Cement cuts through feeder conduits

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electronman

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Location
G.R. MI
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Electrician
Working in a strip mall and concrete cutter made numerous cuts in the floor for the plumber to rough in 3 bathrooms. When all the concrete was removed it revealed 3 feeder conduits that had been cut through in multiple spots. Most were cross-cut and 2 were parallel cuts about 12" to 18" long. Two of the conduits were not energized but one was, and remained energized (the furthest one from the cuts, of course). I decided to cut open the top of the conduits to get a better look at the conductors and they were not damaged. I'll have to do this at each cut. I've used PVC repair kits before with good success but they're pricey and the conduits are packed close together with no way of spreading them apart. Any ideas? I know the only right way is to pull conductors out of all 3 to inspect them, replace all the PVC and re-install the wires. I thought I would see if anyone has been through this and what other options might be.
 
electronman said:
Here is a picture of 1 of the spots that was cut.
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Probably not going to sit well with an inspector, but take piece of next size larger raceway rip it in half and use cable ties to secure it to the damaged area. All you really need there is to plug the hole, those conductors are still going to be fine otherwise. Once it is covered up again it isn't going anywhere.
 
kwired said:
Probably not going to sit well with an inspector, but take piece of next size larger raceway rip it in half and use cable ties to secure it to the damaged area. All you really need there is to plug the hole, those conductors are still going to be fine otherwise. Once it is covered up again it isn't going anywhere.
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It looks like there might not be enough room between the pipes to slide and oversized pipe around each one of those
 
James L said:
It looks like there might not be enough room between the pipes to slide and oversized pipe around each one of those
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If you can't pry them apart enough could cut large enough piece to cover the hole and use whatever adhesive you think is sufficient to hold it there. Like I said once you fill around it and pour concrete again it isn't going anywhere unless someone uncovers it again someday.
 
Whatever patch you use, I’d make sure it seals the concrete out.

If even a little concrete seeps into those conduits, those conductors will never come out.
 
kwired said:
Probably not going to sit well with an inspector, but take piece of next size larger raceway rip it in half and use cable ties to secure it to the damaged area. All you really need there is to plug the hole, those conductors are still going to be fine otherwise. Once it is covered up again it isn't going anywhere.
Click to expand...
I agree, after thinking about it. As long as the conductors are undamaged, this is just a physical repair. I would start by removing as much debris as possible from the conduits, first by hand and then with a vacuum.

I would cut patches from a stick of the next-size-up conduit, just as you said, with a 1" overlap being plenty, and use PVC primer and heavy-duty PVC solvent cement (not the useless gray conduit stuff) to attach them.
 
As an electrician, I fixed a few underground pipes. Never once called for an inspection.
As an inspector, I have never inspected an underground repair.
I personally would trust the EC to do it right.

Ron
 
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