Underground Raceway

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ongmark

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An underground 2400 Volt system in a 2" PVC conduit was broke causing no damage to the conductors while digging a trench.

Is there any code that stipulates what is the process or procedure for splicing the conduit?
 
Re: Underground Raceway

how did you break through the concrete and conduit and not damage the wires?

just curious. sorry i cant help with the fix. i work on low voltage stuff.
 
Re: Underground Raceway

No. the NEC is not a product standard. You will have to either repair the conduit using the standard fittings (coupling in this case) which will require you to withdraw the conductors or use a listed and approved fitting designed for repairing the conduit with conductors installed. There a few brands on the market for this purpose.
 
Re: Underground Raceway

Indeed, how can you be certain that the conductors were not damaged? If you relying on, for example, a megger test, that would not tell you that there had been no damage to the insulation.
 
Re: Underground Raceway

Originally posted by charlie b:
Indeed, how can you be certain that the conductors were not damaged? If you relying on, for example, a megger test, that would not tell you that there had been no damage to the insulation.
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charlie help me here. If a digging machine got through concrete and conduit in a way as to do dammage, then I would assume stress on the conductors at the minimum. how much pulling force is requiered to degrade the copper strands.

i would be afraid to trust it. and where i work i would request engineering supervision regarding the fix.
 
Re: Underground Raceway

JB, the OP did not mention concrete encased.

Ongmark, locate an electrical testing outfit in your area, they will have the equipment to test the conductors at voltage levels high enough to let you know.

Roger
 
Re: Underground Raceway

The original system was installed approximately thirty years ago. To my knowledge the medium voltage cables have never been replaced. This system is approximately 24" underground with no concrete nor safety markings.

Thank you for all of your replies.
Would someone recommend a product for splicing the conduit?
 
Re: Underground Raceway

Originally posted by roger:
JB, the OP did not mention concrete encased.
Roger
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Is there such a thing as a 2400 volt system underground in PVC that is not concrete encased?
 
Re: Underground Raceway

i am busted, posts crossed.

i have never seen that high a voltage that was not in a duct bank. and only 24 inches deep. gees no wonder he hit it .
 
Re: Underground Raceway

Originally posted by jbwhite:
i have never seen that high a voltage that was not in a duct bank. and only 24 inches deep. gees no wonder he hit it .
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That would be a design decision not an NEC requirement.

Check out Table 300.50.

Over 600 V to above 40 KV in Rigid Metal Conduit or Intermediate Metal Conduit has a 6" burial depth requirement no cement needed.

Direct- Buried Cables operating between 600 V through 22 kV have a 30" burial depth requirement.

Makes me want to call "Dig Safe" more often. :eek:
 
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