drilling drain holes in LB fitting

[Tarheel Slim]

I was told that LB fittings need a quarter inch drain hole,is this true and how can you drill the hole when the wire has has already been pulled through and the LB mounted to outside wall entering the house,its located 6 inch from the ground which i think it still ok with code.Going to be a pain to drill the drain hole now,any ideas??thanks.

 

[ard]

Told by whom?

 

[kd3pc]

I was an electrician for years, and my dad before me for 50...and I have never heard this one..I would check the source, or wait for one of the crowd with current NEC information to chime in.

Hoping to learn something about this.

 

[Cmreschke]

It's not a requirement so much as a good idea at times, depending on the installation.

 

[mm08822]

I've seen it many times and even with bell boxes, but not a practice I do. Shouldn't be needed if everything higher up is properly glued, made wrench-tite, drip legged properly, etc., as appropriate.

Technically it modifies a listed product.

1/8" would be plenty. 1/4" makes for a good nesting place.

Is there evidence of water now or a real possibility of water getting in? If no, leave it.

 

[dogdog]

Never had to drill any of mine , mounted horizontal or vertical, but I usually have at least more than 2 ft off the ground, the lowest ones. The cover have a rubber gasket and that is normally water tight if using that rubber gasket.... the threading are not water tight as in submerged for a long time..... but I think it'll hold rain on water.....

I know their threads are not tapered threads but will fit if you cut it with a NPT pipe cutter. Just never heard of drilling a drain holes on the LB it self...... If your LB is that low, drilling a drain hole might actually induce more water into the pipes when the water level exceed higher than your LB..... especially if you have a drain hole, it's not exactly a check valve.

 

[The Cobbler]

I have a hard time fathoming this idea since they have a gasketed cover, why would you compromise that?. also makes for a nice home for unwanteds...

 

[Tarheel Slim]

I know it sounds silly to drill a hole into an LB fitting but thats what i was told by an electrician who works in this area and was here on Monday,i have no plans to drill a hole into the LB,just seems pointless to drill into a sealed unit thats all.I think the hole works like a drain in case water does somehow make its way into the LB.

 

[mm08822]

Ocassionaly condensation can also accumulate as conduits enter a building and there is a delta t and even air flow through the conduit.

One reason service entrance conduits are supposed to be sealed-ductseal being the easiest.

 

[rburke65]

A drain hole?.....in a LB?.......really?.....41 years as an electrician n I have NEVER heard of a drain hole in a LB. If ya really need one, you have bigger issues.

 

[manwithtools]

I've never heard of such a thing either. Mainly industrial background for me, but have been wiring or engineering for 35 years or more as well. You are altering a UL listed device - this is not approved by NEC.

 

[Bert_]

I don't typically do it to LB's or other conduit bodies, but I almost always do it in bell boxes and motor terminal boxes, ect. anything similar that is outside.. It does not matter how well sealed your conduit system is water will get in, even condensation will do it. Water will pool in the bottom and rust the screws. Then when you try to take it apart the screws break, leaving you to either try to fix it or replace the box (Not usually easy).

I would have absolutely no problem drilling drain holes in any box or conduit body, I would encourage it. I think 1/4" is a bit large, stuff can crawl in through that size hole. One or two 1/8" holes will do the job.

 

[1969]

https://jadelearning.com/jadecc/courses/UNIVERSAL/NEC05.php?imDif=692.0

 

[mm08822]

https://jadelearning.com/jadecc/courses/UNIVERSAL/NEC05.php?imDif=692.0

Good find!!! Article 314.15 - it's in 2014 and 2017 NEC - not 2011.

 

[ddawg16]

I 'was' about to say "Then why to the LB caps have gaskets".....

But....in reference to the above link....it appears they are talking about boxes and not LB's. A box I could see.....but an LB?

 

[klassenl]

OP is in Canada. Thus CEC not NEC.
In Manitoba the province required a drain hole in an LB if it was a part of the service entrance.

 

[mm08822]

I 'was' about to say "Then why to the LB caps have gaskets".....

But....in reference to the above link....it appears they are talking about boxes and not LB's. A box I could see.....but an LB?

The only thing you can bank on from that link is the code article number and then you have to go to the code book. The link did mention conduit bodies and so does the NEC article.

 

[robinsoc]

From the OESC

6-312 Condensation in consumer’s service raceway
(1) The consumer’s service raceway entering a building shall be sealed and shall be suitably drained where it enters the building above grade level.

So yes a drain hole has to be drilled into the bottom of the LB.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I've seen and specified condensation drains in conduit systems under certain conditions, but it's not very common. Crows-Hinds makes breather fittings for conduit, which is another option: http://www.cooperindustries.com/con...ands/conduit-unions/breathers_and_drains.html

 

[Marctrees]

Absolutely need to DRILL a hole ????

Silly.

If you want a drain, cut a quick V notch with a hacksaw blade where the cover seats.

Or call in an Engineering Firm. Marc

 

[ddawg16]

Absolutely need to DRILL a hole ????

Silly.

If you want a drain, cut a quick V notch with a hacksaw blade where the cover seats.

Or call in an Engineering Firm. Marc

Or fix the moisture problem

 

[Marctrees]

Ya, I think the answer here is the hiring of the finest Engineering company for consultation.



Marc

 

[Marctrees]

I was told that LB fittings need a quarter inch drain hole,is this true and how can you drill the hole when the wire has has already been pulled through and the LB mounted to outside wall entering the house,its located 6 inch from the ground which i think it still ok with code.Going to be a pain to drill the drain hole now,any ideas??thanks.

"A pain to drill"

????????????????????

It's called controlling your hands.

If your IPhone has "apps", you would not understand. Marc

 

[dogdog]

https://jadelearning.com/jadecc/courses/UNIVERSAL/NEC05.php?imDif=692.0

there is a differences between allowing you to when your situation needs and requiring you to.

 

[mm08822]

Absolutely need to DRILL a hole ????

Silly.

If you want a drain, cut a quick V notch with a hacksaw blade where the cover seats.

Or call in an Engineering Firm. Marc

or.... +

automatic drain is an option too.

 

[RayBob58]

I've never heard of drilling an LB, but I have heard of putting a drain hole in the lowest point of underground conduit.

 

[mm08822]

I've never heard of drilling an LB, but I have heard of putting a drain hole in the lowest point of underground conduit.

do you have a basement with a sump pump by chance?

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

I've never heard of drilling an LB, but I have heard of putting a drain hole in the lowest point of underground conduit.

Sounds like a good place for ground water to enter the pipe to me anyway.

 

[Dagny]

Use your head most of the time a drain isn't needed. I have just cut a chunk out of the gasket on the bottom of the box or fitting.

 

[grantw]

found on reddit /r/ techsupportgore

https://fat.gfycat.com/FoolhardyGrandApatosaur.webm

 

[nsula_country]

Never drilled an LB, but usually drill 1 or 2 (1/8") to (3/16") holes in cast bell boxes. Its humid in the south!

CT

 

[alfredeneuman]

"Drainage openings shall be permitted to be installed in the field in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions."
I've got to wonder how many manufacturers of conduit bodies such as LBs will include those instructions

 

[rburke65]

mm08822....that's funny!

 

[mm08822]

"Drainage openings shall be permitted to be installed in the field in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions."
I've got to wonder how many manufacturers of conduit bodies such as LBs will include those instructions

Article 314.15 now gives the green light to a field modification, so I don't think mfr instructions matter so much.

 

[alfredeneuman]

That's taken verbatim from the text of 314.15 so the mfrs instructions DO make a difference

 

[mm08822]

That's taken verbatim from the text of 314.15 so the mfrs instructions DO make a difference

No, it says you can pop up to 1/4" holes in boxes or conduit bodies. Then it says you can go larger if you have mfr provided hardware/instructions.

If 1/4" hole doesn't fix your problem, you got problems.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Could you please point out the reference to 1/4"?


314.15 Damp or Wet Locations. In damp or wet locations, boxes, conduit bodies, and fittings shall be placed or equipped so as to prevent moisture from entering or accumulating within the box, conduit body, or fitting. Drainage openings shall be permitted to be installed in the field in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Boxes, conduit bodies, outlet box hoods, and fittings installed in wet locations shall be listed for use in wet locations. [ROP 9–35, ROP 9–33]
Informational Note No. 1: For boxes in floors, see 314.27(B).
Informational Note No. 2: For protection against corrosion, see 300.6.

 

[mm08822]

Could you please point out the reference to 1/4"?


314.15 Damp or Wet Locations. In damp or wet locations, boxes, conduit bodies, and fittings shall be placed or equipped so as to prevent moisture from entering or accumulating within the box, conduit body, or fitting. Drainage openings shall be permitted to be installed in the field in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Boxes, conduit bodies, outlet box hoods, and fittings installed in wet locations shall be listed for use in wet locations. [ROP 9–35, ROP 9–33]
Informational Note No. 1: For boxes in floors, see 314.27(B).
Informational Note No. 2: For protection against corrosion, see 300.6.

Sure... 2014 1/4" and 2017 1/8 - 1/4"


What are you referencing?

 

[Norcal]

Sure... 2014 1/4" and 2017 1/8 - 1/4"


What are you referencing?

Are you using the NEC Handbook? The handbook is just the opinion of the author(s).

 

[Marctrees]

Yet another OC Rabbit Hole.

Punch/ cut somekinda drain, put in the Ductseal if appropriate, and move on. Marc