Wet Location Advice

[A/A Fuel GTX]

I have a new house that will be fed from a pedestal 60' away. I'd like to come out of the pedestal with an underground run of 2" PVC, sleeve the foundation wall ( below grade ) with 2 1/2" and go straight into the panel in the basement. I know underground wiring is considered a wet location and even if all the couplings are properly installed, some moisture will be present within the conduit. My question is this, will I be asking for trouble later with maybe some water in the panel since the conduit will come straight into the enclosure with no 90's or LB's to hold the moisture back? I realize I would have to seal the sleeve where the 2" goes through the 2 1/2" PVC in the foundation wall. Any thoughts?

 

[ItsHot]

water problems

water problems

I have seen switchgear rooms flood in this sitiuation.

 

[infinity]

Why use a sleeve in the first place? Just install the 2" in the pour. Then it can be properly waterproofed on the outside of the foundation.

 

[brian john]

You'll never keep moisture out of conduits seal for water flow/intrusion and use approiate conductors.

 

[A/A Fuel GTX]

Why use a sleeve in the first place? Just install the 2" in the pour. Then it can be properly waterproofed on the outside of the foundation.

OK.......Good point but will I still have issues with moisture creeping into the load center over time? I don't know how much water ends up in properly installed conduits over a lengthy period. My other choice would be to put a 90 at the foundation, come up and use an LB and enter the basement above the foundation.

 

[stickboy1375]

OK.......Good point but will I still have issues with moisture creeping into the load center over time? I don't know how much water ends up in properly installed conduits over a lengthy period. My other choice would be to put a 90 at the foundation, come up and use an LB and enter the basement above the foundation.

just use duct seal if your worried about moisture, it will stop the air movement, water on the other hand...:roll:

 

[ceb58]

Will your area allow direct burial cable? If so no conduit to worry with except through foundation.

 

[benaround]

Tom, If you arrange for the PVC to drain, you may have a chance. Like

others have said it has a way of leaking sooner or later.

 

[LarryFine]

Any thoughts?

I have one: move the panel a couple of feet to either side, and have the conduit come through the wall into an LB, and have that hit the side of the panel.

That will give you a place to drill a couple of 1/8" drain holes in the side of the LB body facing the floor. It'll at least keep water out of the panel itself.

 

[benaround]

Tom, Are these Service Conductors or are they Feeders ?

 

[A/A Fuel GTX]

Frank....they are feeders.....

 

[A/A Fuel GTX]

I have one: move the panel a couple of feet to either side, and have the conduit come through the wall into an LB, and have that hit the side of the panel.

That will give you a place to drill a couple of 1/8" drain holes in the side of the LB body facing the floor. It'll at least keep water out of the panel itself.

Now that is a good idea.

 

[A/A Fuel GTX]

Will your area allow direct burial cable? If so no conduit to worry with except through foundation.

Yes, they allow direct burial cable but the area is rockey and I'd feel a lot more comfortable using a raceway. Even with DB, I'd still have to sleeve the foundation and therefore have possible moisture problems.

 

[A/A Fuel GTX]

just use duct seal if your worried about moisture, it will stop the air movement, water on the other hand...:roll:

Will duct seal be 100% effective? I would think that maybe some expanding foam would work better since it would be kind of hard to seal every little nook and cranny with a putty like material.

 

[iwire]

Will duct seal be 100% effective?

Not a chance against any pressure.

I would think that maybe some expanding foam would work better since it would be kind of hard to seal every little nook and cranny with a putty like material.

Not all foam can be used for this, it must not harm the conductors.

This can be http://www.polywater.com/ductseal.html

 

[jrclen]

And where would all this water come from? There is only so much moisture in the air inside the underground conduit. Once it condenses out into the conduit, it is done. Duct seal should prevent any more fresh moist air from entering the conduit to add to the water. Maybe it's just me, but I don't see a problem.

 

[Cow]

Use a handhole right outside the foundation wall?

 

[jrclen]

Use a handhole right outside the foundation wall?

So you are saying this conduit has an open bottom? Well in that case I see the problem. :grin:

 

[A/A Fuel GTX]

A handhole in this situation is useless. I still need to penetrate either the foundation wall below grade or 90 up on the exterior of the foundation wall and LB into the structure above the foundation wall where the floor joists are set.......

 

[Cow]

A handhole in this situation is useless.

Hmm, when I pictured it in my head I thought it would work... Maybe I should explain?

I would run the 2" from the pedestal to the handhole set next to the foundation and 90 it up. The conduit exiting the box would run vertically next to the wall and 90 through the foundation into the back of the panel. Then Ductseal. I can't see moisture being a problem when the pipe coming into the panel is only 3-5 ft long or so.