ECN Forum Forums Code Related Discussion NEC & other Code issues PVC Wet location??

I hdd a subpanel feed about 60 feet under ground in PVC. Inspector did not pass because the 2-3 that was pulled through the PVC not wet location rated. Is the inside of the PVC wet location??

Edward

Edward, from the 99 NEC Article 100-Locations- "Wet Locations. Installations underground or in concrete slabs or masonry in direct contact with the earth, and locations subject to saturation with water or other liquids, such as vehicle washing areas, and locations exposed to weather and unprotected."
If it's in the ground, it's a wet location.

From the 2002 NEC


And the definition of Wet location is the same as stamcom put up from the 99 code.

Edward
Alot of the conductors today come with a THHN/THWN rating, where the rating of the conductor is 90 degrees (column 3, table 310.16) if you use it as THHN, or 75 degrees (column 2, table 310.16) if you use it for THWN. The THWN is permitted for wet locations at 75 degrees. I am curious as to what conductor type you did use?

Pierre

To add to comments already posted… In many regions, underground raceways breath and accumulate moisture, no matter how much “sealing” is attempted. If “2-3” is a multiconductor cable, it’s unlikely that the individual conductors (or the outer cable jacket) are labeled for wet locations—like you would find with XHHW or USE/RHW conductors.

The only way to keep water out of any conduit
with fitttings underground is to pressurize it. I live in dallas,tx and have never pulled wire out of an exsiting conduit underground that was not completely full of water.