Offset service riser.

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acrwc10

acrwc10

Master Code Professional
Location
CA
Occupation
Building inspector
I see this too often on panel upgrades. To make things worse, this one has two offset nipples that are not even connected.
 

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In addition to the bad offset there is no way to install the required tunnel kit with the location the raceway enters the panel. It needs to enter against the left wall.

I'm also amazed how often inspectors don't catch the tunnel kit not being installed.
 
curt swartz said:
In addition to the bad offset there is no way to install the required tunnel kit with the location the raceway enters the panel. It needs to enter against the left wall.

I'm also amazed how often inspectors don't catch the tunnel kit not being installed.
Click to expand...
Must be an underground only meter combo? On the combo’s, the meter is usually at the top, with the tunnel to the left if used as underground. Haven’t seen one with the meter at the bottom.
 
curt swartz said:
In addition to the bad offset there is no way to install the required tunnel kit with the location the raceway enters the panel. It needs to enter against the left wall.

I'm also amazed how often inspectors don't catch the tunnel kit not being installed.
Click to expand...
What rule in the NEC would require a tunnel kit?
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
What rule in the NEC would require a tunnel kit?
Click to expand...
Not NEC but EUSERC (California and other Western utilities)requires all un-metered conductors to be in sealed barriers. I believe the instructions with the the panel require the tunnel for overhead use.

The panel in the picture is designed for both overhead and underground applications. It has a large pull section on the bottom for the utilities to pull and terminate their conductors. When used for overhead the conductors get installed in the left corner and looped into the bottom lugs. The tunnel kit then gets installed to cover the service conductors.

Depending the on the model of the panel the tunnel is SCTKP20 or SCTKP30
 
Is it allowed to use offset nipples with rigid couplings?
344.42(B) says "Running threads shall not be used on conduit for connection at couplings."
 
synchro said:
Is it allowed to use offset nipples with rigid couplings?
344.42(B) says "Running threads shall not be used on conduit for connection at couplings."
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Offset nipples are not running threads. Running threads are threads cut on a conduit usually 2-3x longer than a standard thread so yo can run the locknut on a long way. Picture installing a rigid conduit between 2 fixed boxes with no way to get the pipe in
 
Eddie702 said:
Offset nipples are not running threads. Running threads are threads cut on a conduit usually 2-3x longer than a standard thread so yo can run the locknut on a long way. Picture installing a rigid conduit between 2 fixed boxes with no way to get the pipe in
Click to expand...
I agree with you that they are two different things, and so 344.42(B) would not apply to offset couplings. Both have a threaded area that is not tapered so that a locknut can be freely run across it. But on offset nipples the proper term would be straight threads.
 
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