Can I use schedule 40 PVC for my service mast? Or does it need to be schedule 80? All i see is 230.28 which talks about service masts used as support. My mast will not be used for support. Is my TA screwed into the top of the meter hub allowed as well? I am questioning the glued portion where the pipe goes into the T.A. Thanks
PVC service masts
- Thread starter arnettda
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
The PVC into the TA is not an issue but technically the TA into the hub is not permitted. SCH40 can be used if not subject to damage. I would call this a service riser not a mast.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
Some inspectors around here do not allow metal straps for this reason. We had one POCO that said if you go underground they require metal straps on the pole but the EI wouldn't allow them on the building.
texie
Senior Member
- Location
- Fort Collins, Colorado
- Occupation
- Electrician, Contractor, Inspector
The OP will also need a non metallic weather head to avoid bonding requirements.
- Location
- Tennessee NEC:2017
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrician
This would be a POCO rule. Here, if we use PVC, it can't penetrate the roof or soffit. The point of attachment has to be solidly attached to the framing. Most want eyebolts with nuts & washers on both sides. Some will allow strong lag bolts if there is enough "meat" to screw into.
Sch 40 or 80 depends on POCO requirements. We have some that require 80 and others don't care.
Sch 40 or 80 depends on POCO requirements. We have some that require 80 and others don't care.
What is the issue qith the TA into the Hub? is it a type of thread thing?
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
That's correct. UL has stated that the hub is only listed for RMC and IMC. IMO it's ridiculous because 95% of all services around here are either PVC or SE cable into the hub. Around here no one enforces that.
electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
So I believe the work around is a RGS nipple into the hub and a PVC female adapter (theoretically, I also just thread the TA into the hub and have never been questioned).
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
That is one way of doing it to get around the bonehead UL thingy. Completely stupid in my book for someone to require you to do that instead of screwing the TA directly into the hub.
wwhitney
Senior Member
- Location
- Berkeley, CA
- Occupation
- Retired
Is the bonehead UL thingy just about grounding and bonding? In that case it wouldn't matter for a PVC TA, vs say an EMT connector.
Or is it also a mechanical integrity thing? I.e. the combination is required to understand some mechanical testing, but nobody has done the testing for that combination?
Cheers, Wayne
My Package for my Milbank Hub says threaded rigid conduit. Could this be Rigid Polyvinyl chloride Conduit PVC?
The cut sheets say NPT thread type 8 threads per inch. PVC T.A. have what type pf thread?
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
I'm 99% sure they mean metal conduit. I've never seen PVC conduit threaded.
(Yes, I know you mean a male adapter, which normally has a straight thread.)
(Yes, I know you mean a male adapter, which normally has a straight thread.)
I would agree that the male adapter is not threaded rigid conduit. And thanks for the info on straight threads.
electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
Actually they are not straight threads on a TA. This came up in a recent thread. Can't remember who it was who said they were tapered, but I was skeptical so I got the dial calipers and they were indeed (although according to my measurements somewhat less than standard pipe taper).
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
It’s the most common violation that is not enforced.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
We use a snuggle plate, a metal plate with holes for 6 lag bolts and a insulated thimble for the drop.
wwhitney
Senior Member
- Location
- Berkeley, CA
- Occupation
- Retired
The one time I looked it up, it varied by diameter, 1" and under are tapered but over 1" was non-tapered. Or vice versa. Assuming I remembered the break point correctly. I checked a couple common manufacturers, not hard to find the info.
Cheers, Wayne
goldstar
Senior Member
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
I once had 2-hole PVC straps on a 2" PVC riser for a 200A service. It was in direct sunlight and after 1 year most of the straps snapped off. Fortunately, the one at the top near the weather-head didn't. I went back and replaced them with 2-hole metal straps. I know it's not Code compliant but the CMP's making these rules are not out here in the field installing these services (maybe they did at one time and forgot what it's like). I don't know if they realize that we're not installing T-stat wire inside these conduits.
For the record, I also use 2" cowboys for a 2" PVC riser. I haven't failed an inspection but that doesn't mean I'm right in doing so.What's a 2" cowboy?I once had 2-hole PVC straps on a 2" PVC riser for a 200A service. It was in direct sunlight and after 1 year most of the straps snapped off. Fortunately, the one at the top near the weather-head didn't. I went back and replaced them with 2-hole metal straps. I know it's not Code compliant but the CMP's making these rules are not out here in the field installing these services (maybe they did at one time and forgot what it's like). I don't know if they realize that we're not installing T-stat wire inside these conduits.
JAP>
- Status