ECN Forum Forums Photo Discussion Forums Photos for General Discussion SER Used In Commercial Buildings

Just some photos I took that I thought would spark some code debate.

I remember once seeing similar pics. I believe that technically speaking, that this is allowed.

That doesn't mean I like it. Heck, today I'll be under a firehouse, re-locating the panel feeds .... and I never considered SER as a wiring method. Commercial gets pipe ... and metal flex where necessary. Not romex, SER, smurf, or any other 'easy' way. Why? Who knows! It just seems right.

The pics are a good illustration of the difference between 'code minimum' and 'trade practice.'

It is in MA and was under the NEC until the prohibition against NM above suspended ceilings went into the NEC.



Isn't that a question best answered by the person paying for the work?



Perhaps a better illustration of the different methods used in different areas, this is trade practice in this area.

Pipe is almost never used above ceilings, MC is most common and when allowed NM / SE etc.

It's funny though.....the plumbers in MA can't use plastic in commercial work but I can run NM.

When I work in RI I can't use NM but the plumbers can use plastic.

Or what one might consider to be good practice even if not always common trade practice.

There's no specific ban here on using the British equivalent of NM cable in light commercial applications, although in many places where surface run neatness would dictate the use of plastic trunking.

In many cases though, in my opinion the amount of work involved in cutting and fitting rectangular PVC trunking and then laying NM cables exceeeds that needed to just run PVC conduit and pull singles through it. The conduit gives a much neater result anyway.

See this thread for an example.

A fair point taken ... defining 'trade practice' is a lot like capturing a moonbeam; you know it's there, but can't quite grab it

As for the customer making the call .... the customer only rarely has any input. He'll call and ask me for a price. I'll give one based upon how I plan to do the job. Only if he specifically asks will the discussion of wiring methods begin.

As I see it, the customer is paying for my judgment, as much as anything else (Scary thought, isn't it? ) Part of my 'professional judgment' in deciding how the job will be done.

I'll admit that my bias is rooted in age and tradition, as much as any 'logical' reason. Heck, when I need to trim a tree, I reach for the axe .... and not one of those new-fangled chainsaws

Can you get pictures of the electrical room? I love where all those SER's come out at the top of the wall. Here, they would have to come out individually spaced, or if bundled, in a sleeve, for firestopping. I've got to see this electrical room! Do you think they sleeve it in 1 1/2" PVC? Support it with 2-hole straps screwed down to 2x4's? Big black hvac zip-ties?

The suspense is killing me.