How to secure service mast on new construction?

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JeremyArnold

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Ok guys, I'm new and need some advice, when wiring a new construction how do I secure the service mast conduit to the side of the house? House is completely wired and passed rough in inspection and now I'm ready to install the meter and service mast. I have the service wire ran thru the wall to connect to the outside disconnect but I need to know how does everyone secure the conduit once the drywall is installed? Is it common to cut the drywall and install a 2x4 to bilt thru on new construction? Or is there a better way?
 
JeremyArnold said:
Ok guys, I'm new and need some advice, when wiring a new construction how do I secure the service mast conduit to the side of the house? House is completely wired and passed rough in inspection and now I'm ready to install the meter and service mast. I have the service wire ran thru the wall to connect to the outside disconnect but I need to know how does everyone secure the conduit once the drywall is installed? Is it common to cut the drywall and install a 2x4 to bilt thru on new construction? Or is there a better way?
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What type of siding do you have? Is this a service mast? meaning it goes above the roof or is it a service riser? it stops below the overhang.

Normally we just screw the straps to the wall.
 
Vinyl siding is used. It is a service riser, can I just use a lag screw thru the plywood to secure the conduit?
 
Dennis Alwon said:
What type of siding do you have? Is this a service mast? meaning it goes above the roof or is it a service riser? it stops below the overhang.

Normally we just screw the straps to the wall.
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Thank you for your reply. It will pass thru the roof, but my question is how to secure the conduit to the side of the house as it is running vertical up to the roof. Sounds like you just use straps and screw them to the wall. I was thinking the bolt had to pass thru a 2x4 on the back side. Is it as simple as securing it using straps and screws?
 
JeremyArnold said:
Thank you for your reply. It will pass thru the roof, but my question is how to secure the conduit to the side of the house as it is running vertical up to the roof. Sounds like you just use straps and screw them to the wall. I was thinking the bolt had to pass thru a 2x4 on the back side. Is it as simple as securing it using straps and screws?
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Check utility specs and yes that's stronger. If you want an overbuilt clean look do U bolts through 2x6 blocking inside. They make long u bolts just for this. You'll want a trim piece behind the mast for it to look clean.
 
If it’s on the peak end of the house, you can lag screw through the side of the wall top plate. The way houses are built now, it’s probably just fiber thermal board or styrofoam behind the siding. If you’re lucky, the corners are plywood, but may be osb, or just metal corner strapping.
 
letgomywago said:
Check utility specs and yes that's stronger. If you want an overbuilt clean look do U bolts through 2x6 blocking inside. They make long u bolts just for this. You'll want a trim piece behind the mast for it to look clean.
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Why are you telling him to go thru the wall. Standoff straps with #10 screws work just fine in brick or wood siding. The meter base and , as mentioned earlier, overhang will keep it from moving forward or even side to side.
 
I haven't seen any new construction around here with through the roof service. POCO usually wants it underground. With that said, if it's going through the roof, 1-hole straps will work.
 
This is how it is done in Los Angeles County.
 

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electrofelon said:
Even if it wasn't a local and utility requirement, I would not rely on straps screwed into the plywood. Think about the physics, the penetration through the roof is just a pivot point.
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If it's going through a roof overhang ... it's not going anywhere.
I do agree on using "Unistrut" for surface installations, with 3/8 lag screws into the wall studs.
 
electrofelon said:
Even if it wasn't a local and utility requirement, I would not rely on straps screwed into the plywood. Think about the physics, the penetration through the roof is just a pivot point.
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I've dealt with these for years. I've never seen one pulled loose unless the roof was rotten. I've changed out a bunch of bent masts, but none pulled loose. The roof would prevent it from pulling the straps out. That's unless you drilled a hole 4" too large for the mast.
 
The guy said vinyl siding is on the house. Just screwing straps or strut onto the wall is gonna smash the siding and make it look like crap.

@letgomywago said check utility specs, and that's accurate.

One POCO around here wants 2x4 blocks between the studs. Others may not care

I like to use either:
1) an offset nipple to get the mast tight to the siding, then use 2-hole straps.

or

2) minerallac straps so that I don't need the offset nipple.

In either case, if it's vinyl siding, I like to drill 7/8" holes for the screws, and use 1/2" PVC conduit sleeves, long enough to space from the sheath out to the face of the siding. And toggle bolts through the sheath (presuming no wood blocking)
 
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