PVC pipe terminating on top of a 3R pull box, rain tight?

[tortuga]

Hello all what your opinions on PVC pipe with a typical male adapter entering the top side of a typical exterior NEMA-3R pull box?
My thought is its not rain tight. There are of course other ways to do this I did not get a picture of the install.
There may or may not be a sealing lock-nut involved on the inside.
Thanks in advance

 

[LarryFine]

My first choice would be an O-ring on the outside, like NM flex connectors come with.

 

[infinity]

There may or may not be a sealing lock-nut involved on the inside.

Is there anything other than a sealing locknut that you can use with a terminal adapter? I'm not sure if those locknuts are listed for that purpose.

 

[LarryFine]

I've never understood how a sealing locknut can seal against a thread.

 

[petersonra]

I've never understood how a sealing locknut can seal against a thread.

The same way the rubber washer in your toilet tank seals against the thread of the bolts that hold the toilet tank in place.

 

[infinity]

The same way the rubber washer in your toilet tank seals against the thread of the bolts that hold the toilet tank in place.

Good one.

 

[farmantenna]

Will this be approved?

 

[kwired]

The same way the rubber washer in your toilet tank seals against the thread of the bolts that hold the toilet tank in place.

There is probably more seal occurring at the head of that bolt than amongst the threads.

 

[tom baker]

Carlon may still make a gasket that goes between shoulder of MA and enclosure.
otherwise use Myers’s hub , short nipple and female adapter

 

[LarryFine]

The same way the rubber washer in your toilet tank seals against the thread of the bolts that hold the toilet tank in place.

I always put them inside the tank, so the water never reaches the bolt threads.

 

[ptonsparky]

Unless you/they have done 'other ways' expect it to leak. Don't put anything in the box that will be damaged by dripping water.

TAs seem to break at the threads or they strip when snugged up. A female adaptor with a chase nipple threaded into it seems to last longer.

 

[tortuga]

Will this be approved?

Nice find farmantenna.
Thanks

Unless you/they have done 'other ways' expect it to leak. Don't put anything in the box that will be damaged by dripping water.

The 'other ways' I was thinking of is aligning the box so I can enter the side with a sweep/elbow, there will be nothing in the box other than a grounding lug its just a pull box.

 

[ptonsparky]

Side entry makes the issue disappear.

 

[farmantenna]

I had to terminate many PVC TAs into a couple wireways and while I was talking to inspector during a rough inspection I mentioned the TA installation and what he would approve. He would definitely not approve only a TA or TA with sealing locknut but said to use Meyers hub. I showed him the Carlon rubber O ring data sheet and he Ummed, Ahh, Hmm. I said it's UL listed for this exact situation and he said OK. He had never seen it.

 

[farmantenna]

I went back to this installation months later and opened a wireway and was dry with no indication of water entry.

 

[nizak]

Halex makes a rigid watertight conduit hub. I use them on generator transfer switches both on the side and top.

 

[macmikeman]

Electrical inspectors where I live are allowing these things which are gasket washers on the exterior side of the boxes. They showed up after we had a boom in pv installations. Makes it much easier than trying to get a sealing locknut to tighten all the way down.

 

[Flanative]

Might I suggest a myers hub. It’s what they are made for

 

[Canton]

Side entry makes the issue disappear.

Maybe on this install for the OP but not enclosures with side penetrations above exposed live parts/OCPDs. Some type of sealing fitting is needed.

 

[kwired]

Maybe on this install for the OP but not enclosures with side penetrations above exposed live parts/OCPDs. Some type of sealing fitting is needed.

Not a code thing but is good idea to avoid top entries that are directly above mentioned items anyway because regardless of how well the fitting seals against the enclosure any condensation that forms in the raceway still drips onto those items