Overhead 4-wire service, residential

[inspector 102]

A homeowner wishes to provide a load panel in a detached garage via on overhead drop. Given that detached accessory buildings are required to be served by a 4-wire assembly, is there a wiring type available to accomplish this? My understanding is the 4-wire is required but a grounding system is still required at the accessory building, unlike a load side panel within a structure where additional grounding is not required. Have never run across a four wire aerial cable for single phase application. Thanks

 

[480sparky]

I call it quad-plex or quadruplex.

 

[sawdust454]

We have added a fourth conductor to triplex before and a fifth for 3 phase.

 

[jwjrw]

I call it quad-plex or quadruplex.

Im confused at how both can be fed from overhead. If service is on house how would you do it or did I misunderstand again?

 

[jwjrw]

Im confused at how both can be fed from overhead. If service is on house how would you do it or did I misunderstand again?

Would the garage not have to have its own meter that way?

 

[iwire]

I call it quad-plex or quadruplex.

Where is the use of that allowed by the NEC?

 

[480sparky]

Im confused at how both can be fed from overhead. If service is on house how would you do it or did I misunderstand again?

Would the garage not have to have its own meter that way?

He's feeding a detached garage from the house via an overhead line. What does that have to do with a service? Why does it need to be metered?

 

[480sparky]

Where is the use of that allowed by the NEC?

Don't worry about it, Bob. The world's going to end in 2012, so what difference does it make?

 

[jwjrw]

He's feeding a detached garage from the house via an overhead line. What does that have to do with a service? Why does it need to be metered?

Are you saying he is going to come off a breaker in main panel out the top then to the panel. I was thinking he meant to tap onto overhead service.

 

[480sparky]

Are you saying he is going to come off a breaker in main panel out the top then to the panel. I was thinking he meant to tap onto overhead service.

No, install it just like a branch or feeder circuit.

 

[iwire]

Don't worry about it, Bob. The world's going to end in 2012, so what difference does it make?

10/4 that makes sense. :grin:

 

[jwjrw]

No, install it just like a branch or feeder circuit.

Im having trouble picturing how it would look. Would it have sometype of riser? I dont think I have ever seen one done this way.

 

[480sparky]

Im having trouble picturing how it would look. Would it have sometype of riser? I dont think I have ever seen one done this way.

Take a circuit from a breaker in the main panel, and run it 'backwards' up a mast, convert it to the quadplex, run it overhead to the garage, and run it back down another mast at the garage.

Sorry for the overly-simple image. I don't have Photoshop.​

 

[iwire]

I don't have Photoshop.

You really do need some help.:grin:


Photoshop Verb. - To photoshop is to edit an image, or manipulate it to look different.

 

[480sparky]

You really do need some help.:grin:


Photoshop Verb. - To photoshop is to edit an image, or manipulate it to look different.

Sorry, I'm beyond help. And I can't Photoshop images without Photoshop.:roll:

 

[jwjrw]

Take a circuit from a breaker in the main panel, and run it 'backwards' up a mast, convert it to the quadplex, run it overhead to the garage, and run it back down another mast at the garage.

Sorry for the overly-simple image. I don't have Photoshop.​

I think I'd rent a trencher and someone to use it
I thought it would look similar but couldnt picture where you would change over. Thank you.

 

[480sparky]

I think I'd rent a trencher and someone to use it
I thought it would look similar but couldnt picture where you would change over. Thank you.

I'd prefer UG as well, but there may be a driveway issue.

 

[kevin]

Quadruplex is a utility-grade product and therefore is most likely not "listed", however reasonable inspectors will not prohibit its use. Size it to Table 310.16 and not to the manufacturer's published data since you must not exceed the temperature rating of the terminations [110.14(C)]. The connectors (split bolts, gutter taps, etc.) may well be rated 90 degC, allowing you to size the quadruplex to the 90degC column of Table 310.16, but a safer course would be to use the 75 degC column.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Where is the use of that allowed by the NEC?

It is my opinion that Article 396 permits the use of this type of cable.

 

[iwire]

It is my opinion that Article 396 permits the use of this type of cable.

Sure if it is listed.