What is the ampacity of a single 1/0 AWG THW aluminum conductor installed in free air at an ambient temperature of 104°F?

To determine the ampacity of a single 1/0 AWG THW aluminum conductor installed in free air at an ambient temperature of 104°F, we refer to standard ampacity charts, which provide the maximum current-carrying capacity of conductors based on various factors including the material of the wire, its size (gauge), installation method, and ambient temperature.

For a 1/0 AWG aluminum conductor, the base ampacity in free air at standard ambient temperatures (usually around 86°F) is typically around 180 Amps. However, as the ambient temperature increases, the ampacity decreases due to the reduced ability of the conductor to dissipate heat.

At 104°F, which is higher than the standard temperature, we need to apply a temperature correction factor. This factor accounts for the decrease in ampacity as temperatures rise above the standard reference point. For aluminum conductors, there is a common correction that results in a decrease from the standard ampacity.

After taking the appropriate correction for the elevated temperature of 104°F into account, the calculated ampacity for a single 1/0 AWG aluminum conductor typically resolves to approximately 158 Amps. This value reflects the impact of the increased ambient temperature on the