER vs SEU Comparison

SER (Round): Separated neutral & ground, conduit/tray compatible; used for meter base to indoor panel, 3-phase commercial feeders. SEU (Flat): Integrated concentric neutral, only for overhead wall mounting; limited to utility pole to meter box inlet wiring.

6. Application Scope

Primary wiring from residential meter base to indoor main distribution panel
3-phase overhead power supply for suburban convenience stores & small retail shops
Feeder cables for detached garages and outbuilding subpanels
Renovation wiring requiring conduit protection for aged residential circuits
Above-ground cable tray power distribution for small workshops and industrial yards