I rejected a service mast riser today that had a die cast set screw connector screwed into a rigid coupling that was on the end of a stick of rigid. The joint was between the stand off brackets and had an approx 4' piece of rigid on the bottom. Kind of hard to explain but I do not know how to get a picture into this site. He said I was picking on him and has called all the brass. They are going to look at it monday> I don't see how anyone can think this is OK. It is plain in 230 and RMC articles (don't have book in front of me). Any thoughts?
set screw fitting on service mast riser
- Thread starter necbuff
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: set screw fitting on service mast riser
Seems pretty clear I doubt that a die cast set screw connector is identified for use with service masts.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: set screw fitting on service mast riser
Kenny I sent you a PM about that.
Bob
Kenny I sent you a PM about that.
Bob
pierre
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Re: set screw fitting on service mast riser
Kenny
Is this set screw fitting installed on an outdoor location?
If so, set screw fittings are not listed for wet locations.
Pierre
Kenny
Is this set screw fitting installed on an outdoor location?
If so, set screw fittings are not listed for wet locations.
Pierre
charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
Re: set screw fitting on service mast riser
For what its worth, we do not permit any fittings between the roof and the service head and we require 2" rigid metallic conduit if we hit the mast for a service.
For what its worth, we do not permit any fittings between the roof and the service head and we require 2" rigid metallic conduit if we hit the mast for a service.
dduffee260
Senior Member
- Location
- Texas
Re: set screw fitting on service mast riser
For what its worth, we do not permit any fittings between the roof and the service head and we require 2" rigid metallic conduit if we hit the mast for a service.
Charlie, is this a local ordinance? I also have always used 2" GRC as a mast attachment because the POCO's requested it. Then I saw someone use a 1 1/2" GRC as a mast and it passed. There seems to be a gray area as to what adequate support means when it comes to conduit and wire span.
For what its worth, we do not permit any fittings between the roof and the service head and we require 2" rigid metallic conduit if we hit the mast for a service.
Charlie, is this a local ordinance? I also have always used 2" GRC as a mast attachment because the POCO's requested it. Then I saw someone use a 1 1/2" GRC as a mast and it passed. There seems to be a gray area as to what adequate support means when it comes to conduit and wire span.
A
a.wayne3@verizon.net
Guest
Re: set screw fitting on service mast riser
It can only be objectional to the POCO,Thet would etermine what mast will carry there line weight and dynamic load.Computers for dummies
It can only be objectional to the POCO,Thet would etermine what mast will carry there line weight and dynamic load.Computers for dummies
A
a.wayne3@verizon.net
Guest
Re: set screw fitting on service mast riser
Oh forgot should have been 1st is the weather head UL listed ?
Oh forgot should have been 1st is the weather head UL listed ?
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: set screw fitting on service mast riser
Pictures From NECbuff.
Kenny how can the installer even question you on this?
As Pierre pointed out set screw fittings are not rain tight.
I think the problem is this contractor can not thread 2" RMC. They took the job they should be able to do it right.
They have at least a few options.
1)Buy a threader
2)Rent a threader
3)Run to the local home depot and they will thread a 2" for you. You might have to buy the 2" RMC from them to do so.
Bob
[ September 11, 2004, 11:41 AM: Message edited by: iwire ]
Pictures From NECbuff.
Kenny how can the installer even question you on this?
As Pierre pointed out set screw fittings are not rain tight.
I think the problem is this contractor can not thread 2" RMC. They took the job they should be able to do it right.
They have at least a few options.
1)Buy a threader
2)Rent a threader
3)Run to the local home depot and they will thread a 2" for you. You might have to buy the 2" RMC from them to do so.
Bob
[ September 11, 2004, 11:41 AM: Message edited by: iwire ]
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: set screw fitting on service mast riser
IMO even with the small overhang and the connector upside down it is still a wet location.
curt swartz
Senior Member
- Location
- San Jose, CA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Re: set screw fitting on service mast riser
The mechanical strength of this connections bothers me more than the fitting being listed as raintight. Are threaded rigid couplings listed as raintight? I have seen a number of installations that water has entered the raceway through threaded rigid connections that were wrench tight. The only way water is going to enter the EMT fitting is if it is being sprayed up from the bottom. Neither the meter socket nor the loadcenter are designed to prevent water from entering through the bottom. If I was the installer I would have threaded a short section of RMC as Bob suggested.
The mechanical strength of this connections bothers me more than the fitting being listed as raintight. Are threaded rigid couplings listed as raintight? I have seen a number of installations that water has entered the raceway through threaded rigid connections that were wrench tight. The only way water is going to enter the EMT fitting is if it is being sprayed up from the bottom. Neither the meter socket nor the loadcenter are designed to prevent water from entering through the bottom. If I was the installer I would have threaded a short section of RMC as Bob suggested.
electricman2
Senior Member
- Location
- North Carolina
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Re: set screw fitting on service mast riser
In the first pic, it looks like the drop has already been installed and connected. Around here POCO will not install drop without approval from AHJ.
In the first pic, it looks like the drop has already been installed and connected. Around here POCO will not install drop without approval from AHJ.
dduffee260
Senior Member
- Location
- Texas
Re: set screw fitting on service mast riser
The contractor did not have to thread the 2" GRC, all they had to do was measure the mast length, cut off the top of the riser, then the weatherhead clamps on 2" GRC. Yes 10ft of 2" GRC is more expensive than a 10ft stick of 2" EMT, but now you have egg on your face, you have lost wages, which by the way is a contractors most expense, and you have a Red Tag against you !!!.........all for the cost of maybe $30 ???
The contractor did not have to thread the 2" GRC, all they had to do was measure the mast length, cut off the top of the riser, then the weatherhead clamps on 2" GRC. Yes 10ft of 2" GRC is more expensive than a 10ft stick of 2" EMT, but now you have egg on your face, you have lost wages, which by the way is a contractors most expense, and you have a Red Tag against you !!!.........all for the cost of maybe $30 ???
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: set screw fitting on service mast riser
You can not use EMT on a mast.
Yeah you could do that but IMO having the service supported by the coupling is kind of shaky. That is just my opinion and not code.
It is all GRC now, that is a die cast set screw GRC connector.
You can not use EMT on a mast.
A
a.wayne3@verizon.net
Guest
Re: set screw fitting on service mast riser
Looks like GRC to GRC,is the M.A.listed to go into a GRC coupling?Or is it an E.M.T. fitting
.
Looks like GRC to GRC,is the M.A.listed to go into a GRC coupling?Or is it an E.M.T. fitting
.
- Location
- Massachusetts
curt swartz
Senior Member
- Location
- San Jose, CA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Re: set screw fitting on service mast riser
I agree with Bob. Putting the 10? section on the bottom and the short section on top is asking for problem. The chance of the coupling splitting or the conduit breaking at the coupling is very good.
I have never seen die cast fittings for RMC. The only set screw and compression fittings for RMC the suppliers stock in my area are steel. Bob, did you notice that in the link you provided the only rigid fittings available were for 1/2?, 3/4? and 1?? They don?t have any fittings for 1 ? - 2?. Once you get to the 2 ?? sizes EMT and RMC are the same OD.
Kenny, are you sure that the fitting was listed for EMT, RMC & IMC? I don?t see how one fitting could be listed for different OD pipes.
Another question?..How is this set screw fitting any less rain tight than the weather head? The only way I can see water entering this fitting is from the bottom but water will also enter the weather head from the bottom.
I agree with Bob. Putting the 10? section on the bottom and the short section on top is asking for problem. The chance of the coupling splitting or the conduit breaking at the coupling is very good.
I have never seen die cast fittings for RMC. The only set screw and compression fittings for RMC the suppliers stock in my area are steel. Bob, did you notice that in the link you provided the only rigid fittings available were for 1/2?, 3/4? and 1?? They don?t have any fittings for 1 ? - 2?. Once you get to the 2 ?? sizes EMT and RMC are the same OD.
Kenny, are you sure that the fitting was listed for EMT, RMC & IMC? I don?t see how one fitting could be listed for different OD pipes.
Another question?..How is this set screw fitting any less rain tight than the weather head? The only way I can see water entering this fitting is from the bottom but water will also enter the weather head from the bottom.
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