Basement Service Enterance

Status
Not open for further replies.
K

kmccune

Member
Is there a requirement for the service entrance wires to be in conduit above the ceiling? Our inspector says that there is but could not produce the specific code. The Meter is outside on the first floor level with conduit going through the wall. Once the wires get inside the wall they are protected by a plastic sheath (not conduit) until they reach the conduit extending up from the panel. The panel conduit extends above the basement ceiling. The only thing that I could find was the code for extending above the ceiling. The inspector wants conduit all the way, so I would have to call the electric company and pull the wires and install a 90-degree elbow. I'd rather not have to do this.

Thanks


Kevin
 
tom baker

tom baker

First Chief Moderator & NEC Expert
Staff member
Location
Bremerton, Washington
Occupation
Master Electrician
Re: Basement Service Enterance

Is there a local code that restricts you on the type of service entrance conduit? Many locations limit the length and type of conduit.
 
D

david

Senior Member
Location
Pennsylvania
Re: Basement Service Enterance

What type of building is this? If this is a non-dwelling he may be referring to

230.50 Protection of Open Conductors and Cables Against Damage ? Above Ground.
Service-entrance conductors installed above ground shall be protected against physical damage as specified in 230.50(A) or (B).

Combing this with the change in
334.12 Uses Not Permitted.
(A) Types NM, NMC, and NMS. Types NM, NMC, and NMS cables shall not be used as follows:
(1) As open runs in dropped or suspended ceilings in other than one- and two-family and multifamily dwellings.

He may fill that SE cable installed above a suspended ceiling is exposed to damage.

David
 
A

a.wayne3@verizon.net

Guest
Re: Basement Service Enterance

What is this plastic sheath you are refering to?
 
K

kmccune

Member
Re: Basement Service Enterance

It is SE cable and I don?t believe that there is a code restricting the type of conduit that I can use. But then I didn?t think that this would be an issue ether. Oh and this is a new construction single-family unit with a basement and 1-1/2 stories. The sheath is a large piece of heat shrink.
Sorry about my slow reply, the phone company is having problems by our house so the Internet will not stay connected, that means I have to fit this in at work.

Kevin
 
B

bill addiss

Senior Member
Re: Basement Service Enterance

Kevin,

Did you strip off the SE cable covering and use Heat-Shrink where it would be exposed?
 
K

kmccune

Member
Re: Basement Service Enterance

Nope, the heat shrink is over the 3 cable bundle with the factory pvc sheath intact.

Kevin
 
H

hurk27

Senior Member
Location
Portage, Indiana NEC: 2008
Re: Basement Service Enterance

I would ask this inspector what is SEC for if not being able to run in to a panel this close to the outside wall it is clearly not in an area that would be exposed to damage or the panel it self would be subject to damage. and if you couldn't run SEC then how could we run N/M in the same place?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top