ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
UL 508A SPACING
by ale348 - 03/29/24 01:09 AM
Increasing demand factors in residential
by tortuga - 03/28/24 05:57 PM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
1 members (ale348), 302 guests, and 14 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
#164696 06/08/07 10:01 PM
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 202
W
WFO Offline OP
Member
Our POCO requires metallic conduit for a service entrance to the meter. It does not allow a two way feed (as you would have on a overhead meter pole) in the same conduit, so many customers have the service coming into the meter in metallic tubing and the exiting wire going back up the pole in a seperate PVC conduit. We are having an argument on if PVC conduit is permissible for this purpose. If there is applicable code, please list the sections. Thanks.

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
Sch 80?
This will come down to the old "physical damage" judgement call.


Greg Fretwell
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 202
W
WFO Offline OP
Member
I don't think the size was discussed but I'm assuming everyone was thinking Schedule 80. Does the "judgement" remark mean it is not specifically prohibited, but left to the discretion of the installer?

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
The installer in conjunction with the AHJ policy.
"Subject to physical damage" and what makes that "severe physical damage" is like pornography.
Nobody can define it but every AHJ thinks he knows it when he sees it. Few can actually agree what it is.


Greg Fretwell
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,457
E
Member
I ususally use sch 40 PVC for all my services. Unless there is a walkway or driveway in that side of the building then sch 80 it is.

Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 482
Z
Member
Out here in Cali, the AHJ usually backs up the requirements set forth by the POCO. Period. Here, it's sch. 80 for anything that is exposed, and sch. 40 for the underground. The POCO lays out the specifics for the diameter of the pipe (min. 2", most apps are 3") radius of the sweeps, allowable total deflection of the bends (180 deg for SDGE, unless approved for an extra 45 or two), placement and manufaturer/model of the hand holes, and pretty much everything else. They even do their own independent trench inspections, on top of the AHJs.

So, to give you an answer you may not like, if the POCO says it's so, then it is usually so, and no amount of debate is likely to put a dent in that.

Results may vary by location...

Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,923
Likes: 32
G
Member
I was just doing a little research for my golf bathroom service deal and it turns out FPL provides your conduit as part of the service charge. You pay them the labor charge to do the work.
Then you can do the work yourself, If that meets their satisfaction they refund your labor money, minus what it cost them to bring your job up to their standard.
I found that whole process strange.

http://www.fpl.com/doingbusiness/builder/b1_index.shtml


Greg Fretwell
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 288
Y
Member
See, this is why it pays to read before you type. I was about to write that if Schedule 40 is acceptable for service conductors under the NEC, it should be OK for a feeder even if your local POCO regs call for metallic conduit. Then I looked and the 2002 NEC says Schedule 80. Turns out that is a change in the 2002 Code.

I didn't know, because the last time I worked anyplace that allowed PVC for a service riser was in 1997. Then again, I've never been red-tagged for a Schedule 40 lateral rising above-grade, which to my knowledge remains entirely legal in my neck of the woods.

Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 613
M
Member
PVC is used often here in BC but we never see schedule 80 except in water piping. Mech protection may be required.


Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5