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Joining 2" PVC to steel

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green.bubbly

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Lafayette, LA
POCO engineer came out and approved my meter location. Looked at where I need to run my underground service conduit and told me that due to the length of the run, I needed to use steel elbows.

Ignorant me assumed there was a pvc to steel coupling. HD and Lowes could only manage a head scratch. So is there such a product?

This house building project has been a big learning experience. I have not learned this much stuff since my first ******* magazine. :)
 
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Stuart in MN

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Minneapolis
Yes, they have PVC to rigid conduit adapter fittings. I would have expected HD and Lowes to have them in stock, but they're available at any electrical supply house.
 
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Naq

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Apr 2, 2010
Messages
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Location
SE PA
Its typical to use metallic elbows since that's where a lot of the pressure is on a long pull. How far do you have to go and what size wire/cable? They probably didn't know because the adapters are crazy expensive!

Adapter:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_115923-223-E942JR_4294821891+4294819245_4294937087_?productId=3467707&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_2_4294821891%2B4294819245_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=2

Usually thin wall EMT is not acceptable, did they specify? Rigid Elbow:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_2176-15527-02-55536PE_4294821891+4294819245_4294937087_?productId=3390604&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_2_4294821891%2B4294819245_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=2
 
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G

green.bubbly

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Stuart in MN said:
Yes, they have PVC to rigid conduit adapter fittings. I would have expected HD and Lowes to have them in stock, but they're available at any electrical supply house.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. They probably had what I needed in stock. They just had no clue what I actually needed.
 
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green.bubbly

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Naq said:
Its typical to use metallic elbows since that's where a lot of the pressure is on a long pull. How far do you have to go and what size wire/cable? They probably didn't know because the adapters are crazy expensive!

Adapter:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_115923-223-E942JR_4294821891+4294819245_4294937087_?productId=3467707&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_2_4294821891%2B4294819245_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=2

Usually thin wall EMT is not acceptable, did they specify? Rigid Elbow:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_2176-15527-02-55536PE_4294821891+4294819245_4294937087_?productId=3390604&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl_2_4294821891%2B4294819245_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=2
Click to expand...



I have just under 200 feet of eithe #1 or #2. The poco provides the service conductors. :) :)

He did not specify thin wall or rigid. When he said a steel elbow, I asked him if I needed a steel sweep and he said no, just a regular elbow.

But now that I know what kind of coupling I need I will go with rigid since it is already threaded and the thin wall is not. I only need two thankfully.


Thanks for your help and the links.
 
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Charles (in GA)

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50 mi south of Atlanta
It will have to be a sweep ell to get the cable thru, sounds like the guy didn't know what he was talking about. If he was the engineer, that may explain it. I had a POCO engineer give me all kinds of mis information, which the line crew straightened me out about when they were there.

Charles
 
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Norcal

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If the metallic sweeps are too close to the surface they will need to bonded, I think (But am not sure) if they have 24" of cover it will not be needed......... Code citations will be needed.
 
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G

green.bubbly

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Charles (in GA) said:
It will have to be a sweep ell to get the cable thru, sounds like the guy didn't know what he was talking about. If he was the engineer, that may explain it. I had a POCO engineer give me all kinds of mis information, which the line crew straightened me out about when they were there.

Charles
Click to expand...


This is from their residential guide which pretty much follows his requirements. Not sure if this is considered a sweep ell.


verbage.jpg




Norcal said:
If the metallic sweeps are too close to the surface they will need to bonded, I think (But am not sure) if they have 24" of cover it will not be needed......... Code citations will be needed.
Click to expand...


Trench depth must be 3 feet. With an 18" rigid elbow, I should have 24" of cover. I will probably trench a little deeper just to be sure.
 
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sberry

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Brethren, Michigan
I was wondering on how they would treat the bonding in this case, good thing to point out. In most cases plastic is the best thing they ever invent, reduces a lot of headache.
 
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Naq

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SE PA
sberry said:
I was wondering on how they would treat the bonding in this case, good thing to point out. In most cases plastic is the best thing they ever invent, reduces a lot of headache.
Click to expand...

You're right, and this is one of the exceptions. I ask for grounding bushings when the metallic sweeps stub up above grade.


NEC 250.80 Service Raceways and Enclosures
"Metal enclosures and raceways for service conductors and
equipment shall be connected to the grounded system conductor
if the electrical system is grounded or to the grounding
electrode conductor for electrical systems that are not
grounded.

Exception: A metal elbow that is installed in an underground
nonmetallic raceway and is isolated from possible contact by
a minimum cover of 450 mm (18 in.) to any part of the elbow
shall not be required to be connected to the grounded system
conductor or grounding electrode conductor.
The exception to 250.80 recognizes that metal sweep elbows
are often installed in underground installations of nonmetallic
conduit. The metal elbows are installed because nonmetallic
elbows can be damaged from the friction caused by
taut conductor pull lines or ropes rubbing against the interior
of the elbow throat. The elbows are isolated from physical
contact by burying the entire elbow at a depth not less than
18 in. below grade."
 
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Provincial

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Near Salem, OR
Our POCO allows the use of fiberglass sweeps for the larger/longer pulls instead of the metal ones. This avoids the need for grounding. You should ask your POCO if they will approve fiberglass for just that reason.

The sweeps need to be resistant to abrasion from the wire insulation during the pulling process. PVC will wear away with even minor rubbing from the insulation during pulling. Apparently, fiberglass has adequate abrasion resistance.

BTW, I strongly suggest requesting the POCO meet with you (preferably on-site) to review the project. Usually, the engineer they send will be able to modify their requirements to fit the "real world" situation that you have, as well as approve alternate options that they don't want to commit to in their published requirements.
 
Last edited:
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G

green.bubbly

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Lafayette, LA
Provincial said:
Our POCO allows the use of fiberglass sweeps for the larger/longer pulls instead of the metal ones. This avoids the need for grounding. You should ask your POCO if they will approve fiberglass for just that reason.

The sweeps need to be resistant to abrasion from the wire insulation during the pulling process. PVC will wear away with even minor rubbing from the insulation during pulling. Apparently, fiberglass has adequate abrasion resistance.

BTW, I strongly suggest requesting the POCO meet with you (preferably on-site) to review the project. Usually, the engineer they send will be able to modify their requirements to fit the "real world" situation that you have, as well as approve alternate options that they don't want to commit to in their published requirements.
Click to expand...

I will check with them on the FG sweeps. The line will be buried deep enough to cover the steel but I would think FB would outlast steel.

The POCO did come out to my location. I wanted him to verify that where I wanted my meter would be acceptable.
 
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PRH44

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Messages
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Location
Indiana
Provincial has a very good point. Meetings with the utility can solve alot of issues and clear up any confusion. Most enginners you will meet with will be very helpful and willing to explain exactly what they expect to see.

Good luck
 
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