90 PVC Elbow causes service to flunk

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donselec

donselec

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Aurora, CO, USA
Here's a new one. Atleast for me. I put in a 200A service on a cabin, underground. Meter on side of house, came down out of meter with 2" Sch. 80 PVC a few inches, into a PVC LB, in through the rim joist, PVC 90 elbow down and straight into the panel. Panel had main breaker. All conduit will be recessed behind drywall, none exposed except the LB outside. Inspector flunked it, said if the pipe didn't have the 90 elbow bend it would be okay. Anyone ever run into that? All PVC was properly installed with couplings, cement, etc., approved. I suppose if you can no longer install conductors in a conduit that has a bend in it, we're all in trouble. Just wondered if anyone else ran into this or knew what he might possibly be talking about. Thx.
 
Actually I didn't talk to him myself, he told the homeowner this. Also the total length of the service conductors from meter to panel is about 5 feet, so I don't see how it would violate 230.70(A)(1). Seems to be the bend that's the problem. Maybe he's "bent", I don't know.:smile:
 
donselec said:
If I do talk to him I'll certainly ask, but I wondered if anyone else ever heard of it.
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I've done similar installations. Funky call by the inspector, if you got the straight scoop.


Actually I didn't talk to him myself, he told the homeowner this.
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Sometimes there are translation problems when information passes through the customer to you.
 
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Could be. It's in Steamboat Springs CO, I've never worked there before, I guess we'll see what comes of it. He's already paid me for the job but I need to try to help him get through this. I guess I would want to know the specific violation (if any).
 
donselec said:
Actually I didn't talk to him myself, he told the homeowner this. Also the total length of the service conductors from meter to panel is about 5 feet, so I don't see how it would violate 230.70(A)(1). Seems to be the bend that's the problem. Maybe he's "bent", I don't know.:smile:
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The 90 shouldn't factor into it but in some areas the 5 feet might be a little much for 230.70(A)(1)
 
C3PO said:
The 90 shouldn't factor into it but in some areas the 5 feet might be a little much for 230.70(A)(1)
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Well he did say it had something to do with the bend, but it's running the shortest route possible to the panel, so I don't know. But maybe the length is the issue, we'll see. Thx.
 
Perhaps he wanted to see it drilled directly through the foundation wall? That would kind of make the statement make sense. Without the 90, it would have gone straight into the panel, right?
 
The 90 brings it down into the top of the panel (panel is in basement). Otherwise you could go straight down from the meter outside, and then LB into the back of the panel. Why would that be better I don't know.
 
Around here if the pipe containing service conductors sees daylight, it is too long. It must directly enter the back of the can to be in compliance with 230.70, in my neck of the woods. :)
 
I have had an EI "allow" GRC for about 15' into the main....otherwise it's 230.70 fail.

*Maybe* your EI will allow the same?
 
The set-up described is somewhat used in my area. The vast majority of services are done with SEU cable here, but if PVC is used it is done just as described in the OP.
 
90 El or Sweep

90 El or Sweep

donselec said:
Here's a new one. Atleast for me. I put in a 200A service on a cabin, underground. Meter on side of house, came down out of meter with 2" Sch. 80 PVC a few inches, into a PVC LB, in through the rim joist, PVC 90 elbow down and straight into the panel. Panel had main breaker. All conduit will be recessed behind drywall, none exposed except the LB outside. Inspector flunked it, said if the pipe didn't have the 90 elbow bend it would be okay. Anyone ever run into that? All PVC was properly installed with couplings, cement, etc., approved. I suppose if you can no longer install conductors in a conduit that has a bend in it, we're all in trouble. Just wondered if anyone else ran into this or knew what he might possibly be talking about. Thx.
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Hi Don,

The LB into the structure may be okay, but using a PVC 90 Elbow instead of a full sweep may be too tight for the minimum bending radius of the conductor. The exterior Sch 80 into the building (even the lateral) wouldn't be a violation unless local code would require RMC or equal. Sure would like to know what the EI stated. rbj
 
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