Is this a wet location?

I

Isaiah

Senior Member
Location
Baton Rouge
Occupation
Electrical Inspector
If PVC conduit is installed under a concrete building slab with visqueen is this considered to be a wet location ?


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W

wwhitney

Senior Member
Location
Berkeley, CA
Occupation
Retired
Dennis Alwon said:
Why would that matter? I don't see anything in 300.5(B) that would suggest otherwise.
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Well, "underground" is not a defined term. And looking at the definition of wet location, if the conduit was above the visqueen and actually in the slab, you could argue that it's not a wet location: "Location, Wet: Installations underground or in concrete slabs or masonry in direct contact with the earth; . . ."

I haven't parsed out all the possibilities, but it sounds like it's moot for the OP.

Cheers, Wayne
 
I

Isaiah

Senior Member
Location
Baton Rouge
Occupation
Electrical Inspector
wwhitney said:
Well, "underground" is not a defined term. And looking at the definition of wet location, if the conduit was above the visqueen and actually in the slab, you could argue that it's not a wet location: "Location, Wet: Installations underground or in concrete slabs or masonry in direct contact with the earth; . . ."

I haven't parsed out all the possibilities, but it sounds like it's moot for the OP.

Cheers, Wayne
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Nice observation


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Dennis Alwon

Dennis Alwon

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
wwhitney said:
Well, "underground" is not a defined term. And looking at the definition of wet location, if the conduit was above the visqueen and actually in the slab, you could argue that it's not a wet location: "Location, Wet: Installations underground or in concrete slabs or masonry in direct contact with the earth; . . ."

I haven't parsed out all the possibilities, but it sounds like it's moot for the OP.

Cheers, Wayne
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So you are not giving the thought that condensation will be an issue. Can I argue that a vertical run of conduit on the exterior of a building will not get wet inside. Think of PVC glued. It can rain all day but the conduit will not be wet inside from the rain yet the wiring must be wet location rated.
 
W

wwhitney

Senior Member
Location
Berkeley, CA
Occupation
Retired
Dennis Alwon said:
So you are not giving the thought
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I'm not really giving the issue any thought at all, I'm just reading the definition.

If the idea were that any conduit in any slab on grade were in a wet location, the definition obviously would have said "Location, Wet: Installations underground or in concrete slabs or masonry supported by earth. . . ." But it doesn't say that. The implication is that some slabs on grade are not wet locations. The distinction is whether the slab is in "direct contact with earth."

Cheers, Wayne
 
I

Isaiah

Senior Member
Location
Baton Rouge
Occupation
Electrical Inspector
wwhitney said:
I'm not really giving the issue any thought at all, I'm just reading the definition.

If the idea were that any conduit in any slab on grade were in a wet location, the definition obviously would have said "Location, Wet: Installations underground or in concrete slabs or masonry supported by earth. . . ." But it doesn't say that. The implication is that some slabs on grade are not wet locations. The distinction is whether the slab is in "direct contact with earth."

Cheers, Wayne
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Wayne
Assuming the u/g conduit/cable is constantly immersed in water (due to condensate, seepage or whatever) what would be the impact to the jacket if the cable is NOT rated for wet locations? Would the jacket slowly disintegrate, crack, crumble? Any thoughts?


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Dennis Alwon

Dennis Alwon

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Staff member
Location
Chapel Hill, NC
Occupation
Retired Electrical Contractor
Isaiah said:
Wayne
Assuming the u/g conduit/cable is constantly immersed in water (due to condensate, seepage or whatever) what would be the impact to the jacket if the cable is NOT rated for wet locations? Would the jacket slowly disintegrate, crack, crumble? Any thoughts?


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I hate to say this but I have see nm cable underground for 25 years or more and it was still working..... No conduit at all.
 
I

Isaiah

Senior Member
Location
Baton Rouge
Occupation
Electrical Inspector
Dennis Alwon said:
I just want to say I am not condoning it or saying to do it. I like staying within code.
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Dennis is there any reason that Communications cable, under article 800 would be EXEMPT from “wet locations” requirements? Using the 2020 Code.


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