SEU as Feeders
- Thread starter dbj
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: SEU as Feeders
You question is not clear, you mention "feeder" and "unfused". A feeder is "fused" and a service is not.
It may not be a NEC issue, but a local rule. In Washington State unfused service entrance conductors of any type are limited to 15 ft.
You can always concrete encase the SEU and go as far as you want.
[ February 10, 2004, 12:26 AM: Message edited by: tom baker ]
You question is not clear, you mention "feeder" and "unfused". A feeder is "fused" and a service is not.
It may not be a NEC issue, but a local rule. In Washington State unfused service entrance conductors of any type are limited to 15 ft.
You can always concrete encase the SEU and go as far as you want.
[ February 10, 2004, 12:26 AM: Message edited by: tom baker ]
pierre
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Re: SEU as Feeders
Tom
Is that 15 feet from the meter or 15 feet inside the building?
Pierre
Tom
Is that 15 feet from the meter or 15 feet inside the building?
Pierre
charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
Re: SEU as Feeders
230.70(A)(1)The service disconnecting means shall be installed at a readily accessible location either outside of a building or structure or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors.
230.70(A)(1)The service disconnecting means shall be installed at a readily accessible location either outside of a building or structure or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors.
Re: SEU as Feeders
This is purposly left unspecified by the NEC. Each AHJ must be allowed to inspect each individual service to determine what is "nearest the point of entrance" for each building. However, everyone agrees that no service conductors are to be installed hidden within the building structure; the SEU must be visible for its entire length. Any rules of thumb, like 5 feet, 10 feet, or 15 feet, are arbitrary. I'll wager that any utility or state has not commited to writing a specific length. For, if they did, they would have opened a large legal "can of worms".
This is purposly left unspecified by the NEC. Each AHJ must be allowed to inspect each individual service to determine what is "nearest the point of entrance" for each building. However, everyone agrees that no service conductors are to be installed hidden within the building structure; the SEU must be visible for its entire length. Any rules of thumb, like 5 feet, 10 feet, or 15 feet, are arbitrary. I'll wager that any utility or state has not commited to writing a specific length. For, if they did, they would have opened a large legal "can of worms".
jimwalker
Senior Member
- Location
- TAMPA FLORIDA
Re: SEU as Feeders
If this was a typical Fl home with concrete floor then the point of entry would be anyplace the pvc came out of the floor.
If this was a typical Fl home with concrete floor then the point of entry would be anyplace the pvc came out of the floor.
pierre
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Re: SEU as Feeders
230.6 Conductors Considered Outside the Building.
"... or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors."
I have no problem with bringing service conductors anywhere you want inside a building, as long as they are encased in 2 inches of concrete as 230.6 states.
How some of these municipalities have come up with 10, 15 or more feet I do not know - I would make sure that is in writing.
Why does one need to enter so far into a building with the service conductors without overcurrent protection? The only answer I can see is MONEY!
Pierre
230.6 Conductors Considered Outside the Building.
"... or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors."
I have no problem with bringing service conductors anywhere you want inside a building, as long as they are encased in 2 inches of concrete as 230.6 states.
How some of these municipalities have come up with 10, 15 or more feet I do not know - I would make sure that is in writing.
Why does one need to enter so far into a building with the service conductors without overcurrent protection? The only answer I can see is MONEY!
Pierre
hurk27
Senior Member
- Location
- Portage, Indiana NEC: 2008
Re: SEU as Feeders
Pierre
I have seen the results when the service conductors short out and in one case it was in the concrete slab about 2" in. the slab cracked and shorted the SEU the heat it generated exploded the concrete and caught the carpet and couch on fire (just smoldered). The wire burned all the way to the outside wall exploding the concrete along the way. what stoped it was the tap on the secondary at the transformer finely melted open. The only thing that saved this house was that the carpet and couch had flame retardent as required by the manufactureing codes. SO I don't go into a house very far even when the local AHJ will allow it. unless there is OPCD's for it.
Pierre
I have seen the results when the service conductors short out and in one case it was in the concrete slab about 2" in. the slab cracked and shorted the SEU the heat it generated exploded the concrete and caught the carpet and couch on fire (just smoldered). The wire burned all the way to the outside wall exploding the concrete along the way. what stoped it was the tap on the secondary at the transformer finely melted open. The only thing that saved this house was that the carpet and couch had flame retardent as required by the manufactureing codes. SO I don't go into a house very far even when the local AHJ will allow it. unless there is OPCD's for it.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: SEU as Feeders
Here is a picture of a typical CA service.
The service riser runs down the inside of the wall to a flush mounted meter panel combo.
I would have said that too until Bill A. steered me to a thread at his site.
Here is a picture of a typical CA service.
The service riser runs down the inside of the wall to a flush mounted meter panel combo.
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: SEU as Feeders
Pierre: 15 ft inside the building.
Pierre: 15 ft inside the building.
- Status