How many know what the U stands for in SEU cable?
No answers, just yay or nay.
Hint: It was used to distinguish SEU from ASE (ASE is something that I've only seen a picture of).
Let's go old-timers!

I don't know, all I've ever heard was rumor & propaganda. I assume you'll let us know the correct answer if no one gets it.

Tom

[This message has been edited by Tom (edited 10-27-2001).]

Redsy,
I was under the assumption ( check first three letters, ah yes that's him...)
that SEU meant U shaped, and SER meant rounded shape....

Sparky,
Can you explain the U-shape?

Hmm, nevermind .. (I think)

Bill

[This message has been edited by Bill Addiss (edited 10-27-2001).]

Keep it coming, guys.
Sparky, I also still think that SER stands for ROUND. That is why I was confused about the U. I never thought of the shape as being U-shaped.
I have a not-too-old book (1988?) by Joe McPartland that discusses SEU v. ASE.
I'll reveal what I know tomorrow.

Really? I have always used the "R = round" as a mnenomic to remember, but I didn't know it really meant "round"...

Well, whaddya know!

.

[This message has been edited by Joe Tedesco (edited 11-10-2001).]

I have an idea......could the U in SEU stand for "Unilay"?
Also found a paragraph that stated what SER was "known as" here:
http://www.homestore.com/home_improvement/howtoguides/CreativeInstallingKitchenRangeReceptacle.asp
Thanks, Tiff

This category of cable is called service entrance round (SER)

( from your link Tiff..)

Tiff,

"Unilay"? (huh?) what's that?


Bill

Drum roll, please...
McGraw-Hill's 1990 NEC Handbook, by Joseph & Brian McPartland explain:
Figure 338-1 shows 2 basic types of service-entrance cable for above ground use. The one without the armor over the conductors is referred to as "Type SE style U" - the letter U standing for "unarmored." That cable is sometimes designated as "Type SEU." The cable assembly with the armor is designated as "Type ASE" cable, with the "A" standing for "armored."
Note- figure 338-1 shows a side by side comparison of the layers of each cable. The ASE has an additional layer of flat, steel armor wrapped over the concentric neutral.

The book also explains that the R in SER stands for Round.

Redsy,

Oh Yeah, I knew that, but I wasn't allowed to play. It was only for "old-timers"


Bill

Unarmored!
I would never have guessed.

unilay: Cable with more than one layer of conductors with direction of lay and lay length the same for all layers.

I thought she got it with that one! (without my help too!)

"unarmored", though... OK...

Golly, guys.
I don't think I've ever seen any...of either type!! (and I think I qualify as an old f**t)

Electure,

You don't use SEU cable for services out by you? What is used for Residential (non-conduit) Services?

Bill

Redsy sent this picture over: