Factory Assembled Aerial Cable for NEC Application

[Wrd4spd]

NEC 396.2 lists factory assembled aerial cable as an acceptable messenger supported wiring system for NEC installations, but every triplex/ quadruplex cable with messenger that I have been able to locate is non-listed utility grade. Does anyone know of a quadruplex cable with integral messenger that is comprised of one of the cable types listed in Table 310.104(A)? Is my only option for an NEC compliant aerial feeder to lash or saddle a listed non-messenger cable to a separate steel messenger?

A little background - We have an existing Nema 3R switchboard located on the property and would like to sub-feed a new compressor building some 700 feet away. We really do not want to go underground with it. Surely, someone has run into this before - I can't be the first... Any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[kwired]

"compressor building" seems to suggest a central plant for air or maybe refrigeration. If that is the case wouldn't you have air or refrigeration lines routed from there to other "buildings"? Why not run raceway or cable in close proximity to those lines?

 

[petersonra]

NEC 396.2 lists factory assembled aerial cable as an acceptable messenger supported wiring system for NEC installations, but every triplex/ quadruplex cable with messenger that I have been able to locate is non-listed utility grade. Does anyone know of a quadruplex cable with integral messenger that is comprised of one of the cable types listed in Table 310.104(A)? Is my only option for an NEC compliant aerial feeder to lash or saddle a listed non-messenger cable to a separate steel messenger?

A little background - We have an existing Nema 3R switchboard located on the property and would like to sub-feed a new compressor building some 700 feet away. We really do not want to go underground with it. Surely, someone has run into this before - I can't be the first... Any suggestions will be appreciated.

Where in 396 does it require such assemblies to be listed?

 

[texie]

NEC 396.2 lists factory assembled aerial cable as an acceptable messenger supported wiring system for NEC installations, but every triplex/ quadruplex cable with messenger that I have been able to locate is non-listed utility grade. Does anyone know of a quadruplex cable with integral messenger that is comprised of one of the cable types listed in Table 310.104(A)? Is my only option for an NEC compliant aerial feeder to lash or saddle a listed non-messenger cable to a separate steel messenger?

A little background - We have an existing Nema 3R switchboard located on the property and would like to sub-feed a new compressor building some 700 feet away. We really do not want to go underground with it. Surely, someone has run into this before - I can't be the first... Any suggestions will be appreciated.

It does not have to be listed or have conductors of the type listed in 2017 310.104. 396.2 allows you to use a cable that meets the requirements of ICEA standards. In my view this was also allowed in the 2014 and prior but was made a little more clear in the 2017 edition. Southwire and others make triplex and quadruplex to this standard.
A bigger problem may be that it you need a neutral and the feeder is 3 phase you will then need 4 insulated plus the messenger. AFAIK no one makes such a cable. Quintaplex?

 

[Wrd4spd]

The building itself is an 8x12 block structure which sits in the middle of gas field. It's basically an electrical room which serves some large exterior compressors for pumping natural gas - no refrigeration. Also, I think any underground piping is already in place.

 

[Wrd4spd]

Where in 396 does it require such assemblies to be listed?

396.10(A) indicates the cable types of which may be used with a messenger. It limits you to cable types listed in Table 396.10(A). For the purposes of this conversation, that means they have to comply with Article 338 or 340. These Articles state that the cables must be listed. Table 396.10(A) also leaves a door open for "other factory assembled, multi-conductor power cables identified for the use", but provides no supporting NEC article reference. Since there is no NEC criteria these cable types and they do not comply with Article 310, it falls upon the AHJ to permit their use. Our AHJ will not.

 

[Wrd4spd]

It does not have to be listed or have conductors of the type listed in 2017 310.104. 396.2 allows you to use a cable that meets the requirements of ICEA standards. In my view this was also allowed in the 2014 and prior but was made a little more clear in the 2017 edition. Southwire and others make triplex and quadruplex to this standard.
A bigger problem may be that it you need a neutral and the feeder is 3 phase you will then need 4 insulated plus the messenger. AFAIK no one makes such a cable. Quintaplex?

Permitted cable types are defined in 396.10. I do not see where a non-listed cable that meets ICEA standards is allowed. 396.10(A) requires messenger supported cables to comply with Table 396.10(A). For this application, that limits me to Articles 338 & 340, or cable types SE, USE, or UF. 396.10(B) allows messenger supported cables for industrial installations to be of any type listed in Table 310.104. These are all listed cable types. I know that Table 396.10(A) also lists "other factory assembled, multi-conductor power cables identified for the use", but the handbook tells you that these service-drop cables are mostly utility cables which do not comply with Article 310. It seems to imply that there are some cables which do meet Art. 310. Has anyone ever seen a quadruplex cable with USE-2, XHHW, RHW rating?

I do not require the neutral for the 480V service. 480V-3PH-3W into the building and I will derive a neutral for the 120V at the xfmr. Therefore, a quadruplex cable (3 insulated plus bare messenger) should be adequate, but I cannot find one that meets the above criteria.

 

[texie]

Permitted cable types are defined in 396.10. I do not see where a non-listed cable that meets ICEA standards is allowed. 396.10(A) requires messenger supported cables to comply with Table 396.10(A). For this application, that limits me to Articles 338 & 340, or cable types SE, USE, or UF. 396.10(B) allows messenger supported cables for industrial installations to be of any type listed in Table 310.104. These are all listed cable types. I know that Table 396.10(A) also lists "other factory assembled, multi-conductor power cables identified for the use", but the handbook tells you that these service-drop cables are mostly utility cables which do not comply with Article 310. It seems to imply that there are some cables which do meet Art. 310. Has anyone ever seen a quadruplex cable with USE-2, XHHW, RHW rating?

I do not require the neutral for the 480V service. 480V-3PH-3W into the building and I will derive a neutral for the 120V at the xfmr. Therefore, a quadruplex cable (3 insulated plus bare messenger) should be adequate, but I cannot find one that meets the above criteria.

Note that Table 396.10A does not list an applicable Article for factory-assembled cable such as quadruplex-because there isn't such an Article that applies -hence the blank space in the Article column of the chart. But it is an approved cable per the definitions. Also note that the 2017 edition has added a definition as I mentioned previously, 396.2(2) along with an Informational Note. This to me makes it clear that this would be an acceptable product. I would not even blink to accept this as compliant and it would be my view that any AHJ that would not approve this is misinformed. After all, there is a 50-60 or more year history of thousands of miles of this stuff used as service drops in the wind and trees. Why would an outdoor feeder be any different?

 

[FFJoe]

This reply may be a bit late for Wrd4spd but here is a link to a manufacturer for those who run into this.

Preassembled Aerial | XHHW-2 or RW90

www.servicewire.com

 

[jim dungar]

This is a 3 year old thread.