200amp SE cable inside mast?

[Dennis Alwon]

You cannot use aluminum to a ground rod unless it is 18" above grade

 

[macgyver2010]

Hmm, after reading 250.66 some more I'm somewhat confused now. 250.66(A) says #6 copper is fine for Gnd rods but the chart says for 4/0 alu which is the largest conductor in the SE cable would require #4 copper. Am I reading this correctly?

 

[jumper]

Hmm, after reading 250.66 some more I'm somewhat confused now. 250.66(A) says #6 copper is fine for Gnd rods but the chart says for 4/0 alu which is the largest conductor in the SE cable would require #4 copper. Am I reading this correctly?

You are reading it right. #6 to rods,plates and such, #4 to water, building steel, CEE.

 

[infinity]

Pipe fill does not apply.

(2) Table 1 applies only to complete conduit or tubing systems
and is not intended to apply to sections of conduit
or tubing used to protect exposed wiring from physical
damage.

A mast complete between the meter and the weatherhead would be complete system so conduit fill limitations would apply. For a sleeve I agree with you.

 

[jumper]

A mast complete between the meter and the weatherhead would be complete system so conduit fill limitations would apply. For a sleeve I agree with you.

I can easily see it being either way, since in this case the mast is not required, it is for protection only.

I dunno, I never shoved a SE cable into mast. I'll let OP worry about.

 

[macgyver2010]

You are reading it right. #6 to rods,plates and such, #4 to water, building steel, CEE.

I read 250.66(A) which yes says #6 for rods.

But then when you look at table 250.66 on the same page, it states for 4/0 alu wire(largest conductor in the 200amp SE cable), a #4 copper conductor is required.

I think I'm reading it correctly, am I?

Or does the table not apply when using rods? I only looked at the table because some here mentioned it.

 

[infinity]

I read 250.66(A) which yes says #6 for rods.

But then when you look at table 250.66 on the same page, it states for 4/0 alu wire(largest conductor in the 200amp SE cable), a #4 copper conductor is required.

I think I'm reading it correctly, am I?

Or does the table not apply when using rods? I only looked at the table because some here mentioned it.

The GEC to a ground rod is not required to be larger than #6 Cu regardless of what 250.66 requires for a GEC. Same thing applies to a CEE where a #4 is the largest size required.

 

[jumper]

250.66(A) Connections to Rod, Pipe, or Plate Electrodes.
Where the grounding electrode conductor is connected to
rod, pipe, or plate electrodes as permitted in 250.52(A)(5)
or (A)(7), that portion of the conductor that is the sole connection
to the grounding electrode shall not be required to be
larger than 6 AWG copper wire or 4 AWG aluminum wire.

 

[macgyver2010]

Got it, thanks.

Now I just have to see if that SE in the mast will pass. Maybe I'll just call the inspector on Monday and ask. If he says no then I'll ask why....LOL.

 

[infinity]

Did you do a calculation to see if 2" is large enough for the SE cable to meet the maximum fill limitation?

 

[macgyver2010]

Did you do a calculation to see if 2" is large enough for the SE cable to meet the maximum fill limitation?

I actually used a 2 1/2" mast.

 

[George Stolz]

What did the calc come to with a 2.5" mast?

 

[jumper]

What did the calc come to with a 2.5" mast?

Unless I messed up, my math says this cable would fit in a 2".

I used 4/0 AL SE from Southwire. OD of 1354 mils.

I got 1.44 square inches.

 

[George Stolz]

Unless I messed up, my math says this cable would fit in a 2".

I used 4/0 AL SE from Southwire. OD of 1354 mils.

I got 1.44 square inches.

I see your source, agree with the mils, but it being 1AM I can't think straight enough to check past that. :ashamed1:

 

[pete m.]

What the OP is proposing is a very typical install here in this part of Ohio. The POCO here mandates the use of a 2 1/2" mast at a minimum unless a site survey is performed by a POCO representative to allow a smaller mast size.

Pete

 

[sparky4677]

SE

SE

I've been trying to find the answer to this but no luck so far. I'm getting 2 different answers from 2 non inspectors. Can you run 200amp SE cable inside the service mast and what code applies to this? Thanks.

SE cable needs to follow the NM rules, cannot be installed in damp locations, a service mast is a damp location..NO

 

[norcal]

SE cable needs to follow the NM rules, cannot be installed in damp locations, a service mast is a damp location..NO

Not true, if that was the case EVERY SE cable service install would be non compliant w/ code rules.

 

[Little Bill]

SE cable needs to follow the NM rules, cannot be installed in damp locations, a service mast is a damp location..NO

You need to re-read your code book on this.
SE=service entrance cable
Not many services come from inside.

 

[macgyver2010]

Inspection was yesterday. I had swapped out the SE cable just in case but I asked if it would have been acceptable. Answer was yes, as long as the manufacturer stated it could be used in conduit. Which he then said most are anyways.

 

[augie47]

SE cable needs to follow the NM rules, cannot be installed in damp locations, a service mast is a damp location..NO

SE must follow the NM rules for Interior Installs {Art 334.10(B)(4)}
It may be used exterior per 338.12, but cannot be installed underground with or without a raceway.