SER Cable

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code_compliant

code_compliant

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The warm region of Minnesota
I have a residence with a meter/main on one end feeding a sub-panel via SER on the other.

I had a service inspection fail this week over a quarter size tear in the outer sheath of 4/0 SER Cable feeding a sub panel. There is no conductor damage, it apparently caught when turning down the wall to the panel.

I felt this was petty but asked what he suggested for a fix. He told me +33 wasn't gonna cut it so just try and reroute it to gain an extra 4 feet and reterminate so the damaged sheath would be inside the panel.

Gaining 4 feet by "re-routing" isn't possible.

My question: would simply sleeving the last 4 feet in 2" PVC make this compliant?
 
code_compliant said:
My question: would simply sleeving the last 4 feet in 2" PVC make this compliant?
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To me tape would do it but I believe the 2" PVC should be satisfactory. I doubt you will find an NEC rule on this
 
SEO said:
Can he explain why 33 wouldn't work? What is tape for?
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Good question. I was never cited a code reference. I thought maybe I was missing something obvious.

The kicker here is the utility won't connect permanent power without the consent of the inspector and this means another inspection trip before the utility has the "good-to-go."
 
I did the same thing once the inspector made me tape it then put shrink tubing over it thought it was overkill but it did pass.
 
iwire said:
I do thank you for trying. :cool:

It's close but not the one, the one I am thinking of talked about how the sheath of NM is not important for electrical safety.
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I know exactly the one you are talking about....finding it ~ well, that's another issue :roll:
 
As an inspector, the onus to prove some items of defect fall upon us.
The best and easiest way for an inspector to do this is to provide a code section whether it be the NEC or a local standard.

With that said, taping damaged sheathing may fall "between the cracks". In dealing with the "between the cracks" issues, I usually defer to the manufacturer/NRTL.

I once asked the very same question to South Wire and they stated "as long as the conductor insulation is not damaged, the sheathing can be repaired. This could be by means of tape (in dry locations) or a listed means acceptable to the AHJ for wet locations."

I would accept tape for this situation every time.
 
We know tape is a suitable repair job - some inspectors may not ~ it could be as simple as 110.3(B) for the red tag.
Therefore onus now falls back to us.
The problem is:
We know a document exists stating tape is proper, we just can't produce it "at this time".
 
Pierre C Belarge said:
As an inspector, the onus to prove some items of defect fall upon us.
The best and easiest way for an inspector to do this is to provide a code section whether it be the NEC or a local standard.

With that said, taping damaged sheathing may fall "between the cracks". In dealing with the "between the cracks" issues, I usually defer to the manufacturer/NRTL.

I once asked the very same question to South Wire and they stated "as long as the conductor insulation is not damaged, the sheathing can be repaired. This could be by means of tape (in dry locations) or a listed means acceptable to the AHJ for wet locations."

I would accept tape for this situation every time.
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Every time in dry locations is what I should have written.
 
celtic said:
We know tape is a suitable repair job - some inspectors may not ~ it could be as simple as 110.3(B) for the red tag.
Therefore onus now falls back to us.
The problem is:
We know a document exists stating tape is proper, we just can't produce it "at this time".
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This gets us part way there.

Insulates splices up to 600V. Repairs
cable jacketing. Resists UV rays, abrasion,
corrosion, alkalies and acids. Flame
retardant. UL Listed and CSA Certified.
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Product description for Scotch 33+


It is a wet or dry location tape, often used to tape the bare connectors used on service drop connections. :smile:
 
iwire said:
This gets us part way there.


It is a wet or dry location tape, often used to tape the bare connectors used on service drop connections. :smile:
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Yes...but the drop is exposed ~ the NM/SE flavor may be buried....my 110.3(B) was aimed at the "problem" [nicked sheath; concealed] rather than the solution [33+]

As an EI, one would have to show me that tape is approved by the wire manufac. as a suitable repair for damage to sheath where concealed.
 
I though the sheath around the cable was to keep the conductors bundled, not for insulation, except of course if the nick was outside the building.
 
celtic said:
As an EI, one would have to show me that tape is approved by the wire manufac. as a suitable repair for damage to sheath where concealed.
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I guess I would have to say write up the red tag as the owner of the company I work for now has told me not to be bullied. :smile:
 
frankft2000 said:
I though the sheath around the cable was to keep the conductors bundled, not for insulation, except of course if the nick was outside the building.
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Exactly, sucks that we can't use good old common sense any more.

The inspectror in question is a jerk IMO!
 
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