VIntage Feed Wires

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DansProfElec

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Huntington beach, CA
Hello folks,

I have a job to repair the vintage overhead wiring feeding 3 seperate buildings from a 3 meter panel, with a 2 pole, 30 Amp main breaker for each building ( 1 story, aprox 450 to 600 Sqft. each). The customer does not want to go underground and each building is aproximately 15 feet apart. He wants the wires all above ground from building to building (like it was before). These buildings are fed with 3 #10 Awg wires (hot, hot, neutral, no ground). Each unit has a 30Amp Main cutoff at the meter and a small sub panel in the building. I have attached a picture for your viewing pleasure. I do not know of anyone who sells triplex in a #10 and I don't know if it is legal to run #10's like they did in this 1930's install.

Before I tell the customer that I can't do it, anyone have any thoughts?

Thank you for your help.

Dan
OverheadWires.jpg
 
I remember reading something about running UF wire overhead to a detached garage, but you have to use a support cable. Can't remember or I'm wrong, maybe someone not as tired will chime in
 
You can run overhead UF with a messenger, but the UF must be marked SUNLIGHT RESISTANT.

340.12 has what you need to know.

However, I would probably never do overhead UF (unless it was really short) and would opt for #6 triplex instead.
 
@ Dans,
the pictures aren’t doing me any good!!!

-What type of buildings and its use?
-Where is the POCO's transformer in relation to all three structures?

Note: The owner will be getting what code and the serving utility requires.
 
To add-if the utility allows-I see no reason why you cannot have a 100 amp service (Note: Some areas require 100Amps or more for new services.) on each structure. Seeing that each is already metered, I can assume the property owner is renting these spaces out. The building I see in the pic is perfect for an overhead service (through the roof). But it will depend on the location of the transformer, and what the utility will allow. Some local utilities will force underground for service changes, or new construction.
 
DansProfElec said:
Hello folks,

I have a job to repair the vintage overhead wiring feeding 3 seperate buildings from a 3 meter panel, with a 2 pole, 30 Amp main breaker for each building ( 1 story, aprox 450 to 600 Sqft. each). The customer does not want to go underground and each building is aproximately 15 feet apart. He wants the wires all above ground from building to building (like it was before). These buildings are fed with 3 #10 Awg wires (hot, hot, neutral, no ground). Each unit has a 30Amp Main cutoff at the meter and a small sub panel in the building. I have attached a picture for your viewing pleasure. I do not know of anyone who sells triplex in a #10 and I don't know if it is legal to run #10's like they did in this 1930's install.

Before I tell the customer that I can't do it, anyone have any thoughts?

Thank you for your help.

Dan
View attachment 7136
Click to expand...

Article 225.6 allows the 10AWG in spans up to 50 FT.
 
After re-reading the OP?s post, it may be just a repair, or replacement of the overhead conductors.
 
If you can't get this past as a repair you are going to have several issues

1. Hight of conductors above grade or walkway/ no drip loop

2. No separate EGC, and neutrals not separated in the structure

3. Minimum size supply for each dwelling

These are just the main one I can see that might haunt you, and there may be others that I can't see from my computer chair.

Also around here we can get Aluminium 8,8,10 triplex or 8,8,8,10 quadplex we use it all the time for street light feeds.
 
These feed wires are coming from a 3 meter distribution panel. Each of These 3 rental units have 30 Amp sub panels in the unit and the 3 wires feed the Sub panels from the 30 amp main located at the 3 meter panel.

No ground, in the feeds, only at the main meter panel. Hight from the ground to gutter is short of 9 feet. the wood for the roof is rotted through which is why the owner started this project (to fix the roof), but the roofers are afraid of getting electricuted as the existing wires are brittle and the insulation is coming off. The roof has not been replaced since 1949!

SDG&E's Transformer is at the end of the block. the SDG&E connection from the pole goes to the 3 meter panel with a triplex cable, 3#6's go from the weatherhead to the 3 meter panel. The wires in the picture are going from the 3 meter panel, through 3/4" conduit to the weatherhead and between the units only.

If I can get by with the repair I will be a hero for the customer who does not have the funds to bring everything up to code. My concern is the grounding at the units and the 10' clearance.

Dan
 
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