Do I need conduit?

I'm going to run aluminum URD 4/0 cable to provide power to my shop from a pedestal transformer. Although this is direct burial wire, do I need to encase it in conduit due to fireants?

Thanks.

If it’s direct burial no.

Fire ants will only get to it if it’s cut.

I personally would never run direct burial aluminum though. We’ll direct burial at all.

Do I need conduit?

I'm going to run aluminum URD 4/0 cable to provide power to my shop from a pedestal transformer. Although this is direct burial wire, do I need to encase it in conduit due to fireants?

Thanks.

Yes, the meter is at the pedestal.

No gophers in our neck of the woods. I'm guessing because of the heavy black clay.

I was at least going to put the last 10 feet of each end in conduit with 90's up to the meter box on one end and the breaker box in the barn.

No other water lines or gas lines in the vicinity. This is out in the county. Connecting a meter on a pedestal (near my light pole and existing transformer) and running 300 feet to a barn that will soon be getting a concrete floor and turned into a shop for FFA projects.

I agree that I would prefer copper but WOW it is high right now.

Interesting, Ive never heard of aluminum referred to as a better conductor than copper or really better than anything electric related.

Interesting, Ive never heard of aluminum referred to as a better conductor than copper or really better than anything electric related.

Interesting, Ive never heard of aluminum referred to as a better conductor than copper or really better than anything electric related.

Maybe conductor wasn’t the wording I was going for. Aluminum for service cable can be just as good as copper, although you’ll have to step up in size some, but it’s lighter and easier to work with being it flexes easier than copper. We had some right turns when going from house to shop, copper would’ve never made those turns.