Weather head requirements ?

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ritelec

ritelec

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Location
Jersey
Are weather heads in a service always required?
I've seen no weather heads installed at the shore on SEU, and I'm guessing because of the effects of the salt water (air) but what about the rest of the metal components, pan, straps, connectors ?

If this is the reason, even with no salt in conditions, why would a service head be required in other areas ( with proper installation to not have water run down the inside of the sheath) ?

Reason I ask. I'm in Jersey and I always pass a commercial building with 3" (? Maybe larger) running horizontally across the top of the building then ends in a 45 pointing down to where the conductors come out to a drip loop.

I see no problem with it but is a head nessasary to satisfy code?

Just curious.



Thank you
 
SE does not require a service weather head, a goose neck with the sheathing taped is acceptable. 230.54(B) exception.

As far as your horizontal conduit with 45 degree elbow pointing downward. While it works I am not seeing a specific allowance and 230.54(A) says you need a listed weather head.
 
The weatherhead needs to be installed in an orientation that is consistent with it's design and listing. If it's designed to be installed only vertically then it cannot be on an angle.
 
infinity said:
The weatherhead needs to be installed in an orientation that is consistent with it's design and listing. If it's designed to be installed only vertically then it cannot be on an angle.
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Thank you. I see guys make that 9o or double 90 thing to do that orientation.
Looks terrible.

Yet I've seen many more not.

Don't see except for listings why it couldn't be placed in the horizontal ?

I meen. Is not a standard se squeeze connector permitted out of the side of the meter pan ?
 
jumper said:
Assuming you mean one of these:



then no. Dry location only, although I have plenty used coming out the bottom of meter pans, but not the side. Both are violations.
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How so?
I've done that a lot out of the bottom and never got gigged for it.
Where in the code is that?
 
jumper said:
That fitting is listed for dry locations only.

Lotsa services with that fitting out the bottom pass but it is a technical violation.
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I've never seen one labeled for dry locations only. Also if it's below the live parts I believe that it can be used in the bottom or the side of the meter enclosure.
 
jumper said:
That fitting is listed for dry locations only.

Lotsa services with that fitting out the bottom pass but it is a technical violation.
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I live in an area that is 99% SEU cable for residential and that is the only fitting we use on the bottom of the meter socket. Has never been in an issue in my area, I think inspectors would look at you funny if you used a watertight connector on the bottom.
 
infinity said:
I've never seen one labeled for dry locations only. Also if it's below the live parts I believe that it can be used in the bottom or the side of the meter enclosure.
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peter d said:
I live in an area that is 99% SEU cable for residential and that is the only fitting we use on the bottom of the meter socket. Has never been in an issue in my area, I think inspectors would look at you funny if you used a watertight connector on the bottom.
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I just picked Oz Gedney from Google.

http://www.emersonindustrial.com/en...on-watertight_service_entrance_connectors.pdf

Dry location only. Think about it, the 2" SE connectors are nothing but large NM fittings. Not weather resistant in any way.

Yes, it is common to see them in the bottom of meter panels cause water does not flow up and no one cares, including me, but still a technical violation unless listed for wet locations and I am guessing no one is going to find such a beast. I am willing to admit I am wrong if shown.
 
The NEC allows these connectors to be used in a meter enclosure in a wet location if they enter above the live parts which typically means the bottom or the side. If the Connector is marked "dry only' that's a separate issue.

312.2 Damp and Wet Locations. In damp or wet locations, surface-type enclosures within the scope of this article shall be placed or equipped so as to prevent moisture or water from entering and accumulating within the cabinet
or cutout box, and shall be mounted so there is at least 6-mm ( 1 ⁄ 4 -in.) airspace between the enclosure and the wall
or other supporting surface. Enclosures installed in wet locations shall be weatherproof. For enclosures in wet locations, raceways or cables entering above the level of uninsulated live parts shall use fittings listed for wet locations.
Exception: Nonmetallic enclosures shall be permitted to
be installed without the airspace on a concrete, masonry,
tile, or similar surface.
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Hmmm...
If one were to run down the outside of the building load side of the meter pan with EMT, and coming out of the lower side of that pan below uninsulated live parts, one could use a set screw connector if one desired??

If so, what would be the need to use compression couplings??



secondly, would this article cover fs boxes and coming out of the bottom with a romex connector?

Thank you for the education
 
ritelec said:
Hmmm...
If one were to run down the outside of the building load side of the meter pan with EMT, and coming out of the lower side of that pan below uninsulated live parts, one could use a set screw connector if one desired??

If so, what would be the need to use compression couplings??



secondly, would this article cover fs boxes and coming out of the bottom with a romex connector?

Thank you for the education
Click to expand...

Boxes are different. If you look at 312.2 it says "enclosures within the scope of this article" those enclosures ares subject to the above live parts equal wet location rated rule. Boxes are covered under 314.15 which requires all of the fittings to be listed for wet locations.

312.2 Damp and Wet Locations. In damp or wet locations, surface-type enclosures within the scope of this article shall be placed or equipped so as to prevent moisture or water from entering and accumulating within the cabinet
or cutout box, and shall be mounted so there is at least 6-mm ( 1 ⁄ 4 -in.) airspace between the enclosure and the wall
or other supporting surface. Enclosures installed in wet locations shall be weatherproof. For enclosures in wet locations, raceways or cables entering above the level of uninsulated live parts shall use fittings listed for wet locations.
Exception: Nonmetallic enclosures shall be permitted to
be installed without the airspace on a concrete, masonry,
tile, or similar surface.
Click to expand...

314.15 Damp or Wet Locations. In damp or wet locations, boxes, conduit bodies, and fittings shall be placed or
equipped so as to prevent moisture from entering or accumulating within the box, conduit body, or fitting. Boxes,
conduit bodies, and fittings installed in wet locations shall be listed for use in wet locations.
Click to expand...
 
peter d said:
I live in an area that is 99% SEU cable for residential and that is the only fitting we use on the bottom of the meter socket. Has never been in an issue in my area, I think inspectors would look at you funny if you used a watertight connector on the bottom.
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I agree with you, and I use those connectors for that. Still a violation.
 
infinity said:
The NEC allows these connectors to be used in a meter enclosure in a wet location if they enter above the live parts which typically means the bottom or the side. If the Connector is marked "dry only' that's a separate issue.
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The sections you quoted do not change the requirements of 110.3(B).

These connectors are for dry locations only.


Yet we all still do it.
 
iwire said:
Can you find a connector like that for wet or even damp locations?

Personally I just think it is just an accepted practice.
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You're 100% correct, in my brief search I couldn't find any listed for damp or wet locations.
 
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