Meter main/combo box to panel in home run

[fauxden]

Hello,

Looking for some advice.

I have a utility pole with my meter main on it (square d sc816d200c) that I rigged up and the utility connected. This is where my service disconnect is. I then have a another homeline square D 80 circuit 40 space 200 amp panel that will serve all the needs within the home. I have run 2'' schedule 40 pvc conduit underground in under the house into the crawl space. Here is where I am curious:

Plan is to pull 4/0 4/0 4/0 2/0 (Hot/hot/neutral/ground) in through the conduit.
Does it matter if I use thwn vs xhhw? Or is there an alternative? Was looking at mobile home feeder wire but can't find 4 wire version locally.

I was thinking of terminating the thwn/xhhw wires in a juction box in the crawl space and converting to SER and run that through joists up to my panel (15-30 feet maybe). Other option is to keep the thwn/xhhw going all the way to the panel. Problem with that is it would seem obnoxious to run the conduit through the crawl space. Any thoughts or errors you see with my plan?

 

[75gmck25]

I ran 2-2-2-4 AL SER through my basement ceiling to the back wall of my house, then installed a 12'x12' junction box to transition it to MHF using Polaris connectors, and ran the 2-2-2-4 AL MHF in 2" conduit to the garage. I am using a 60 amp breaker right now, but it could handle up to 90 amps.

I got the MHF from an online supplier, but managed to find SER locally for a decent price. Prices have gone up a lot, so you really need to shop around.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I ran 2-2-2-4 AL SER through my basement ceiling to the back wall of my house, then installed a 12'x12' junction box to transition it to MHF using Polaris connectors, and ran the 2-2-2-4 AL MHF in 2" conduit to the garage. I am using a 60 amp breaker right now, but it could handle up to 90 amps.

I got the MHF from an online supplier, but managed to find SER locally for a decent price. Prices have gone up a lot, so you really need to shop around.

I suspect OP wants 200a…

 

[mm08822]

Can you change the point of entry into the house to minimize the indoor conduit and make it a cleaner run inside?

I would stay in conduit the entire way to avoid j-box/splicing.

 

[fauxden]

Can you change the point of entry into the house to minimize the indoor conduit and make it a cleaner run inside?

I would stay in conduit the entire way to avoid j-box/splicing.

No. I’ve already wired the house. Home runs set etc. I’m leaning towards conduit the whole run now. Cheaper and less prone to error/splice problems. Curious if I’ll need schedule 80 or 40 in crawl space. Also what are the requirements for securing conduit I wonder. It will have to basically run 15-20 feet along the ground and then 90 up to panel. That’ll put 180 degrees in the run, down from meter main and up to panel.

 

[Innovate1]

I would say sch 40 would be fine in crawl space. 80 is only where, I think the phrase is, "subject to damage". Some places allow sch 40 for meter risers and such and other places require 80 so that depends on your local AHJ (authority having jurisdiction - the local code enforcement). It really all depends on local AHJ but I can't see where anyone would think a crawl space run needed 80.

Running conduit all the way vs. box and splice really depends on how difficult it will be to run the conduit.

 

[sparky 1971]

Sch 40 in the crawl space will be fine. 2" is supposed to be supported at least every five feet.

352.30 Securing and Supporting
PVC conduit shall be installed as a complete system as provided in 300.18 and shall be fastened so that movement from thermal expansion or contraction is permitted. PVC conduit shall be securely fastened and supported in accordance with 352.30(A) and (B).
Table 352.30 Support of Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit (PVC)

Conduit Size		Maximum Spacing Between Supports
Metric Designator	Trade Size		mm or m	ft
16—27	1/2—1		900 mm	3
35—53	11/4—2		1.5 m	5
63—78	21/2—3		1.8 m	6
91—129	31/2—5		2.1 m	7
155	6		2.5 m	8

 

[fauxden]

Sch 40 in the crawl space will be fine. 2" is supposed to be supported at least every five feet.

352.30 Securing and Supporting
PVC conduit shall be installed as a complete system as provided in 300.18 and shall be fastened so that movement from thermal expansion or contraction is permitted. PVC conduit shall be securely fastened and supported in accordance with 352.30(A) and (B).
Table 352.30 Support of Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit (PVC)

Metric Designator	Trade Size		mm or m	ft
Conduit Size		Maximum Spacing Between Supports
16—27	1/2—1		900 mm	3
35—53	11/4—2		1.5 m	5
63—78	21/2—3		1.8 m	6
91—129	31/2—5		2.1 m	7
155	6		2.5 m	8

So here’s the next question. I’d like to essentially run the conduit straight from where it comes into the house to the 90 where it will head to the panel. Obviously the ground is dirt. I thought maybe I’d throw a 2x6 borate treated stick of lumber on the ground and anchor to the earth and throw a ******** there. It’s about 21 foot to the 90

 

[sparky 1971]

So here’s the next question. I’d like to essentially run the conduit straight from where it comes into the house to the 90 where it will head to the panel. Obviously the ground is dirt. I thought maybe I’d throw a 2x6 borate treated stick of lumber on the ground and anchor to the earth and throw a ******** there. It’s about 21 foot to the 90

I don't see how that is much different than what is done across flat roofs. I have no issue with it since the likelihood of it getting damaged in a crawl space is pretty low.

 

[Innovate1]

So here’s the next question. I’d like to essentially run the conduit straight from where it comes into the house to the 90 where it will head to the panel. Obviously the ground is dirt. I thought maybe I’d throw a 2x6 borate treated stick of lumber on the ground and anchor to the earth and throw a ******** there. It’s about 21 foot to the 90

You have plastic sheeting on the ground in the crawl space? The conduit is almost on the ground in the crawl space so a 2x6 flat will support it? How far to the framing above? I think support to framing (joists) above is more common but don't see a problem with your plan. And it allows a big radius 90 which will make the pull easier.

 

[mike93lx]

It does not matter if you run thwn or xhhw. MHF is also fine

 

[fauxden]

You have plastic sheeting on the ground in the crawl space? The conduit is almost on the ground in the crawl space so a 2x6 flat will support it? How far to the framing above? I think support to framing (joists) above is more common but don't see a problem with your plan. And it allows a big radius 90 which will make the pull easier.

To the bottom of joist is only 3 foot or less. Problem is I’d have to essentially create an S to get up there and turn conduit to attach. Would put me at 360 for the pull, and make it quite hard. So along ground would be much easier. Yes to the vapor barrier.

 

[mike93lx]

To the bottom of joist is only 3 foot or less. Problem is I’d have to essentially create an S to get up there and turn conduit to attach. Would put me at 360 for the pull, and make it quite hard. So along ground would be much easier. Yes to the vapor barrier.

how about an LB instead of a 90?

 

[fauxden]

how about an LB instead of a 90?

That’s pretty good idea. How big of an lb would I need for that? I have a 2” currently. I guess I could fit it in that without too much hassle?

 

[mike93lx]

That’s pretty good idea. How big of an lb would I need for that? I have a 2” currently. I guess I could fit it in that without too much hassle?

they're sized for your conduit...I've never seen options otherwise

if you want more room, you can use a junction box that is at least 6x as long as the conduit diameter.

 

[fauxden]

they're sized for your conduit...I've never seen options otherwise

if you want more room, you can use a junction box that is at least 6x as long as the conduit diameter.

I’ll dry fit and see how it all looks. I also bought a 12x12 junction box just in case while planning this. Thanks for your help

 

[Innovate1]

how about an LB instead of a 90?

An LB is going to be a pain to feed that size wire through IMHO. With only two bends I would go with long sweeps ( I think 24" radius are common). No way I would be doing this with standard 90s.

 

[sparky 1971]

If an LB sounds like a good idea, use a 12X12X4 junction box instead. A 3' high crawl space sounds like the worst possible place for an LB. It's too high to lay on your back and fight the wires through, but at the same time, it's too low to work from the knees. If it were mine, I'd run the conduit on the ground, with supports and pull it through a 90, it doesn't have to be a big sweep, a regular box store 90 will be fine.

Edit: I posted without reading all of the comments, sounds like j-box has already been discussed.