SER cable on the exterior of a commercial building

[TomY]

Can SER cable be installed on the exterior of a commercial building? The building is of brick construction (It's a school if that matters).

My plan was to install greenfield from the electrical room to an LB on the exterior of the building, install 3" pvc up the building to a service head, install aerial cable to a separate wing of the building (maintaining 18' over the driveway), install a second service head to SER cable and run SER cable along the top edge of the brick building aprox. 20' off the ground 150' long, hitting a J-box switching to PVC to run down the building and to seal-tite to a transformer. 480V primary 208v secondary. AHJ is saying I can't use SER. I've read art. 338 and I don't see it.

Thanks for your help.

 

[iwire]

AHJ is saying I can't use SER.

If the AHJ feels it is subject to physical damage you are out of luck.

 

[GerryB]

If the AHJ feels it is subject to physical damage you are out of luck.

Maybe a worker could put a ladder on it and cause damage?

 

[TomY]

If the AHJ feels it is subject to physical damage you are out of luck.

So to be clear. It is an approved use unless there's a physical damage issue?

Thanks,
Tom

 

[iwire]

So to be clear. It is an approved use unless there's a physical damage issue?

Thanks,
Tom

In my opinion yes.

 

[infinity]

If the SER is 20' off of the ground how will it get damaged?

 

[iwire]

If the SER is 20' off of the ground how will it get damaged?

Meteor shower?


FWIW, I was not saying I think it was subject to damage just that if the inspector thinks it is then it is.

 

[TomY]

Meteor shower?


FWIW, I was not saying I think it was subject to damage just that if the inspector thinks it is then it is.

I spoke with the chief inspector today (Baltimore Co., Maryland) He ok'd the use of the SER. Thank you very much for your quick reply and your help in making me feel more comfortable making that call and arguing the point. As a side not the chief inspector was super professional about the issue and I would recommend to anyone if you have a question make the call.