ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area PVC.....Tough as Steel?

I have seen Schedule 80 used extensively around coastal areas because the rigid/IMC rusts so bad. Areas where chemicals like chlorine or acids are used also seem to need the PVC over the metal so I guess it would also depend on the environment even if there are hazards of being hit by vehicles etc.

In areas where you must use PVC, such as the costal areas, which we have a lot of here in Jersey, we will add protection if needed.
And here in Jersey the Utility and EC's use PVC on the poles.

Bob:
FYI, our utilities also condone PVC for PRIMARY risers at poles, (going to UG, to pad mount xfrs) 4160/7KV & 13.5KV

Yes, PVC is used widely for 120/208 and 277/480 risers at poles. The utilities require that the risers be on "the quarter of the pole away from the flow of traffic", or some wording to that effect.

That should make your day

John

John.

It just scares me to think of 13 KV only protected by plastic.

Some of the utilities now make us use 4" or 5" RMC large radius sweeps with 10' of RMC on either side of that. 10' up the pole, sweep and 10' underground then we change to PVC

That said it also scares me that many times these RMCs are not bonded to anything. We will provide the POCO specified bonding fitting on the top of the RMC but it often goes unconnected.

Have you ever tried to move 20' and a large radius sweep in 5" RMC. Glad we rent all terrain fork lifts.

Delectric's post made me think about the times I've been on vacation on the SC and NC coasts.

I've never noticed any Rmc there,unless it's a riser on an OH service.

Disconnects,and other metal electrical parts quickly corrode away there,and you can see installations only a couple years old rotting off the wall.

Russell

Russell,
There's a panel I installed for a house in San Diego... Literally "on the beach", I've gone back there for additional work on numerous occasions, & every time, I put a new coat of noalox on the bus bars... Thing started showing corrosion about 6 months after install!.. So far so good though! (Corrosion was the reason for replacement in the first place!).. If you want to see EMT after its been at the beach here for a while...
click here
& scroll down to the 5th pic...

-Randy

Boy that is "disapearing emt"