URD Cable

[wolverine22391]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwir...briar-URD-Wire-By-the-Foot-55418499/205001902

Http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdfImages/0c/0ca6c9f3-d9d7-43b3-8fcd-7e9e8c199bec.pdf

hello everyone. I have found this wire, and was curious if I am able to use it indoors also. I have found mixed results online from people saying yes as long as it's in conduit, and also no due to it not being listed in current next code. I have tried to look up the code, but have gotten stuck at having to buy a book on next codes. I am wanting to move my interior panel from one side of the basement to the other for simplicity and cost reasons. The wire will be starting outside at the meter, and will end up inside going about 40 feet. If I am able to use it inside what would be the best choice for conduit, PVC, or metal? Thanks in advance for your help Andrew



Panel is a 200 amp service running a total of 50 feet from meter to panel.
Also can I get away with using 2" conduit?

 

[sberry]

You may need another service disconnect for this.

 

[wolverine22391]

You may need another service disconnect for this.

Are you talking about right after the meter before the panel? As of now there is just the current line from meter to panel with no disconnect in between.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Southwir...briar-URD-Wire-By-the-Foot-55418499/205001902

Http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdfImages/0c/0ca6c9f3-d9d7-43b3-8fcd-7e9e8c199bec.pdf

hello everyone. I have found this wire, and was curious if I am able to use it indoors also. I have found mixed results online from people saying yes as long as it's in conduit, and also no due to it not being listed in current next code. I have tried to look up the code, but have gotten stuck at having to buy a book on next codes. I am wanting to move my interior panel from one side of the basement to the other for simplicity and cost reasons. The wire will be starting outside at the meter, and will end up inside going about 40 feet. If I am able to use it inside what would be the best choice for conduit, PVC, or metal? Thanks in advance for your help Andrew



Panel is a 200 amp service running a total of 50 feet from meter to panel.
Also can I get away with using 2" conduit?

There is confusion on whether code allows URD inside or not because many inspectors allow it despite code not allowing it due to the fact that the insulation is NOT fire resistant rated.

There is a simpler solution for running service wire indoors and that is SER cable. Its installed in the same manner as NM-b cable(Romex) and likewise doesnt need to be in conduit as long as its not subject to damage.

For a 200a service for a dwelling, u will need 4/0 AL SER or 2/0 CU SER.

DO u only have a meter/no disconnect on the outside of the house?

The reason i ask is while NEC code doesnt have a limit, many local AHJs have amendments that limit the length of unfused service wire inside buildings, many being 7' or less.

Having 50' of unfused service wire, IMHO is a bad idea. Consider installing a disconnect between the meter and the main service panel.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Are you talking about right after the meter before the panel? As of now there is just the current line from meter to panel with no disconnect in between.

I think he is referring to what i posted above about limits on unfused service wire.

 

[pattenp]

URD cable has only a USE-2 rated insulation and needs to stay outside of the structure because USE insulation does not have flame retardant. NEC 338.12(B)(1) and NEC Table 310.104(A) for USE.

 

[sberry]

I don't think they worry so much about the amount of unfused wire but don't want to play hide the panel. It says something to the effect about after entering the structure, not sure if 7 ft is a magic number but they want to have some idea where the disconnect may be within a structure.

 

[theoldwizard1]

You may need another service disconnect for this.

There is confusion on whether code allows URD inside or not because many inspectors allow it despite code not allowing it due to the fact that the insulation is NOT fire resistant rated.
.
.
.
... many local AHJs have amendments that limit the length of unfused service wire inside buildings, many being 7' or less.

Having 50' of unfused service wire, IMHO is a bad idea. Consider installing a disconnect between the meter and the main service panel.

The obvious place to install the disconnect is where the current panel is. I can be as simple as an un-switched 200A fused disconnect, but this will be where ground and neutral are bonded. This means you need 4 wires to your new panel location.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I don't think they worry so much about the amount of unfused wire but don't want to play hide the panel. It says something to the effect about after entering the structure, not sure if 7 ft is a magic number but they want to have some idea where the disconnect may be within a structure.

Actually they do worry about how much unfused wire there is thats why there are AHJs with local amendments that limit the length.

The length varies by AHJ.

If it was for the reason of wanting to know where the disconnect is what would be the point in that? The fire department is the only entity i can think of that would want to know this but then the fire department is NOT gonna go inside a burning structure to shut the power off, they will pull the meter or wait for PoCo to cut the drop.

And panels arent allowed to be installed in closets which is the only place i can think of that would hide a panel.

 

[sberry]

Whats the difference, 3 ft of wire, 10 ft? They want to know where the panel is in a structure. If there wasn't a rule it could be in any room anywhere in the place and be a game of hide and seek.

 

[sberry]

Actually they do worry about how much unfused wire there is thats why there are AHJs with local amendments that limit the length.

The length varies by AHJ.

Does anyone have a local amendment refers to this? There may be one, never seen it, been in a couple states.

 

[wolverine22391]

URD cable has only a USE-2 rated insulation and needs to stay outside of the structure because USE insulation does not have flame retardant. NEC 338.12(B)(1) and NEC Table 310.104(A) for USE.

Thank you this clears things up

The obvious place to install the disconnect is where the current panel is. I can be as simple as an un-switched 200A fused disconnect, but this will be where ground and neutral are bonded. This means you need 4 wires to your new panel location.

That's good and unfortunate about it needing to be 4 wires due to disconnect.

There is confusion on whether code allows URD inside or not because many inspectors allow it despite code not allowing it due to the fact that the insulation is NOT fire resistant rated.

There is a simpler solution for running service wire indoors and that is SER cable. Its installed in the same manner as NM-b cable(Romex) and likewise doesnt need to be in conduit as long as its not subject to damage.

For a 200a service for a dwelling, u will need 4/0 AL SER or 2/0 CU SER.

DO u only have a meter/no disconnect on the outside of the house?

The reason i ask is while NEC code doesnt have a limit, many local AHJs have amendments that limit the length of unfused service wire inside buildings, many being 7' or less.

Having 50' of unfused service wire, IMHO is a bad idea. Consider installing a disconnect between the meter and the main service panel.

Thank you for the help, I am going to end up spending a little more and get a 4 wire ser cable, and add the disconnect.


Thank you guys, learning a lot. Any more info is welcomed.

 

[sberry]

I don't recall if it says fused or simply disconnect. My neighbor did this, his nephew is a journeyman works for a contractor and had it turned down due to this, They they buy one 2 pole was as much as one with 8 spaces and feed thru, would have save a bunch of work where they backtracked for the well and some outbuildings.
Its all legal and works but poor design to start with to some extent and a guy passes journeyman should really know better.
When its located "somewhere" in the place one doesn't know the route, locations of it, couple of reasons to want a disconnect and fusing it cant hurt.