Bonding Question

Status
Not open for further replies.
J

Jimmy7

Senior Member
Location
Boston, MA
Occupation
Electrician
I was planning to sleeve a 3/0 Ser copper cable in 2 1/2 pvc where it comes out of the load side of a meter socket and then use a 2 1/2 LB to go into the basement of a single family home. I was then going to install a 2 1/2 to 2” reducing bushing in a 2 1/2 female adapter so I can install 2” Ser connector so I can continue with Ser to the panel. If I do this do I have to bond that connector or bushing? Or should I just use a 2 1/2 bell end?
 
Once you are in the basement you don't need pvc or any other conduit. Why go thru the trouble... Well perhaps you have a finished basement???? If everything is plastic it isn't a problem but a plastic bushing on the connector wouldn't hurt. Some say it isn't needed.
 
I'm seeing red flags.. :)
"load side of a meter socket" meter socket only or meter/disconnect... asking since you seem to be running a distance to the panel.
+
fill problems with 3/0 SER in a 2-1/2 LB and 2" PVC
 
augie47 said:
"load side of a meter socket" meter socket only or meter/disconnect... asking since you seem to be running a distance to the panel
Click to expand...
Since he mentioned SER it sounds like there is an OCPD involved.
 
I was just going to use the 2 1/2 pvc to go from meter socket that has the two 200 amp breakers into the basement, and then run ser to the panels which are just on the other side of the wall
 
Jimmy7 said:
I was just going to use the 2 1/2 pvc to go from meter socket that has the two 200 amp breakers into the basement, and then run ser to the panels which are just on the other side of the wall
Click to expand...
In that case, I suggest complete enclosure-to-enclosure conduit runs and individual conductors.

That way, you only need 2" conduit; if it's 24" or less, you only need 1.5" conduit.

By the way, you should have mentioned the outside main breakers inn the OP.
 
As Larry says, you should have stated you were installing feeders, not unfused service conductors.
 
Ok, sorry about that.
I didn’t see these responses until this morning. My guys did install the 3/0 out of the bottom of the meter socket and used an LB to go into the basement. Does this need to be ripped out?
 
I would say no. The SER is a legit wiring method on its own and can be outdoors. You are just using the conduit to provide physical protection, a.k.a. as a sleeve.

As far as needing to bond a metal romex connector, that's a good reason not to use one in this case. Just use a bell end or a male threaded connector with a plastic bushing, and support the SER right where it comes out.

...
Like others here, when you say 'meter socket' I see this.

If you mean something more like this...

...then I would say 'meter/main' or 'meter combo', or 'meter combo pack' for mutliple meters.
 
I do try to do the right thing. As a result, could someone show me how you figure out the wire fill for a 3/0 SER cable for a 2 1/2“ schedule 40 pvc.
We did land up using a PVC male adapter and plastic bushing in the basement.

If this totally wrong, I have no problem ripping it out.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_1449.jpeg
    IMG_1449.jpeg
    1.3 MB · Views: 28
Jimmy7 said:
If this totally wrong, I have no problem ripping it out.
Click to expand...
Don't be silly. That looks okay. It may simply be bigger than what was necessary.

We'd need to see the inside to critique it further, from the penetrations to the panels.

Also, our POCO provides meter bases free, so I would have used two 200a discos.

By the way, many places allow un-sleeved SE and SER where not subject to damage.
 
I thought it would be easier to run an ser cable to the panel in order to have a little flexibility.

Do I need to worry about conduit fill on the 2 1/2 pvc conduits?
 

Attachments

  • IMG_2036.jpeg
    IMG_2036.jpeg
    1.7 MB · Views: 29
You did nothing wrong but one thing I would suggest for next time is instead of using 3 LBs just put a big outdoor box or trough below the panel. It's easier to pull the cable through, and it looks cleaner. I see this all the time where overtime as the owner keeps adding things you just get more and more conduit spaghetti under the panel going down to the crawl. It's ugly and more work. Also as a battery backup guy I so wish for it all to be going through one box to make it easier to rewire to a backup panel through one chase.
 
I‘m always trying to learn as much as I can, and as a result I have some more questions about this installation. With the 2 1/2” LB’s is there a problem with the bend radius of the 3/0 ser cable when you install it in the LB Conduit body. Isn’t something like 5 times the diameter of the cable? If that’s right, it is it even possible to get that bend in the LB’s I have pictured above?
 
Jimmy7 said:
If that’s right, it is it even possible to get that bend in the LB’s I have pictured above?
Click to expand...
Thus the suggestions of conduit and individual wires, even if you just stripped the SER.

From what you posted, you succeeded in getting it in there, so it's obviously possible.
 
I know I got it installed, is the bend less than five times the diameter. I’m guessing this could be a concern, correct?
 
No simple way short of doing the math but you will need the Circ Mil of the cable assembly (that is different than individual conductors).
Also not sure how the cable through an LB will meet the requirements of 338.24
338.24 Bending Radius.
Bends in Types USE and SE cable shall be so made that the cable will not be damaged. The radius of the curve of the inner edge of any bend, during or after installation, shall not be less than five times the diameter of the cable. For flat cables, the major diameter dimension of the cable shall be used to determine the bending radius.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top