Underground service termination

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Electriman

Senior Member
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TX
Greetings,

I was wondering if I can use LFMC conduit when I am terminating the underground service to service disconnect or breaker panel. For termination, I need to use a flexible conduit so I can bend it and take the service cable out of ground and terminate it to service disconnect or panel.

Thank you for your advice in advance.
 
Unless it changed in a later Code, LFMC is not listed for use underground for service conductors {230.30(B)}
(very limited use for above ground which might apply for you but protection from physocal damage could be an issue, 350.12)
 
The main run is PVC schedule 40. It is just from hand hole to terminal box about 7 ft which is in cased in concrete and metal. I am using to feed a load on a lighting pole.
 
O.K. The word "service" in your OP guided me. If it is a branch circuit to a light pole, see Art 350.
It appears IF the LFMC is marked for direct burial and not subject to physical damage it would be permissible.
 
augie47 said:
O.K. The word "service" in your OP guided me. If it is a branch circuit to a light pole, see Art 350.
It appears IF the LFMC is marked for direct burial and not subject to physical damage it would be permissible.
Click to expand...
It is service because it come from utility but is not subject to physical damage.
 
Makes for a interesting question and you very well may have researched it before you asked.
IMO, the portion connecting to the conduit would still bu underground albeit encased so 230.30 would not allow it. If we don't consider it "underground" you would need to be cautious of the restrictions in 230.43(15) where bonding would be an interesting issue.

It appears LFNC might be a better choice if one considers the encasement to allow it "underground".

Be interesting to see what others say.
 
If the conduit on the pole was exposed to physical damage, ie being hit by a vehicle, that would restrict the wiring method. Even RMC on a pole can be damaged, so perhaps stout metal guard strips
 
Here is what code 230.43(15) is saying. my understanding is that I should be able to use LFMC in my case since it is used between race way and disconnect box and it is also less than 6'. Am I missing something?

2017 Code Language:

230.43 Wiring Methods for 1000 Volts, Nominal, or Less. Service-entrance conductors shall be installed in accordance with the applicable requirements of this Code covering the type of wiring method used and shall be limited to the following methods:

(1) Open wiring on insulators

(2) Type IGS cable

(3) Rigid metal conduit (RMC)

(4) Intermediate metal conduit (IMC)

(5) Electrical metallic tubing (EMT)

(6) Electrical nonmetallic tubing

(7) Service-entrance cables

(8) Wireways

(9) Busways

(10) Auxiliary gutters

(11) Rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit (PVC)

(12) Cablebus

(13) Type MC cable

(14) Mineral-insulated, metal-sheathed cable, Type MI

(15) Flexible metal conduit (FMC) not over 1.8 m (6 ft) long or liquidtight flexible metal conduit (LFMC) not over 1.8 m (6 ft) long between a raceway, or between a raceway and service equipment, with a supply-side bonding jumper routed with the flexible metal conduit (FMC) or the liquidtight flexible metal conduit (LFMC) according to the provisions of 250.102(A), (B), (C), and (E)

(16) Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit (LFNC)

(17) High density polyethylene conduit (HDPE)

(18) Nonmetallic underground conduit with conductors (NUCC)

(19) Reinforced thermosetting resin conduit (RTRC)
 
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