Temporary Service Wiring Method???

[Pierre C Belarge]

I came across this installation today. It was installed and inspected before I started inspecting this job - a large job that has been active for about 2 years.

I am wondering how others feel about this installation.
The load side wiring from this Temp service is SER conductors and they travel underground- to where I am not sure.

 

[ItsHot]

no exposed SE

no exposed SE

A lot of areas local code does not permitt any SE type cable to be exposed. (outside) ie: at a service, everything has to be in conduit. I think this is a good practice!

 

[iwire]

Pierre for temps we do this all the time, but the SER will be in PVC conduit underground.

Many times the SER will be parallel sets of 480 volt conductors.

 

[iwire]

A lot of areas local code does not permitt any SE type cable to be exposed. (outside) ie: at a service, everything has to be in conduit.

True, but not here in the Northeast.

I think this is a good practice!

I think a requirement to always use pipe is ridiculous.

 

[infinity]

For temp situations the use of SER underground, strung up on poles or trees is quite common. My guess is that since it will eventually be ripped out most inspectors don't enforce the code rules to the letter. I recently saw a bunch of construction trailers wired with a PVC feeder that was laying on top of the dirt for about 200'. Must have been there for 6 months or so. Now it's gone. Bottom line is that the temp world is much different than the permanent installation world.

And I agree with Bob. There is absolutely nothing wrong with SE cables that are exposed. Around here most of the services have had exposed SE for decades without any problems.