Nassau Electrical Supply 50' Nassau 4-4-4-6 SER Aluminum Service Entrance Cable

Why I picked this SER cable

I recently needed a 60A feeder for a detached workshop and wanted something that would be quick to install, code-appropriate for above-ground runs, and reasonably priced. I went with Nassau’s 4-4-4-6 aluminum SER cable in a 50-foot length. It’s a straightforward product: three 4 AWG aluminum conductors and a 6 AWG aluminum equipment ground under a grey jacket, rated 600V. That configuration covers a lot of common residential use cases—service entrance conductors from meter to main, main-to-subpanel feeders, and larger 120/240V appliances where a four-wire connection is required.

From the outset, the practical appeal is weight and cost. Aluminum is significantly lighter than copper in the same ampacity class and typically much easier on the budget. That matters on longer pulls and when you’re working solo in an attic or along a long basement run.

Build quality and handling

The cable arrived coiled neatly with end caps over the conductors, and the jacket printing was crisp and legible. Sequential footage markings made it easy to plan cuts and supports, and the coil I received included a bit of extra length—handy insurance when you’re trying to land on lugs without adding a junction.

The grey SE-style jacket is tough enough to shrug off incidental scuffs during installation. It doesn’t nick easily, yet it strips cleanly with a sharp knife and a light touch. Inside, the conductors were well laid with consistent stranding. The color coding on my set was clear (two hots, a neutral, and a ground), which simplifies termination in tight panels.

Flexibility is about what you’d expect for this size class: stiffer than NM-B but not a bear to work with. Large sweeping turns are fine; tight bends will fight you. If you keep the bend radius conservative and pre-form your turns, it routes cleanly around corners and through stud bays. It lays flat against framing and takes staples/clamps uniformly without mashing the jacket.

Installation notes

• Planning and routing: This cable is designed for above-ground service entrance and feeder applications. It is not a direct-burial product. I treated it like any SE cable: kept it protected from physical damage, ran it indoors, and used listed connectors at enclosures. Check your local code for support intervals and securing requirements.

• Conduit and entries: It’s best to size your connectors and knockouts generously. The outside diameter is chunky enough that a too-tight connector will slow you down. A listed SE cable clamp with a smooth bushing makes a difference at panel entries.

• Stripping and prep: The jacket strips cleanly with a score-and-peel technique. Once exposed, the aluminum conductors respond well to a quick brush and a dab of antioxidant compound. I used AL/CU-rated lugs at both ends and torqued to the manufacturer’s spec. If you haven’t worked with aluminum lately, modern AA-8000 series conductors and good terminations go a long way toward eliminating historical issues.

• Length accuracy: The footage markings tracked perfectly with my tape, and I had enough slack to dress the conductors neatly into the lugs.

• Heat and load: After installation, I checked terminations under load with an IR thermometer; everything stayed cool and even. For a 50-foot run at 60A on a 240V feeder, the expected voltage drop on 4 AWG aluminum is modest (on the order of 1–2 volts), which aligns with what I measured.

Suitability and code considerations

You’ll want to match this size to your load calc, the temperature rating of connected equipment, and your local amendments. As a general guide, 4 AWG aluminum conductors are commonly used for feeders in the 60A class when terminations are rated appropriately. In my case—modern panels with 75°C AL/CU lugs and a modest run length—it was a solid fit.

A few reminders:

• Verify your panel and breaker terminations accept aluminum and are rated for the conductor size.
• Use antioxidant compound where required or recommended by the lug manufacturer.
• Torque to spec; don’t guess. Aluminum is unforgiving of loose or over-tightened terminations.
• Maintain proper clearances, support spacing, and protection. SER is for above-ground use; if you need an outdoor or underground route, plan for conduit and conductors listed for wet locations, or choose a cable rated for that environment.

If you’re doing service entrance work (meter to main), permits and utility coordination are typically required. For many homeowners, this is the point where hiring a licensed electrician is the right call.

Performance in use

Once energized, the cable behaved exactly as it should. No noise issues, no detectable imbalance beyond normal loads, and temperatures at the lugs stayed boringly normal. That’s what you want from a feeder: predictability. The jacket shows light scuffs if you drag it over masonry, but no bruising or jacket lift. Staples held well without biting in.

One subtle perk: aluminum’s lower mass means less fatigue on long overhead runs. Pulling a 50-foot length across a basement ceiling solo was manageable. With copper in this gauge, I’d have wanted a second set of hands more often.

Aluminum vs. copper for this use

If you’re agonizing over aluminum vs. copper for a feeder:

• Aluminum wins on cost and weight, making it ideal for longer runs where budget matters.
• Copper wins on flexibility and smaller outside diameter at the same ampacity, which can help in crowded conduits or tight panels.

For a 50-foot, 60A-ish feeder, aluminum SER is a very practical choice. The key is execution at the terminations and respecting bend radius and support rules.

What I’d change

There’s not much to fault. If I’m nitpicking:

• The jacket memory out of the coil is a bit stubborn in cold temperatures. Letting it relax or warming it slightly before installation helps.
• I’d love a slightly more supple jacket for tighter panel turns, though that trades off with durability.

These are minor preferences rather than problems.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners and electricians running above-ground service entrance conductors or feeders to subpanels in attics, basements, or attached garages.
• Anyone looking to feed a workshop, EVSE subpanel (depending on current and manufacturer guidance), or larger appliances that specify aluminum-acceptable terminations.

Who should look elsewhere:

• Projects that require underground runs or exposure to wet environments without conduit—this cable isn’t for that.
• Situations where ultra-tight bending or very small connectors are unavoidable—individual THHN/THWN conductors in conduit may be easier to manage.

Pros

• Solid build quality; clean jacket printing and accurate footage marks
• Manageable stiffness and good abrasion resistance
• Lighter and more affordable than copper at similar ampacity
• Straightforward stripping and termination with AL/CU lugs
• Consistent performance under load with minimal voltage drop over 50 feet

Cons

• Stiff in cold weather; benefits from pre-forming turns
• Larger outside diameter than an equivalent copper solution
• Not suitable for direct burial or unprotected exterior wet locations

The bottom line

This Nassau SER cable did exactly what I needed: provide a reliable, code-appropriate aluminum feeder in a manageable 50-foot length, without surprises. The handling is predictable, the markings are helpful, and the conductors terminate cleanly when you use the right lugs, anti-oxidant, and a torque wrench. For above-ground service entrance and feeder work in the 60A range—where budget, weight, and straightforward installation matter—I recommend it. The combination of build quality, sensible design, and the practical advantages of aluminum make it a smart, workmanlike choice.