underground service

[asmithcms@yahoo.com]

Comments and/or opinions on the use of PVC conduit as an underground service riser.

Our concern is the use of a weed whacker and the eventual distruction of the conduit intregrity.

Comments and /or opinions on the proper installation of slip joint fittings on underground service risers.

our concern is; should the conduit enter the meter base at the bottom center or at the bottom side. Bottom side would allow for a longer streight run to the top of the box and a 180 degree bend into the top lugs. a bottom center enterence would require to a shorter run to the bottom of the meter base and then two 90 degree bends to get to the top of the meter base..

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Comments and/or opinions on the use of PVC conduit as an underground service riser.

Our concern is the use of a weed whacker and the eventual distruction of the conduit intregrity.

Comments and /or opinions on the proper installation of slip joint fittings on underground service risers.

our concern is; should the conduit enter the meter base at the bottom center or at the bottom side. Bottom side would allow for a longer streight run to the top of the box and a 180 degree bend into the top lugs. a bottom center enterence would require to a shorter run to the bottom of the meter base and then two 90 degree bends to get to the top of the meter base..

Firstly, there is nothing wrong with using pvc. Where it is subject to damage you must use schedule 80. This is a thicker walled pvc conduit and it would take some hard weed whacking to break thru.

Secondly, I assume you are talking about the line side of the meter. The power company here wants the run to be at the bottom side for ease of installation.

 

[480sparky]

Sch. 80 PVC is allowed where I am, but if I think it's subject to damage, such as in a driveway that is poured right up to the house, I use GRC.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Sch. 80 PVC is allowed where I am, but if I think it's subject to damage, such as in a driveway that is poured right up to the house, I use GRC.

I bet GRC will bend if you hit it with a car or truck. :smile:

 

[LarryFine]

This reminds me about a guy I used to work with, who disliked steel-toed shoes. His argument was that, with non-steel toes, at least you get to keep what's left of your toes. With steel toes, they stay with the shoes.

our concern is; should the conduit enter the meter base at the bottom center or at the bottom side.

That will be up to your local POCO's rules. Do they have a blue book, or green book, or whatever the color of choice is?

 

[don_resqcapt19]

I have mixed feelings about this...in my opinion rigid steel provides much better protection for the service conductors than PVC, however in the event of a fault to the metal raceway, it may never take out the utility primary fuses and can result in a shock hazard and or the ignition of the building.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Well I am sure we can argue this forever. It is obviously an ahj call but it appears to me a meter base installed in a driveway is a bad idea not the pvc. :grin::grin:

 

[ultramegabob]

install bollards.

 

[480sparky]

I bet GRC will bend if you hit it with a car or truck. :smile:

Well, nothing is invincible. But a slight bump by a tire, bumper or slowblower at 30 below won't shatter it. If I install bollards, then someone will mention a Sherman tank.

..... but it appears to me a meter base installed in a driveway is a bad idea not the pvc. :grin::grin:

Sometimes, you're just trying to repair an existing service. And meters on the driveway side are quite common here.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Well, nothing is invincible. But a slight bump by a tire, bumper or slowblower at 30 below won't shatter it. If I install bollards, then someone will mention a Sherman tank.

Not a sherman tank but I might mention a Humvee. :grin:

 

[C3PO]

Most of the POCOs I work in spec sch80 PVC, but there is one poco 2-3 hours from me that requires RGC.

I have seen a house where the homeowner put in a flower bed along the wall where the meterbase is. The mulch in the flower bed melted a hole in the PVC.

 

[480sparky]

Not a sherman tank but I might mention a Humvee. :grin:

 

[Dennis Alwon]

lol-- that must be a volvo ad. :grin:

 

[iwire]

I bet GRC will bend if you hit it with a car or truck. :smile:

No doubt it could happen but not many modern vehicles have a bumper that is stronger then RMC.

Even the metal bumper on my van would likely bend before collapsing the RMC. :roll:

 

[peter d]

Comments and/or opinions on the use of PVC conduit as an underground service riser.

It's used for the vast majority of residential and commercial services here.

Comments and /or opinions on the proper installation of slip joint fittings on underground service risers.

They are required by some Poco's here and the NEC may require them as well depending on your weather.


Now, if your are talking about the pole end of the service, this is entirely up to the Poco rules. In my area, one poco requires RMC for the first 10', another requires RMC all the way up, still another does not require RMC at all and PVC is allowed for the whole thing.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

No doubt it could happen but not many modern vehicles have a bumper that is stronger then RMC.

Even the metal bumper on my van would likely bend before collapsing the RMC. :roll:

Oh I was just being contrary. Of course rmc is a stronger conduit then PVC but again I question why the meter is allowed there. When a door opens it surely will break the glass on the meter.

Since I have never seen conduit destroyed in a driveway I feel schedule 80 is enough. Obviously the nec does also.

 

[480sparky]

...Since I have never seen conduit destroyed in a driveway I feel schedule 80 is enough.....

Now you have.​

 

[stretch12]

if someone gets their vehicle that close to damage a lateral you have other problems to worry about such as a honda in the living room

 

[LawnGuyLandSparky]

So let's compromise...

PVC Coated GRC it is...

 

[hillbilly]

Now you have.​

How can we be sure that's sch.80?:smile:

Looks like white plumbing pipe from here.

steve