Running electric out to Pole Barn Basics

[pattenp]

My honest answer is no, I would not run SER underground one reason is because of the ground being bare. The ground wire will oxidize and corrode even in the conduit and after a few years you won't have an EGC. After some time the conduit will collect water just from condensation and the cable will be laying in it. But asking me this is a mute point because I'll do what NEC requires for my safety and protection of my property.

 

[bbkmods]

Looking at the cable more closely, I do see that the ground isn't insulated like the other three. That's kind of dumb, whats up with that? lol I too want to protect my property and such, that's why I originally wanted to do everything by the book. But comparing the two cables.......hmmmm

Is the ground corrosion / oxidation (which I know IS necessary and important of course) the only failing element of running it underground that you can foresee happening? If it was, what would keep someone from running a separate URD ground along side the SER cable?

 

[pattenp]

Looking at the cable more closely, I do see that the ground isn't insulated like the other three. That's kind of dumb, whats up with that? lol I too want to protect my property and such, that's why I originally wanted to do everything by the book. But comparing the two cables.......hmmmm

Is the ground corrosion / oxidation (which I know IS necessary and important of course) the only failing element of running it underground that you can foresee happening? If it was, what would keep someone from running a separate URD ground along side the SER cable?

Nothing would keep you from doing this to get around the chance of the SER ground failing. But the install would still be non-compliant with code and the manufactures stated use. Have you heard of the saying "If a frog had wings it wouldn't bump its ***"? You need to **** it up and use the correct wire.

 

[bbkmods]

HaHa. I'll do it the right way, which I guess is the way NEC tells us to, instead of my common sense. But if I have to dig this cable up in a few years, I'm going to have to hunt down Mr. NEC and kick his ****.

 

[pattenp]

Damn, you can find a frog with wings but can't find the correct wire to run under ground.

All joking aside... if the wire you got has some deep nicks in it, even if they don't expose the conductor, you should consider taking it back to get some that is free from nicks. Mind you now.. that there will be some minor scrapes on the insulation. Be careful pulling the wire through the conduit so you don't cut the insulation.

 

[brewchief]

If your that worried about the URD then run it in conduit the whole way, if it failed in 30 years you could just pull new wire, no digging needed.

If it goes under any driveways run it in conduit there at least.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Read this thread with much interest as I would like to pick up the materials I need as well.... So to boil it down, what IS the correct wire to use....something that goes thru conduit from point A to B....On the garage 100A Sub I'll conduit right into the Load Center, on the house end I will be coming into the house 18" above the 200A Load Center there, and would be easiest to NOT have any conduit on the interior of the house.
Monkeying around with Junction boxes and splices is not something I'd like to do....why "create" points of failure is my thought.

 

[pattenp]

Spudland, there is no one wire type that can be run from panel to panel that includes running under ground that can be installed inside without being in conduit. You can install individual THHN/THWN wires or Mobile Home Feeder (MHF) which is a cable assembly from panel to panel but MHF needs to be in conduit at least inside of the structure. MHF can be direct buried. The THHN/THWN needs conduit the whole way A to B.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

This is 2-2-2-4 that I bought at Home Depot some time ago. Look closely, the markings are difficult to read.

Southwire product sheet for AL RHH/RHW-2/USE-2

and product sheet for Mobile Home Feeder which is three or four of the above RHH/RHW-2/USE-2 spiraled together.

Charles

 

[mrobins297aaa]

Just curious if you can't come into the house with the urd, wouldn't it apply to where he enters the barn also? wouldn't he have to put a box and spice to ser before he entered the barn?.........I mean the wire don't know the difference between a house or barn if its not rated for inside its not rated for inside period.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Thanks PattenP…Makes sense why I was so confused. SOOOO, all that being said, it makes wire shopping a tad easier….so looking at this tech sheet:
http://www.southwire.com/ProductCatalog/XTEInterfaceServlet?contentKey=prodcatsheet236
I can use a liquid tight non-metallic conduit from where it enters my house to the panel (approx 36” long MAX) I its not that I couldnt ridgid conduit run, But because of the orientation of the floor joists, and panel, etc…I’m essentially coming up from the exterior, 8” inside then straight down, with minimal room to work in.….hence the reason it would have been nice to just end the conduit at the interior wall of the house.

Charles (in GA) - Yeah, I've seen that exact cable at both Lowes and HD here...thats what you would reccomend? Size wise its exactly what I'm shopping for after the advice given by a friend of a friend who is an electrician.

 

[pattenp]

Thanks PattenP…Makes sense why I was so confused. SOOOO, all that being said, it makes wire shopping a tad easier….so looking at this tech sheet:
http://www.southwire.com/ProductCatalog/XTEInterfaceServlet?contentKey=prodcatsheet236
I can use a liquid tight non-metallic conduit from where it enters my house to the panel (approx 36” long MAX) I its not that I couldnt ridgid conduit run, But because of the orientation of the floor joists, and panel, etc…I’m essentially coming up from the exterior, 8” inside then straight down, with minimal room to work in.….hence the reason it would have been nice to just end the conduit at the interior wall of the house.

Charles (in GA) - Yeah, I've seen that exact cable at both Lowes and HD here...thats what you would reccomend? Size wise its exactly what I'm shopping for after the advice given by a friend of a friend who is an electrician.

Gee.. Dave, that's the type wire I've suggesting using all along.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Gee.. Dave, that's the type wire I've suggesting using all along.

ROFL...Well I'm thick sometimes...Thanks for your patience!
AND was confused because both sell that type and the type with the sheath:
http://www.homedepot.com/buy/southw...er-service-entry-electrical-cable-312742.html

 

[pattenp]

ROFL...Well I'm thick sometimes...Thanks for your patience!
AND was confused because both sell that type and the type with the sheath:
http://www.homedepot.com/buy/southw...er-service-entry-electrical-cable-312742.html

The thing to remember is the SER cable you gave the link to can be used in wet locations above ground. It cannot be installed under ground in conduit.

 

[tojoski]

I don't get it, all the supply houses around here only carry MHF in 2-2-2-4, or 4/0-4/0-4/0-2/0..

I'm running 100A service approx 150ft and the former is way too small and the latter is way to big.. It's almost impossible to find 2/0-2/0-2/0-1.

I found 1 company that could order it, but they couldn't tell me what it's rating was. All they could tell me is that it is rated for underground or overhead.

 

[pattenp]

I don't get it, all the supply houses around here only carry MHF in 2-2-2-4, or 4/0-4/0-4/0-2/0..

I'm running 100A service approx 150ft and the former is way too small and the latter is way to big.. It's almost impossible to find 2/0-2/0-2/0-1.

I found 1 company that could order it, but they couldn't tell me what it's rating was. All they could tell me is that it is rated for underground or overhead.

The MHF is rated for direct bury. You can use something else if you put it in conduit.

Like this....
http://www.cable.alcan.com/CablePub...ILOY+FeederPlex+Type+XHHW2+with+No+Ground.htm