You have stated my position correctly.Don's point was that in his opinion the wording of the NEC allows no amount of service conductor to enter the building.
I would have to have come from outside the building directly into the back of the panel. Now as I am sure you are aware in MA that is not the case, most panels are in the basement and have 3' to 5' of service conductors coming in through the sill and down the basement wall into the top of panel. In Don's opinion the NEC directly prohibits that.
Well, of course. How else do you make it look all pretty on the outside :grin:California is a great example, they allow the RMC service riser to enter the building through the roof and down inside the wall all the way to the panel. One would have to imagine that after many years of allowing this if it was resulting in fires the powers that be would change the rules. Especially since CA seems quick to 'make a rule' needed or not.:smile: