Service point splice

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giovanni0502

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Hello all, I am an electrical inspector who worked as an electrician for 14 years before getting into code enforcement. I ran across a situation with a home having a 100a overhead service:
The homeowner had his roof redone and a soffit added. It was brought to my attention via a photo from a fellow code enforcement officer that the triplex now runs into the soffit and splices on to the SE cable above the soffit with no access from the attic and the SE cable then comes down out of the soffit to the meter. When I looked into code sections to cite the homeowner with, I couldn’t find much. I see SE cable has to be spliced in a box per 2008 NEC 230.46. I know that open air splices are allowed at the service point but don’t see where, nor do I see where this splice has to be exposed (unless the “utility rule” cones into play but customers own the service drop so I doubt it). Now I have a leg to stand on due to the fact that the SE cable is subject to physical damage from the soffit but I would like the forum’s input on a more solid argument.


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May be me, but I can't picture it. Happen to have that picture ?
 
I will get it tomorrow at work. if it helps picture a standard overhead service. Now completely cover that weatherhead, drip loop, and service point with a soffit running the width of the house.


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I think this would apply:
300.15 Boxes, Conduit Bodies, or Fittings —Where Required.
A box shall be installed at each outlet and switch point for concealed knob-and-tube wiring.
Fittings and connectors shall be used only with the specific wiring methods for which they are designed and listed.
Where the wiring method is conduit, tubing, Type AC cable, Type MC cable, Type MI cable, nonmetallic-sheathed cable, or other cables, a box or conduit body shall be installed
at each conductor splice point, outlet point, switch point, junction point, termination point, or pull point, unless otherwise permitted in 300.15(A) through (L).


I see noting in (A) thru (L) that would exempt this.

In addition I think most power companies would disallow such a connection.
 
I see noting in (A) thru (L) that would exempt this.

In addition I think most power companies would disallow such a connection.

I agree, after seeing the pictures there is no way that would walk here.
By inspector or Poco
 
I agree this is mickey mouse, but please explain your reference to A through L because open air splices are allowed at the service point all day. the accessibility end of it I could agree with it now not being accessible.


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giovanni0502 said:
Hello all, I am an electrical inspector who worked as an electrician for 14 years before getting into code enforcement. I ran across a situation with a home having a 100a overhead service:
The homeowner had his roof redone and a soffit added. It was brought to my attention via a photo from a fellow code enforcement officer that the triplex now runs into the soffit and splices on to the SE cable above the soffit with no access from the attic and the SE cable then comes down out of the soffit to the meter. When I looked into code sections to cite the homeowner with, I couldn’t find much. I see SE cable has to be spliced in a box per 2008 NEC 230.46. I know that open air splices are allowed at the service point but don’t see where, nor do I see where this splice has to be exposed (unless the “utility rule” cones into play but customers own the service drop so I doubt it). Now I have a leg to stand on due to the fact that the SE cable is subject to physical damage from the soffit but I would like the forum’s input on a more solid argument.


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Click to expand...

I assume your profile to be Erie Pennsylvania, Under the Uniform construction code fpr PA. you would have no authority to address the alteration that was done if a permit was not required.

If you are enforcing an adopted property maintenance code such as IPMC you may have authority under a local ordinance to address the violation.

You best recourse may be to get the photograph to the electric utility in your area.

However we had a situation locally here where a home owner moved the location of a service wrapped the service drop around a chimney service drop laying on the dwelling roof and the utility refused to address it.


Edit: and by the way, why are you taking pictures of my house for, Just Kidding, I hope you can take action to resolve this violation
 
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giovanni0502 said:
I agree this is mickey mouse, but please explain your reference to A through L because open air splices are allowed at the service point all day. the accessibility end of it I could agree with it now not being accessible.


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Click to expand...


Disregarding the fact this is likely more of an issue of the POCO as it is likely on their side of the "service point",

You now have service conductors inside the building, how far can they enter is not clear in NEC. You also have terminations that probably are no longer "accessible", put an access door for them and you have more to argue about at least.
 
giovanni0502 said:
I know that open air splices are allowed at the service point but don’t see where, nor do I see where this splice has to be exposed (unless the “utility rule” cones into play but customers own the service drop so I doubt it).
Click to expand...

As I understand the definition of Service Drop (Art. 100), in my experience, I've never known a utility to have the customer "own" it. I find this to be an interesting variation that I'd like to read more about. . . but, I'm not trying to hijack your question.

Perhaps Article 396 Messenger-Supported Wiring, specifically 396.30, last sentence. "The conductors shall not be permitted to come into contact with the messenger supports or any structural members, walls or pipes."

396.12 "Uses Not Permitted. Messenger-supported wiring shall not be used . . . where subject to physical damage."
 
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