Handhole Conductor Type

[Pierre C Belarge]

I saw this in passing:

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Wiring methods in open bottom handholes​

All single conductors, splices, or taps installed in open bottom handholes must be of a type identified and approved
for direct burial. The requirements for insulated conductors for general wiring are in NEC 310-13-​

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Conductor
Constructions and Applications and its referenced tables. NEC 300-3(a)-Single Conductors states that single
conductors "shall only be permitted to be installed where part of a recognized wiring method of Chapter 3".
NEC 300-15(a)-Box or Conduit Body requires a box or conduit body "be installed at each conductor splice
connection point, outlet, switch point, junction point, or pull point for the connection of conduit". Open bottom
handholes are not listed electrical equipment, conduit bodies, or boxes and not part of a recognized wiring method
of NEC Chapter 3. Any single conductors, taps, or splices installed in such handholes would have to be suitable
for conditions outside of an approved raceway system. The only single conductor wiring method of NEC Chapter 3​

that complies is direct burial.


Referencing 314.30 and 300.15(L), do you agree with this information?

 

[ibew441dc]

What are they after? Hmmmmm???

What are they after? Hmmmmm???

do you agree with this information?

Pierre,
I'm assuming you copied and pasted that info, or paraphrased it. If I'm keeping up with what they are trying to throw down. Are they trying to imply that splices in a handhole enclosure have to be listed for direct burial? If so I would disagree.....they only have to be listed for wet locations.

314.30(C)Enclosed Wiring. All enclosed conductors and any splices or terminations, if present, shall be listed as suitable for wet locations.

 

[quogueelectric]

I saw this in passing:

l​

​

​

​

Wiring methods in open bottom handholes​

All single conductors, splices, or taps installed in open bottom handholes must be of a type identified and approved
for direct burial. The requirements for insulated conductors for general wiring are in NEC 310-13-​

​

Conductor
Constructions and Applications and its referenced tables. NEC 300-3(a)-Single Conductors states that single
conductors "shall only be permitted to be installed where part of a recognized wiring method of Chapter 3".
NEC 300-15(a)-Box or Conduit Body requires a box or conduit body "be installed at each conductor splice
connection point, outlet, switch point, junction point, or pull point for the connection of conduit". Open bottom
handholes are not listed electrical equipment, conduit bodies, or boxes and not part of a recognized wiring method
of NEC Chapter 3. Any single conductors, taps, or splices installed in such handholes would have to be suitable
for conditions outside of an approved raceway system. The only single conductor wiring method of NEC Chapter 3​

that complies is direct burial.


Referencing 314.30 and 300.15(L), do you agree with this information?

Is this 2008?? From what I can see in 2005 it specifically states no box and wet location.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

I found it while surfing for something else. I do not know which code cycle is in reference.
I do not see where the NEC specifically states what is being stated. I will look in the UL White Book and study this further. I thought it was interesting and was just wondering what some others may have come across in their experience with handholes.

 

[chris kennedy]

I thought it was interesting and was just wondering what some others may have come across in their experience with handholes.

I came across this. Potentially very wet location.

This is my typical install. Never been tagged for it.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

First given the use of the dashes in the code citations, I would assume the quote was based on a code from 1999 or earlier. Based on what the quote is trying to say, I would expect that it was written by a company that makes enclosures, but does not make open bottom handholes. It is clear that under the current code that a handhole can have an open bottom.

Handhole Enclosure. An enclosure for use in underground systems, provided with an open or closed bottom, and sized to allow personnel to reach into, but not enter, for the purpose of installing, operating, or maintaining equipment or wiring or both.

I don't see a requirement that the handhole be a listed product. I see nothing that would require the use of conductors and termination methods suitable for direct burial in a handhole. 314.30(C) clearly only requires the use of conductors and terminations listed for use in wet locations.

 

[Cavie]

First given the use of the dashes in the code citations, I would assume the quote was based on a code from 1999 or earlier. Based on what the quote is trying to say, I would expect that it was written by a company that makes enclosures, but does not make open bottom hand holes. It is clear that under the current code that a hand hole can have an open bottom.
I don't see a requirement that the hand hole be a listed product. I see nothing that would require the use of conductors and termination methods suitable for direct burial in a hand hole. 314.30(C) clearly only requires the use of conductors and terminations listed for use in wet locations.

Being in the road building side of things, I can see the need the requirement of Direct burial. The requirement for RHW insulation is coming up more and more on our projects as required by the engineer or the Maintaining agency. Open bottom pull boxes can, will, and do, fill up with dirt from water flowing thru them. Therefore the conductors Do become buried. I would like to know where this particular comment came form.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Being in the road building side of things, I can see the need the requirement of Direct burial. The requirement for RHW insulation is coming up more and more on our projects as required by the engineer or the Maintaining agency. Open bottom pull boxes can, will, and do, fill up with dirt from water flowing thru them. Therefore the conductors Do become buried. I would like to know where this particular comment came form.

Maybe I misunderstand your post, but you imply that RHW is suitable for direct burial use. That is not correct.

 

[Cavie]

Maybe I misunderstand your post, but you imply that RHW is suitable for direct burial use. That is not correct.

Sorry my mistake. XLP/USE cross polylinked