Splicing SE Cable on Exterior of House

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Pierre C Belarge

Pierre C Belarge

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Location
Westchester County, New York
Hello guys, I have question about code sections in the '05 for splicing of SE cable.

A contractor installed SE cable to the weatherhead. The weatherhead is too short and has to be extended. The utility company told him to splice it with barrel crimps and they would be satisfied.

I was asked by the EI if this is permitted. I am saying no based on the cable assembly.

I would appreciate if someone here could direct me either way to code section(s) that would or would not permit this installation.

Thanks!
 
How would they splice it without taking off the jacket? If they put a weatherhead on the se cable and spliced longer leads then I could see that as okay.
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
Find that here
230.54(C)
Click to expand...
Thank you.. I didn't know this but I rarely do overhead services and the poco used to install the point of attachment. I see there is an exception. I wonder why this article is necessary. If the wire has a drip loop it would not seem to matter where the poa is. Sorry off topic.

Back to your question-- I am with you on the splice in the service cable. It would be almost chaeper to just replace the dang wire.
 
480sparky said:
OK, now I'm lost. Where does it say there that you cannot splice SE conductors?
Click to expand...


I am not saying they cannot be spliced.The method is the issue.
What the utility company told the contractor: To use barrel crimps and splice on 'conductors' (not SE Cable) to extend up to the new weatherhead location.

The existing SE cable sheathing would become exposed to weather/water entrance into the sheating. The open conductors would have to adhere to 230.51(B) [not too asthetically pleasing], and the UL White Book references seem to point in the direction that this would create issues.
 
Interesting question.

If it is not permitted than I guess the conductors cable jacket can not be removed on either side of the weather head.
 
I am at a bit of a loss but isn't there somewhere in the code that allows conductors to be run exposed on a building provided they are protected within so many feet of the ground.


Anyway, with the use of SE cable I would think that if there is a splice then it should be done in an enclosure approved for it. We cannot use open splices for UF or other cables unless it is terminated in a fitting approved for the purpose.
 
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