Service cable in conduit indoors?

[mikeyc.]

Hey guys, I'm running 2-2-2-4 Al. cable from my main to a subpanel in my detached garage. I have 2"conduit running underground from the subpanel to the house. I have the cable coming through my basement wall waiting to go to the main. Do I have to run the cable in conduit to the main box? It is an unfinished basement/cellar. Thanks for any help and I apologize if this has been asked.

Mike

 

[brewchief]

Do you have service cable or 4 individual wires? Service cable has a jacket around the wires and doesn't need to be in conduit indoors but is not allowed to be run underground. Individual wires bundled together like mhf can go underground but will need conduit indoors(and must bear certain markings as well).

 

[mikeyc.]

I have service cable that is rated for wet and underground use. It is able to be direct buried, but I ran conduit for safety. I thought that conduit may be required, but if not, it makes my job easier.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Sounds like u may have **** wire which isnt permitted to be inside.

What markings are on the cable?

Any color stripes?

 

[mikeyc.]

I bought the cable at Lowes. Printing on the cable says 3 CDR AWG 2,1 CDR AWG 4,Type SE cable,SER type XHHW-2 CDRS. No color stripes. All 4 wires in gray jacket. Thanks for your help.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Bummer. That is SER and CANNOT be ran underground!

Who told u it was rated for underground use?

Its not.

U will have to pull it out and start over.

I would use #2 AL MHF which IS rated for underground use but needs to be in conduit indoors. U could transition to the SER in a junction box to avoid conduit use inside..

 

[pattenp]

If it is SER gray jacketed cable it is not, I repeat "Not" allowed underground. It is allowed in wet areas above ground only. For inside install it is not required to be in conduit other than if needed for protection.

See this ... http://www.southwire.com/ProductCatalog/XTEInterfaceServlet?contentKey=prodcatsheet273

One reason it can't go underground is the ground conductor is bare not having the rated insulation for underground installation.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

To add, the EGC will turn into a toothpaste mushy substance.

 

[Rusty Bumper]

I just made that mistake, running SER underground in conduit. I pulled it out from underground but left the run in the house. I put a 8x8 junction box in place of the LB and made my splice to four correct USE wires. Those USE wires run in conduit until they terminate in the garage sub panel.
One nice thing about pulling a permit, the inspector makes sure you are doing your wiring correctly. ;-)
Rusty

 

[mikeyc.]

Well, that stings... Good news if there is any is I didn't pull it yet. I guess I'll have to get that from a supply house. Thanks for all the info guys. Any feelings on Lowe's letting me return it?

 

[mikeyc.]

I do have a permit. That's the kicker.
What's the best way,electrically, to run it? USE wire all the way with conduit inside, or use both types with the junction? Thanks again.

 

[pattenp]

USE is not allowed inside needs to be terminated outside. You need to use THHN/THWN or MHF if running from panel to panel in conduit.

 

[mikeyc.]

Is running panel to panel with MHF "better" than using a junction box? Any negatives to a junction box? It would make it easier for me, but I want to do the job right.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Is running panel to panel with MHF "better" than using a junction box? Any negatives to a junction box? It would make it easier for me, but I want to do the job right.

No real negative except you are going to need a large junction box. Use split bolts or Polaris connectors. (If you are using split bolts, buy some "quality" electricians tape like 3M 88. 2 wrappings.) Make sure the junction box is weatherproof and securely mounted to the building.

 

[pattenp]

As an example for my detached shop, I ran SER from the main panel to under the house to a junction box on the inside of the foundation wall in the crawl space and then switched to MHF in conduit to the sub-panel in the shop. I used the SER under the house to the main panel because it was a lot easier than running conduit. I used splice/reducers with shrink tubing for the splices.

But in another case I ran conduit and MHF from panel to panel because it was easy to do and I didn't have to mess with splicing. It just depends on what works best for you.

 

[mikeyc.]

Just got the correct wire. Using a junction box, then SER inside. Thanks for all the help guys.

 

[bczygan]

Just got the correct wire. Using a junction box, then SER inside. Thanks for all the help guys.

Did Lowes take the wire back?

 

[mikeyc.]

Yes. They said one time only. I told them I appreciated it greatly and I didn't make a habit of doing it.