SE Cable in Conduit

[central1ny]

I am running 4/0-4/0-4/0 AL service entrance cable from my new meter through 2" PVC conduit about 1 foot down the side of the house to an LB conduit body and then into the basement.

My current installation has the SE cable exit the PVC pipe at the rim joist and then run across the sill plate into the panel. For the new cable, I would like to use 2" PVC pipe from the LB conduit body to the new panel. Due to mounting locations of the meter socket and panel, this will require using (2) 2" sweeps. The sweeps have a 12" radius. Two questions:

#1) Is there any code issues with running the SE cable in PVC in the house?
#2) Is going through (2) 2" sweeps with bend radius of 12" acceptable?

 

[Aceman]

Trying to stuff 4/0 SE cable into a 2" LB isn't going to work. You need individual conductors, something like XHHW or USE/RHW, etc.

Second, you need to open the LB and read the max number and size of conductors before you buy one. You may need to step up to 2 1/2", I honestly can't remember if 2" works or not.

Third, you need to verify with your inspector/building dept. that pvc is allowed for service entrance conductors. I realize it's existing but people do all sorts of crazy stuff back in the day that wasn't allowed. Making assumptions that it was legal when it was installed back then doesn't mean it is now. Some places only accept rigid conduit when unfused conductors are passing through a structure. Plus a lot of jurisdictions only allow a certain length of unfused service conductor to pass through a building. Something else to ask your building dept.

 

[central1ny]

Trying to stuff 4/0 SE cable into a 2" LB isn't going to work. You need individual conductors, something like XHHW or USE/RHW, etc.

Question: Does this have to do with bend radius? I calculated the area of the 4/0 cable assembly and it is well below the fill requirements in Table 4 of the NEC for > 2 wires in 2" PVC conduit

Second, you need to open the LB and read the max number and size of conductors before you buy one. You may need to step up to 2 1/2", I honestly can't remember if 2" works or not.

****, did not realize that. Just opened the 2" LB conduit body that I bought and I think it is the wrong p/n model for 4/0. The LB body is a Carlon and according to their website the 2" LB conduit body is only good for (3) 3/0 conductors. The 2 1/2" conduit body is good for up to (3) conductors at a 300MCM size, which is larger than 4/0. Guess I am going back to Home Depot for an upgrade. Oh well. Thanks for the help. That would have been a failed inspection for sure.

 

[central1ny]

I found a 2 1/2" LB conduit body but the thing is monsterous. What are other options for running wire from meter to panel apart from using an LB conduit body? I assume that 200A service is very common so there must be a standard practice. While driving around, I dont see any houses that have a huge conduit body sticking off the side of there house so there must be some other way to install the cable.

 

[Aceman]

I don't know anything smaller than an LB that would work, a j-box will certainly be bigger.

I've seen pics in some jurisdictions where they're allowed to run SE cable right out of the bottom of the meterbase, down the outside wall and into the house. We'd never get away with that here, plus I personally don't like unfused service conductor that isn't in conduit but I have seen some places that allow it.

Your inspector should be able to answer some of your questions...

 

[central1ny]

I could eat the cost of the Aluminum SE cable and just buy 2/0 copper SE cable and then go back to the 2" LB conduit body. Is there any problem with this apart from cost?

 

[Aceman]

If you're willing to use copper, I'd use individual conductors. Since you're running conduit the whole way, I really don't see the reason for using SE cable? Individual conductors are going to be much easier to tuck into that LB....