Alright, so I'm just starting to realize just how many types of wire...and I'm sure there some more wire I've not even heard of yet...but anyway...my question...Is there a website, or some other reference which talks about the different types of wire? Like SER, SEU, THHN, TFFN, etc...?
Wire types...?
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paul
Senior Member
- Location
- Snohomish, WA
Re: Wire types...?
I'm going to go with the odds on this one and say, 'YES' there is a website on this. Goodluck finding it.
I'm going to go with the odds on this one and say, 'YES' there is a website on this. Goodluck finding it.
charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
Re: Wire types...?
The NEC gives you some help with that in 310.13, 400.4, 402.3, and several of the 3XX Articles that deal with cables.
The NEC gives you some help with that in 310.13, 400.4, 402.3, and several of the 3XX Articles that deal with cables.
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- Hospital Master Electrician
Re: Wire types...?
Okay, I'm link-lazy.
What is SEU? I use SER on a regular basis, USE, URD, never heard of SEU.
Okay, I'm link-lazy.
What is SEU? I use SER on a regular basis, USE, URD, never heard of SEU.
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- Hospital Master Electrician
Re: Wire types...?
Service Entrance Ultraconductor. Yeah.
Service Entrance Ultraconductor. Yeah.
I wonder if this is that slippery crap that's been driving me nuts for the past month. Figured it was a manufacturing defect that was going to eventually get fixed!!! I'm gonna check and see, we get southwire now and then.
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
Re: Wire types...?
SEU -> 3 wire: 2 insulated conductors, 1 uninsulated conductor which is wrapped over/around the insulated conductors giving a U shaped, well actually a U on it's side (okay oval shaped) cable.
SER -> 4 wire: 3 insulated conductors, 1 uninsulated conductor which is bundled with the other 3 conductors giving a Round shaped (sometimes called rope) cable.
SEU -> 3 wire: 2 insulated conductors, 1 uninsulated conductor which is wrapped over/around the insulated conductors giving a U shaped, well actually a U on it's side (okay oval shaped) cable.
SER -> 4 wire: 3 insulated conductors, 1 uninsulated conductor which is bundled with the other 3 conductors giving a Round shaped (sometimes called rope) cable.
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- Hospital Master Electrician
Re: Wire types...?
This sounds stupid, forgive me, but: where would you use SEU? Between what and what, I mean?
Does it have an overall jacket like SER?
This sounds stupid, forgive me, but: where would you use SEU? Between what and what, I mean?
Does it have an overall jacket like SER?
charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
Re: Wire types...?
It is built the same way but with one less conductor (two side by each and one bare concentric). It is used for 1? service entrance cable, not for feeders. In the past, it was known as "range cable" because that is what it was used for so much.
It is built the same way but with one less conductor (two side by each and one bare concentric). It is used for 1? service entrance cable, not for feeders. In the past, it was known as "range cable" because that is what it was used for so much.
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- Hospital Master Electrician
Re: Wire types...?
So, it would be used between the meter and a Main Breaker panel then? If the disconnect was located on the outside you'd use SER, but with no disconnect, you'd run SEU, right?
So, it would be used between the meter and a Main Breaker panel then? If the disconnect was located on the outside you'd use SER, but with no disconnect, you'd run SEU, right?
pierre
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Re: Wire types...?
As far as learning more about cable and conductor types, go to Google.com and type in either electrical conductor or electrical cable and have at it. Save the sites you like best so you will not have to search for them again.
From the UL White Book - General Information for Electrical Equipment.
Type SE - Indicates cable for aboveground installation. Both the individual insulated conductors and the outer jacket or finish of Type SE are suitable for use where exposed to sun.
Type USE and USE-2 - Indicates cable for underground installation including direct burial in the earth. Cable in sizes 4/0 AWG and smaller and having all conductors insulated is suitable for all of the underground uses for which Type UF cable is permitted by the NEC. Types USE and USE-2 are not suitable for use in premises or aboveground except to terminate at the service equipment or metering equipment. Both the insulation and the outer covering, when used, on single and multiconductor Types USE and USE-2, are suitable for use where exposed to sun.
USE is not permitted indoors.
In some NEC versions, there is an errata in Article 338. 338.10(A)(4), the last paragraph. The sentence "The length of the cable extending indoors to the first termination box shall not exceed 1.8m (6ft)." should be eliminated from the text, as it is incorrect.
Pierre
As far as learning more about cable and conductor types, go to Google.com and type in either electrical conductor or electrical cable and have at it. Save the sites you like best so you will not have to search for them again.
From the UL White Book - General Information for Electrical Equipment.
Type SE - Indicates cable for aboveground installation. Both the individual insulated conductors and the outer jacket or finish of Type SE are suitable for use where exposed to sun.
Type USE and USE-2 - Indicates cable for underground installation including direct burial in the earth. Cable in sizes 4/0 AWG and smaller and having all conductors insulated is suitable for all of the underground uses for which Type UF cable is permitted by the NEC. Types USE and USE-2 are not suitable for use in premises or aboveground except to terminate at the service equipment or metering equipment. Both the insulation and the outer covering, when used, on single and multiconductor Types USE and USE-2, are suitable for use where exposed to sun.
USE is not permitted indoors.
In some NEC versions, there is an errata in Article 338. 338.10(A)(4), the last paragraph. The sentence "The length of the cable extending indoors to the first termination box shall not exceed 1.8m (6ft)." should be eliminated from the text, as it is incorrect.
Pierre
speedypetey
Senior Member
- Location
- Hudson Valley, NY
Re: Wire types...?
Right George. Many services around here are done with SEU from the weatherhead to meter and meter to panel. They make metal and plastic weatherheads specially for SEU cable.
I prefer a PVC riser myself. Much more protection and better looking IMO. Not much more $$ either.
[ December 11, 2004, 09:53 PM: Message edited by: speedypetey ]
Right George. Many services around here are done with SEU from the weatherhead to meter and meter to panel. They make metal and plastic weatherheads specially for SEU cable.
I prefer a PVC riser myself. Much more protection and better looking IMO. Not much more $$ either.
[ December 11, 2004, 09:53 PM: Message edited by: speedypetey ]
- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- Hospital Master Electrician
Re: Wire types...?
Ok. Thanks for the clarification.
Ok. Thanks for the clarification.
Re: Wire types...?
Hi George.
(Circa 1972 as I can remember.)
rbj, Seattle
Hi George.
In residential, SEU is commonly used in wall pathways as is SER. It is a more economical answer to the high cost of larger size NM (i.e. 2-2 w/g)in such places as a 240 VAC, 1Ph line supply to the disconnect of a single package heatpump with staged heater elements, compressor section, and fan with cable sized depending on unit HVAC tonnage requirements.(i.e.40A, 60A, 30A DP split disconnects) The SEU has been used in the past from meter pan to the panelboard service entrance transition sans conduit.
(Circa 1972 as I can remember.)
rbj, Seattle
charlie
Senior Member
- Location
- Indianapolis
Re: Wire types...?
It is still being used that way in areas where the SE is not subject to damage. There is no good reason to place perfectly good SE cable in a sleeve unless it is subject to damage. Just because it is on the side of a building doesn't mean it must be sleeved.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: Wire types...?
SE is still commonly used in this area for of all things....service entrances.
SE is still commonly used in this area for of all things....service entrances.
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