Sch 40 vs Sch 80 PVC

[augie47]

Does anyone know of anything more definitive than "judgement" in determining the need for Sch 80 for service conductors above ground.

From reading 230.50, and the UL "white Book" Pg 103 (DZYR) the "subject to physical damage" classification seesm to be entirely an AHJ judgement call.

 

[SEO]

Does anyone know of anything more definitive than "judgement" in determining the need for Sch 80 for service conductors above ground.

From reading 230.50, and the UL "white Book" Pg 103 (DZYR) the "subject to physical damage" classification seesm to be entirely an AHJ judgement call.

I agree that it is a judgement call .

 

[cowboyjwc]

May be an AHJ or POCO call. Here the poco requires rigid no matter what the NEC says.

 

[Teaspoon]

I agree that it is a judgement call .

In my area if it is above the ground. The AHJ requires Sch. 80.
Underground Sch. 40.
Inside like in a basement Sch. 40

 

[hillbilly]

I'll bet that he's using 230.50(A).

The "subject to damage" is a judgement call...His:roll:.

steve

 

[don_resqcapt19]

My judgement is that if you can see it, it is subject to physical damage.

 

[wbalsam1]

Does anyone know of anything more definitive than "judgement" in determining the need for Sch 80 for service conductors above ground.

From reading 230.50, and the UL "white Book" Pg 103 (DZYR) the "subject to physical damage" classification seesm to be entirely an AHJ judgement call.

In New York State, in our Residential Code there was concern about protecting service cable where subject to physical damage and so we incorporated the phrase "ridgid nonmetallic conduit suitable for the location" into our E3505.5. This allowed more "local" authority to "judge" what the actual likelihood was for "subject to damage".
The last part of the phrase, i.e., "suitable for the location" was intended to reflect the fact that 230.50 required schedule 80, if my memory serves me correctly.

Also there was a change from the 1999 edition at 230.50 which at (3) stated "Ridgid nonmetallic conduit suitable for the location" to the 2002 NEC which required, at 230.50(3) Schedule 80 ridgid nonmetallic conduit.

 

[C3PO]

Around here in the areas where the POCO's allow PVC they want Sch 80 from the meterbase down. Sch 40 is allowed for everything else, but personally I always run sch 80 for everything below about 6'-8'

 

[LLSolutions]

POCO makes the call where I am, 80 above 40 below. not a huge price difference unless you're over the 2" range and running alot.

 

[peter d]

My judgement is that if you can see it, it is subject to physical damage.

That is an awfully broad brush you are using there.

 

[iwire]

That is an awfully broad brush you are using there.

But really he is right.

You know I don't work that way and you know the local inspectors don't enforce it that way but I think Don is on the money.

 

[peter d]

But really he is right.

You know I don't work that way and you know the local inspectors don't enforce it that way but I think Don is on the money.

I basically agree with that premise, but there are things that are more subject to damage than others, and there are three factors to consider when trying to determine if something is truly "subject to damage." Those three things are location, location, and location.

 

[C3PO]

I basically agree with that premise, but there are things that are more subject to damage than others, and there are three factors to consider when trying to determine if something is truly "subject to damage." Those three things are location, location, and location.

I thought you were going to say cost, cost and cost

 

[peter d]

I thought you were going to say cost, cost and cost

Haha..you are very sharp. Cost certainly plays a part. So does local tradition (whether the local tradition meets the NEC or not is another discussion altogether, but it too plays a role here.)

In the case of service conductors, POCO rules dictate the method. But that was already mentioned.

 

[infinity]

For residential we use SE cable or Sch 40 if the service in a flower bed. If it's in a driveway Sch 80, over a sidewalk then it's Sch 40 or 80.

 

[iwire]

I basically agree with that premise, but there are things that are more subject to damage than others, and there are three factors to consider when trying to determine if something is truly "subject to damage." Those three things are location, location, and location.

To me everything is 'subject to damage'

We should be more concerned with 'will it be damaged?:smile:

 

[peter d]

We should be more concerned with 'will it be damaged?:smile:

Right, that's exactly what I was trying to say.

 

[c2500]

Schedule 40 here. The POCO will install the riser and weatherhead in residential applications. They use schedule 40 also. (I always run my own because you never know what you will get with those guys)

c2500

 

[r_merc]

Well lets see

Well lets see

If I have to install service lateral to the service point and the riser to the meter base then it is subject to the AHJ Inspection and around here that means Schedule 80. If the POCO Installs it then it will be Schedule 40 as they are not subject to be inspected by the AHJ. We deal with 4 POCO around here with two of them the service point is at the Transformer or Tap Box.

Rick

 

[don_resqcapt19]

I basically agree with that premise, but there are things that are more subject to damage than others, and there are three factors to consider when trying to determine if something is truly "subject to damage." Those three things are location, location, and location.

The things that are "more subject to damage" is what the code calls "severe physical damage".