3 wire service entrance unprotected in an attic

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jasonr

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when a 3wire service entrance cable is damaged in the attic unprotected by a main breaker. Can it legally be replaced without overcurrent protection or does it need to be a new 4 wire conductor with overcurrent protection?
 
Re: 3 wire service entrance unprotected in an attic

You are either not using the correct terminology, or your installation needs to be more detailed.

I am supposing a single-phase 120/240V system, hence the 3-wire. A 4th wire (grounding) is not required for a service entrance. Also service conductors require overcurrent protection at the point they terminate, usually at the main disconnect. Short-circuit and ground-fault protection is not required.
 
Re: 3 wire service entrance unprotected in an attic

We had a thru the roof mast pull out and it damaged the SEU cable.we installed a new service with a new meter/disconnect to provide protection for the wires running thru the attic and now the inspector says he would have allowed us to replace the wire, which is opposite of what all the other inspection departments in the area would require.

Edited to remove all caps so we can easily read your post. Jason, please turn off your caps. Thanks, Charlie

[ November 23, 2004, 08:56 AM: Message edited by: charlie ]
 
Re: 3 wire service entrance unprotected in an attic

I think you did the right thing by replacing the service. The service entrance conductors should not run through the attic without overcurrent protection, 230.70 states that the disconnecting means can be installed in the building nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors. While there is no specified distance in the NEC I know our local utility states no more than 5 foot of travel before the disconnecting means. But in any event unprotected conductors in a building could cause problems if shorted!
 
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