I'm doing a service that requires a 16' mast. I figured that I would be able to get the shorter length of pipe threaded (2.5" gal) to screw into a meter hub. The local plumbing warehouse (Blackman Plumbing) would thread my pipe but, I'd have to buy a length from them. After the "full trade discount" they wanted $182.00 for the pipe (10') and then $20 to thread it. Ouch. My inspector seems iffy about using a compression connector. He suggested using a "myer's hub," but that's threaded top and bottom. Any help would be appreciated.
Service question
- Thread starter petey_c
- Start date
- Status
ultramegabob
Senior Member
- Location
- Indiana
Huevos said:
thats what we do in my area as long as the coupling isnt above the roofline.
edit- Im assuming that you are supporting the service drop with the risor and its going through the soffit. If this is just running up the side of a block wall and not free standing or supporting the service drop, I would run schedule 80 PVC and anchor the service drop to the structure.
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peter d
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
petey_c said:
Since you were looking into buying from a plumbing supplier I'm assuming you would get plumbing galvanized pipe. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I don't believe you can use plumbing pipe for electrical conduit. I think the plumbing pipe has a rough weld seam on the inside that electrical grade conduit does not.
stickboy1375
Senior Member
- Location
- Litchfield, CT
I always just use a compression connector... coupling below the soffit / roof line.
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LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Here's an unorthodox idea: go to your local rental place and price the minimum rental for a threading machine. Then ask how much they'd charge you to just use it on the spot for 10 minutes.
They may give you a lower price if you don't leave the premises (if they'll let you do it there at all.) You might as well thread both sides of the cut just in case you ever need a 4' piece.
They may give you a lower price if you don't leave the premises (if they'll let you do it there at all.) You might as well thread both sides of the cut just in case you ever need a 4' piece.
stickboy1375
Senior Member
- Location
- Litchfield, CT
Big box stores will also thread pipe for you.
ultramegabob
Senior Member
- Location
- Indiana
stickboy1375 said:
not in my town, and the largest pipe they carry is 2"
stickboy1375
Senior Member
- Location
- Litchfield, CT
ultramegabob said:
2" is the largest I would ever need...
:grin:
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Huevos said:
I believe the op wants the short piece between the meter hub and the roof penetration so that there is more support on the pipe.
Why could you not use a threadless connector at the hub. Aren't they raintight?
boboelectric
Senior Member
- Location
- Eighty Four,Pa.15330
Our power companys require the upper most conduit on a mast to be a full 10 foot lenght.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
boboelectric said:
That is what I was getting at. Didn't realize it was a requirement .
Dennis Alwon said:
I guess I'm not getting a good picture here. If the service mast is used as a means of support for the drop why can there not be a coupling above the roof line. If it's that tall above the roof it'll need to be guyed anyway and as long as the guying clamp is above the coupling I don't see an issue. Am I missing something?
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Huevos said:
The coupling is the weak link. Structurally it would be a stronger install without the coupling and as much pipe, without a coupling, as possible below the roof.
Dennis Alwon said:
Yes, that's true, although I don't know of any of these that have failed when properly installed/guyed. During my days as an electrician working for someone else I always looked at the most bulletproof way to build things. Now I look at the money too. I'm really looking to see if there is a code issue that I'm missing.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Here is the NEC-- One can argue what is adequate strength but I believe the utilities have more to say about it then the NEC. Many of them will not hook it up with a coupling above the roof.
Suppose the mast wasn't high enough to require a guy. If the coupling is above the roof with less than 3' of pipe after the coupling you can bet that the coupling will break first. I have seen many down trees just bend the 2" pipe but have never seen it break it in half. The utilities want that extra protection for their wires.
Suppose the mast wasn't high enough to require a guy. If the coupling is above the roof with less than 3' of pipe after the coupling you can bet that the coupling will break first. I have seen many down trees just bend the 2" pipe but have never seen it break it in half. The utilities want that extra protection for their wires.
The mast will extend 3' beyond the peak of the roof. POCO lines are on the opposite side of the street (80' drop). POCO/Insp. require the shorter pipe to be at the bottom (this way the pipe that extends through the roof has 7' to secure to the house vs. 3' of the shorter). If I could've, putting the cut end at the weatherhead would've been the way to go. I need to use 2.5" gal (10' lengths threaded at both ends. 200 A service). The price of which just went up from $87 to $126.00!) Spoke to big box store, 2" is the largest they will thread. I could use another support (guy wire or 6X4 wood mast), but it's a brand new house (my neighbor) and I didn't want too much penetrating the roof. I already have the compression conn. on. I've got to call the insp. today before he hits the road. thanks for the replies so far....
- Location
- Massachusetts
Am I missing something?
Place an RMC compression connector into the meters hub, place the cut end of the 6' section into the compression connector, thread the 10' stick on the top of the 6' piece.
Place an RMC compression connector into the meters hub, place the cut end of the 6' section into the compression connector, thread the 10' stick on the top of the 6' piece.
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