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Posted By: Lee service entrance cable length - 12/16/04 02:57 PM
What is the required length of the service entrance cable into a dwelling?

What code?
Posted By: slumlordworker Re: service entrance cable length - 12/16/04 03:10 PM
there is no required length according to the NEC

I would check with the local AHJ to see what there codes are
Posted By: iwire Re: service entrance cable length - 12/16/04 08:42 PM
Quote
What is the required length of the service entrance cable into a dwelling?

All the way from the service point to the service disconnecting means. [Linked Image]

[Linked Image] Sorry..


Are you are asking how far inside the building we can run SE cable inside a building?

There is no answer, it is up to your local AHJ.

Here is the NEC 2002 section for you.

Quote
230.70(A)(1)(1) Readily Accessible Location. The service disconnecting means shall be installed at a readily accessible location either outside of a building or structure or inside nearest the point of entrance of the service conductors.

You local AHJ gets to decide how 'far' "nearest the point of entrance" can be.

Bob
Posted By: NJwirenut Re: service entrance cable length - 12/16/04 09:22 PM
In addition to the AHJ, quite often the PoCo has some standards, as well. They are concerned not only about the potential hazards of unfused conductors inside the building, but in the case of any wiring before the meter, the ease of hiding power theft, as well.
Posted By: iwire Re: service entrance cable length - 12/16/04 09:28 PM
Theres another one of those 'area' differences. [Linked Image]

Here in MA the POCO does not have any rules on this.

They tell us where the meter will be but nothing about the service disconnect location. [Linked Image]
Posted By: LK Re: service entrance cable length - 12/16/04 10:05 PM
Here in NJ we have 5 power companies and each has it's own rules, in my location it is not more then 2ft.
Posted By: Steve Miller Re: service entrance cable length - 12/16/04 10:22 PM
In our area the rule of thumb is 2 ft. Sometimes we have a prob and have been given the ok for 3 or 4. I once got permission to have 5' inside but the AHJ made it clear that they were only granting this permission because the panels (it was actually 20 townhouses in a row, all identical) were in rooms that were separated from the main house by 4 masonry walls, concrete floor and fire rated ceiling (furnace was in the room also).
Posted By: makokiller Re: service entrance cable length - 12/16/04 10:25 PM
you must hit your panel within 5' upon entering your building, here in ny
Posted By: Lee Re: service entrance cable length - 12/17/04 02:29 AM
thanks yall
Posted By: dmattox Re: service entrance cable length - 12/17/04 02:52 AM
Just did demo on a grocery store here in SoCal, had a 2000 amp service with UG feed into the pull section. They continued the service conductors up through the pull section and into Rigid conduit that fed up to another 2000 amp service on the 2nd floor which is the service with the meter/main. From the meter main it was bussed to separate sections that then dropped down to sections in the original gear.

Was the strangest setup and I can't imagine someone setting 2000A gear without inspections. But I don't see how this didn’t violate 230.70, guess the code should be more specific [Linked Image]
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