SE cable on trailer poles

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jonesjax

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Don't laudg but if you can put se cable exposed running feet off of the grounfd on a house why could you not do it on a ploe going up 20'.

Just an idea could not find a reason not to.
 
Re: SE cable on trailer poles

If the SE cable was terminated properly on both ends and supported at the correct intervals I don't see a code article prohibiting it. I've seen it done around here a lot.
 
Re: SE cable on trailer poles

What about 230.50? Seems like conduit or "other approved means" would be required for at least some of the pole if not all. But this would only apply to your pole that is not under the scope of the power company.

If these are not service conductors, you still have to protect the cable from physical damage which means guards, conduit, or being X feet up in the air (and the AHJ picks the value for X).
 
Re: SE cable on trailer poles

Subject to physical damage !!!
 
Re: SE cable on trailer poles

What type of physical damage? If the SE cable runs from a weatherhead at the top of the pole down to a disconnect or meterbase and terminates with a weatherproof fitting in the top of the enclosure 60" above grade what type of physical damage is it subject to that the same installation on a house is not? 300.5(D)(1) tells us 8' above finish grade for UG but 230.50 doesn't give us a measurement for SE cable above ground.
 
Re: SE cable on trailer poles

amptech
This is what I'm getting
If these are service entrance cables the code does require protection.
Read 230.50 closely

230.50 Protection of Open Conductors and Cables Against Damage ? Above Ground.
Service-entrance conductors installed above ground shall be protected against physical damage as specified in 230.50(A) or (B).
(A) Service Cables. Service cables, where subject to physical damage, shall be protected by any of the following:
(1) Rigid metal conduit
(2) Intermediate metal conduit
(3) Schedule 80 rigid nonmetallic conduit
(4) Electrical metallic tubing
(5) Other approved means

(B) Other Than Service Cable. Individual open conductors and cables other than service cables shall not be installed within 3.0 m (10 ft) of grade level or where exposed to physical damage.

Exception: Type MI and Type MC cable shall be permitted within 3.0 m (10 ft) of grade level where not exposed to physical damage or where protected in accordance with 300.5(D).
The first paragraph tells us that service entrance cables "shall be protected against physical damage as specified in 230.50(A) or (B)"

This means that "A" or "B" has to be used as for the way to protect them and "B" requires that they not be installed lower than 10' and if we use "A" then they have to be installed in a conduit?
So is "B" saying that if below 10' it is automatically subject to damage?
And then a method in "A" has to be used to protect them?
It does get a little confusing as to why all the cross over wording in this article.

But around here (Portage,In.) this is the way most inspectors look at it. :confused:
 
Re: SE cable on trailer poles

(B) Other Than Service Cable. Individual open conductors and cables other than service
I believe this is referring to triplex, not SE cable.
Also, subject to physical damage is subject to interpretation. In my area it is quite typical to have a customer pole with a service on it. Many with SEU running up from the meter pan, with no sleeve. I guess in an open, non-traffic area, above 6' is not considered subject.
I'll agree, what about the side of a house, along a driveway. How is this less subject to damage than a pole in the woods?
 
Re: SE cable on trailer poles

the inspectors here in Jax Fl have always done things in the 1970's way. I guess i will try it and see. i wired an above ground pool a few month's ago and the inspector left me a diagram of how HE wanted it. at the bottom it stated according to the 1998 code...personally if you can run se cable out of the bottom of a meter can feet from the ground totally exposed to physical damage that is if someone takes an axe to it, then why can't i run it up the pole to the weather head, i have never seen a lineman climb a trailer pole but then i do live in Florida. seems all of the nuts fall down and end up here that's why we cant vote either. will post how it goes. maybe Mike himself could give his opinion???
 
Re: SE cable on trailer poles

hurk, I agree with speedy. Subject to damage is subject to interpretation. Otherwise SE cable is pretty much useless for SE, isn't it? There are situations where SE is totally inappropriate. Ther are others where it is a safe, cost effective alternative. Common sense comes in to play any place the "subject to physical damage" issue comes up.
 
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