Meter has rigid conduit to disconnect

[cduke103]

Hey Mike or forum, can you answer a quick question please? Theres Rigid pipe from meter to a disconnect. Rigid pipe can not be changed at this time. I know pvc is preferred method because of parallel paths. Would threading a PVC male end to Rigid pipe entering Disconnect be an acceptable solution?

 

[Sierrasparky]

Hey Mike or forum, can you answer a quick question please? Theres Rigid pipe from meter to a disconnect. Rigid pipe can not be changed at this time. I know pvc is preferred method because of parallel paths. Would threading a PVC male end to Rigid pipe entering Disconnect be an acceptable solution?

PVC is not necessarily a preferred method.
In my area PVC is not usually used in this instance.

must be a local not a NEC thing.

 

[augie47]

Here PVC is the "preferred" method if there are no hubs involved as metallic conduit would require a bonding bushing.
The Code pretty much ignores the "parallel path" created by the metal nipple in this situation.

 

[electrofelon]

To be precise, IIRC, in this instance the nec doesn't use the term "parallel path" it uses the term "objectionable current". Basically no one worries about this.

 

[infinity]

As the others have stated this is not an issue and is an example of when objectionable current on the raceway is permitted by the NEC.

 

[GoldDigger]

As the others have stated this is not an issue and is an example of when objectionable current on the raceway is permitted by the NEC.

I would say instead that since the NEC does not object to it, the current is per se not objectionable.

 

[infinity]

I would say instead that since the NEC does not object to it, the current is per se not objectionable.

LOL.

 

[ActionDave]

I call it the unavoidable objectionable.

 

[kwired]

Since everything (conductive) on supply side of service disconnect is required to be bonded to the grounded conductor - there isn't much avoiding parallel grounded conductor current on those items if there is conductive materials between them. NEC must not think this is objectionable or they would have different requirements. They are a little more strict on bonding of service raceways then non service raceways though, which is a good thing I think if you are going to have some parallel current in the raceway.

 

[infinity]

Since everything (conductive) on supply side of service disconnect is required to be bonded to the grounded conductor - there isn't much avoiding parallel grounded conductor current on those items if there is conductive materials between them. NEC must not think this is objectionable or they would have different requirements. They are a little more strict on bonding of service raceways then non service raceways though, which is a good thing I think if you are going to have some parallel current in the raceway.

There are many parallel paths in the line side of the service disconnect. In a building with multiple services there are parallel paths on the GEC's, metal raceways, etc.

 

[al hildenbrand]

Hey Mike or forum, can you answer a quick question please? Theres Rigid pipe from meter to a disconnect. Rigid pipe can not be changed at this time. I know pvc is preferred method because of parallel paths. Would threading a PVC male end to Rigid pipe entering Disconnect be an acceptable solution?

There are many parallel paths in the line side of the service disconnect. In a building with multiple services there are parallel paths on the GEC's, metal raceways, etc.

Yes, and, since current takes ALL available paths, if there is any unbalance current at the Main Bonding Jumper(s), ALL of those "many parallel paths will be current carrying. On the LINE side of the Main Bonding Jumper, this is simply normal.

 

[jaggedben]

In a major AHJ I work in, rigid is the only wiring method allowed on the line side of the service disco.

 

[ActionDave]

In a major AHJ I work in, rigid is the only wiring method allowed on the line side of the service disco.

It's the craziest thing, you go on the east coast and it's all unfused SE cable hanging off every house waiting for a chance to kill somebody.

Here we don't have to use rigid only, emt or pvc is okay, but at least it's some protection.

 

[DrSparks]

It's the craziest thing, you go on the east coast and it's all unfused SE cable hanging off every house waiting for a chance to kill somebody.

Here we don't have to use rigid only, emt or pvc is okay, but at least it's some protection.

Yeah I've seen SE cable stapled to the side of buildings in textbooks. I personally think it's asinine. Here in Wisconsin unfused service conductors go in pipe.

Sent from my A574BL using Tapatalk

 

[electrofelon]

I may seem mongrel and unsafe to y'all who arent use to it, but can you point to any history of problems or decrease in safety? I live in the land of SE and I have never seen nor heard of any issues. What I think is ridiculous is when states like Washington dont allow it despite a solid track record for nearly a century in many parts of the country.

 

[DrSparks]

I may seem mongrel and unsafe to y'all who arent use to it, but can you point to any history of problems or decrease in safety? I live in the land of SE and I have never seen nor heard of any issues. What I think is ridiculous is when states like Washington dont allow it despite a solid track record for nearly a century in many parts of the country.

Just the thought of a thin layer of flexible plastic between unfused service conductors and a stray nail makes me feel uneasy. The cost of 2 inch schedule 80 PVC is insignificant. Why would you not install it in conduit? Also the SE cable stapled to the side of a building is a terrible eyesore Imo

Sent from my A574BL using Tapatalk

 

[ActionDave]

I may seem mongrel and unsafe to y'all who arent use to it, but can you point to any history of problems or decrease in safety? I live in the land of SE and I have never seen nor heard of any issues. What I think is ridiculous is when states like Washington dont allow it despite a solid track record for nearly a century in many parts of the country.

SE cable is like old people on the beach in speedos and bikinis, sure it's allowed, but there's a lot of good reasons to avoid it.

 

[electrofelon]

Just the thought of a thin layer of flexible plastic between unfused service conductors and a stray nail makes me feel uneasy. The cost of 2 inch schedule 80 PVC is insignificant. Why would you not install it in conduit? Also the SE cable stapled to the side of a building is a terrible eyesore Imo

Sent from my A574BL using Tapatalk

beauty is in the eye of the beholder - and what you are used to. Personally, I hate PVC for above ground. I would rather see SE cable.

SE cable is like old people on the beach in speedos and bikinis, sure it's allowed, but there's a lot of good reasons to avoid it.

What reasons?

 

[ActionDave]

What reasons?

Do you really want to see a picture of me in a speedo?

 

[electrofelon]

Do you really want to see a picture of me in a speedo?

:lol: