Service Conductors Through Attic

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mr.ohms000

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Hi everybody I'm new to the M.H Forum
I went to give a client an estimate today to upgrade service from 125A to 200A

They currently have the weather head poking out the front of the house (height requirements have been met) and my question is, is there any objection code wise for me to run the new service conductors just as these have been run through the attic and to the rear of the dweling?
And if so, I know the conduit the weather head is mounted onto should be Ridgid or IMC but could the remaining length of it be PVC OR even EMT?

Thanks in advance for taking the time to read and help me out
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First, go to your profile and enter your location. "US" is a big place and answers to your questions can be dependent on where you are and what code you are under.

To answer your question, no! Unfortunately you are going to have to put a disconnect and the meter outside below the point of attachment. That could be on that center column between the windows. Alternately, on the right side and dress SE under the gable down to the meter and the conduit through into the attic as low as possible on the right.

Also, that point of attachment has to be up to POCO requirements, usually a 5/8" eye bolt into the structure.

-Hal
 
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Thanks for the advice Hal,
If I did put a meter and disconnect like you're suggesting do you think I'll still have my clearance laterally?
Also could you please list the code article so I can bookmark and study them, I'm under 2014 NEC.

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Oregon requires the service disconnect as the NEC requires it. Service conductors must terminate in a service disconnect as near as possible to where the service conductors enter a structure. Crossing an attic to the far side of the home is pretty far removed from "near as possible."

I know Washington state gives a person more leeway, and allows 15' maximum.

I'd be inclined to use a metermain on the exterior myself and SER through the attic to the original panel location. Maybe you could tuck the metermain around a corner so it's not right on the front???
 
Kind of an unusual looking installation. It seems odd that the POCO would put the point of attachment in the front of the house and the EC installing the MBP in the rear of the house (but I've seen worse). I see utility poles in the rear of the house. Is it possible to have the POCO re-attach from the rear of the house ? As others have already mentioned you are not permitted to run unprotected service conductors through an attic. You will need a breaker or fused disconnect. After that you can run SER cable through the attic.

dennis alwon said:
See if the power company can come in from another street to the backside.
Click to expand...

OOPS! Looks like Dennis is a much faster typist than I am
 
goldstar said:
Kind of an unusual looking installation. It seems odd that the POCO would put the point of attachment in the front of the house and the EC installing the MBP in the rear of the house (but I've seen worse). I see utility poles in the rear of the house. Is it possible to have the POCO re-attach from the rear of the house ? As others have already mentioned you are not permitted to run unprotected service conductors through an attic. You will need a breaker or fused disconnect. After that you can run SER cable through the attic.



OOPS! Looks like Dennis is a much faster typist than I am
Click to expand...


Not uncommon around here years ago. Last year we had to move one that went thru the attic down an exterior wall to a recessed meter base. We were fortunate enough to just move the meter around to the side of the house where the service came in.
 
hbiss said:
First, go to your profile and enter your location. "US" is a big place and answers to your questions can be dependent on where you are and what code you are under.


-Hal
Click to expand...
I agree Hal, but if you look at the landscape and building it's pretty much a safe bet that he's in FL.

Roger
 
Encasing the service raceway in minimum of 2 inches of concrete would be considered to be outside the building in many places.

May also be big enough PITA to do that so you just put a disconnect somewhere outside or inside close to point of entry.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
See if the power company can come in from another street to the backside.
Click to expand...

That would be my first choice. It does look like there are power poles in the back of the picture. It a good idea to talk with the power company on a job like this anyway. In a town near me you would be putting that new service underground and that's a good thing to know before doing any work.
 
These are unfused service entrance conductors, and there may be some local rules to comply with, and rules from the POCO. In Washington we can have 15 ft of raceway inside the building, and the type of raceway is restricted.
As suggested, an outside meter and disconnect is a simple solution. Perhaps it can be located around on the side of the house.
 
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