Supply house sold me the wrong wire

[OptionalStop]

Last spring I bought the service wire for my new building which I specified I needed 2-2-2-4 MHF. Well they sold me URD cable instead which as 3 black and 1 black with white stripe. This is rated for direct bury but not to go inside the structures. Is my only option to mount junction boxes on the outsides of each building to transition to the proper wire to go inside? Pretty pissed they sold me the wrong wire when I specified, but I should have known better and was just in a hurry. My URD cable is already buried and installed so I just need to dig up at each building.

 

[SGKent]

look at the receipt and see what it says they sold and what they shipped. Then call them and see if they will exchange and bill you the difference.

 

[Aceman]

Read the markings on the side of the URD.

The stuff they sell over is here is Alcan cable brand and it carries the RHH, RHW, etc markings on it which allow it to enter a structure.

 

[readhead]

To be fair, you left with the wrong wire. Sounds like there is an easy solution.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Is my only option to mount junction boxes on the outsides of each building to transition to the proper wire to go inside?

The only option I can see (besides the boxes) is to use an outside disconnect on the building you're planning on and make the transition there.
The 'future' 2020 Code will require them anyway.
You're pretty much stuck with a box for the transition on the existing building.

 

[larry4406]

The only option I can see (besides the boxes) is to use an outside disconnect on the building you're planning on and make the transition there.
The 'future' 2020 Code will require them anyway.
You're pretty much stuck with a box for the transition on the existing building.

OP said the URD is already buried so he is committed...

Sounds like he is also committed now to junction boxes for the transitions.

 

[OptionalStop]

Yes, if this doesn't pass inspection I will have to install boxes. However I talked to 2 licensed electricians this morning and they said this cable is OK to run inside conduit in the buildings.

 

[slow]

honest question, would an LB on the outside of the structure going into the back of the panel be a violation? Or would that still be considered "inside the structure"

 

[mike93lx]

honest question, would an LB on the outside of the structure going into the back of the panel be a violation? Or would that still be considered "inside the structure"

How wouldn't that be inside the building? Of course it is.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

honest question, would an LB on the outside of the structure going into the back of the panel be a violation? Or would that still be considered "inside the structure"

And LB cannot be used for splicing so thus the cable would end up going inside the building.

 

[rlitman]

And LB cannot be used for splicing so thus the cable would end up going inside the building.

Well, LBs nowadays are marked in cubic inches, but with the size of the conductors in question, yeah, a splice is out of the question in one.

 

[nh_yota]

If you run it up the outside wall through conduit and straight into the back of the panel using an LB then I think you would be okay. Running it through the walls is a different story. Of course it really depends on how picky the local inspector will be.

 

[slow]

That's what I figured, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Thanks

 

[mike93lx]

The pickiness of the inspector doesn't matter. It is either to code or not.

You may skate by but that doesn't make it right. Any the position your insurance company takes may differ from the inspector's opinion

 

[Jim greengo]

Theres a reason most supply houses only want to deal with contractors.

 

[cybrdyke]

Supply houses in my region dont carry MHF at all. If you ask for 2-2-2-4, you're gonna get URD.

 

[mm08822]

OP, did you double-check the marking on the conductors?

USE comes in 2 flavors - single rated and triple rated.

Here is the details on triple rated USE cable. Triple rated permits interior use while a straight single rating of USE only is not permitted inside.

http://www.stabiloy.com/NR/rdonlyre...1-8AEF294E0295/0/BW0015ASTABILOYBrandUSE2.pdf

General Cable seems to offer only triple rated USE while Southwire offers single and triple rated.

 

[OptionalStop]

OP, did you double-check the marking on the conductors?

USE comes in 2 flavors - single rated and triple rated.

Here is the details on triple rated USE cable. Triple rated permits interior use while a straight single rating of USE only is not permitted inside.

http://www.stabiloy.com/NR/rdonlyre...1-8AEF294E0295/0/BW0015ASTABILOYBrandUSE2.pdf

General Cable seems to offer only triple rated USE while Southwire offers single and triple rated.

My wire only has USE-2 marking on it, RHH RHW-2 is not there. So, I will have to install boxes outside both buildings. Not exactly thrilled about this.

 

[mike93lx]

Talk to the supply house. Maybe they will help on the cost of boxes and connectors

 

[alfredeneuman]

OP said the URD is already buried so he is committed...

Sounds like he is also committed now to junction boxes for the transitions.

He also said
"My URD cable is already buried and installed so I just need to dig up at each building."

 

[Bretny]

I had a similar situation with a local supply house. I measured out the wire i needed and tripple checked everything then added 10ft extra. I get digging and installing my service for my garage and the guy shorted me 25ft. It had to be backfilled that day so i had no choice but to use it. Went back and they guy basicly threw the piece at me and told me to get out. No connectors or anything. Il buy my wire from home depot now.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I had a similar situation with a local supply house. I measured out the wire i needed and tripple checked everything then added 10ft extra. I get digging and installing my service for my garage and the guy shorted me 25ft. It had to be backfilled that day so i had no choice but to use it. Went back and they guy basicly threw the piece at me and told me to get out. No connectors or anything. Il buy my wire from home depot now.

If you gave them the correct footage and they shorted you then it’s on them to give you the new piece of wire at the correct length

 

[mike93lx]

If you gave them the correct footage and they shorted you then it’s on them to give you the new piece of wire at the correct length

But what are you really going to have done about it? They aren't going to redig the trench. Sure, you could take them to small claims court...

 

[Jim greengo]

If you gave them the correct footage and they shorted you then it’s on them to give you the new piece of wire at the correct length

What he said.

 

[alfredeneuman]

I had a similar situation with a local supply house. I measured out the wire i needed and tripple checked everything then added 10ft extra. I get digging and installing my service for my garage and the guy shorted me 25ft. It had to be backfilled that day so i had no choice but to use it. Went back and they guy basicly threw the piece at me and told me to get out. No connectors or anything.

I would have asked you to return the wire they gave you as proof of their mistake. Did you return the old connectors and not receive any back?

 

[Git]

Theres a reason most supply houses only want to deal with contractors.

Ya, cause there is no such thing as a shady, hack contractor - right?

 

[alfredeneuman]

Ya, cause there is no such thing as a shady, hack contractor - right?

That's not the reason. Contractors know what they want and they specify, often by the part #.

DIYs often don't know, and they expect the counterman to know exactly what they need. If they don't understand the terms, or use the wrong terms (ie: a plug vs a receptacle) they waste the counterman's time.

 

[Jim greengo]

Ya, cause there is no such thing as a shady, hack contractor - right?

Theres my groupie,bashing contractors again.

 

[Jim greengo]

That's not the reason. Contractors know what they want and they specify, often by the part #.

DIYs often don't know, and they expect the counterman to know exactly what they need. If they don't understand the terms, or use the wrong terms (ie: a plug vs a receptacle) they waste the counterman's time.

And theres your answer.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

that's not the reason. Contractors know what they want and they specify, often by the part #.

Diys often don't know, and they expect the counterman to know exactly what they need. If they don't understand the terms, or use the wrong terms (ie: A plug vs a receptacle) they waste the counterman's time.

bingo!

 

[Git]

Theres my groupie,bashing contractors again.

LMAO

Aren't you the guy whose main contribution to this forum is to post a reply to everything with just a 'spit' smiley?

 

[Jim greengo]

LMAO

Aren't you the guy whose main contribution to this forum is to post a reply to everything with just a 'spit' smiley?

Maybe if youd get out of my free parking once in a while youd notice I contribute a lot more than you.