URD In Conduit
- Thread starter Wrench507
- Start date
Charles (in GA)
Well-known member
URD cannot enter the building, so conduit or not, it cannot go to the panel if the panel is inside the building. You would need to put a junction OUTSIDE the building and transition to something else to the panel.
Charles
Charles
pattenp
Well-known member
URD is a direct bury cable and does not need to be in conduit other than where exposed above earth. And as Charles stated it cannot be run inside of a structure, the reason being, is URD does not have fire resistant rated insulation.
pattenp
Well-known member
URD is a USE only rated cable. USE cable - 2011 NEC 338.12 (B) Uses not permitted. (1) For interior wiring.
Look at the insulation and check the markings. If marked with just a USE or USE-2 then it cannot be inside. It the wire also has the RWH or RWH-2 then it can be inside.
Speedy Petey
Well-known member
EVERY inspector I have EVER encountered has allowed URD to enter a panel. Even a few feet into a building.
Sure it does enter the building partially, but I guess in their opinion, and obviously mine, this is not "interior wiring".
pattenp
Well-known member
All I can say is to be NEC compliant, USE is to be terminated outside of the structure.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Yeah, really. After all, that's what we base all of our work and what type of materials on.
Speedy Petey
Well-known member
I disagree.
If they meant the conductors are not to enter the structure at all they would say so. They would have worded it something like "Not to be used within a structure" or something similar.
Bringing in service entrance conductors or feeders a few feet into a building is NOT "interior wiring".
This is a classic interpretation issue and I interpret it different than you.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Ok, so what is the exact wording. I don't have my book with me.
Speedy Petey
Well-known member
I don't own a code book. I just do what the inspector tells me to.
pattenp
Well-known member
USE is not allowed in the structure, period.
NEC 338.12 Uses not permitted (B) USE - (2) For above ground installations except where USE cable emerges from the ground and is terminated in an enclosure at an outside location and the cable is protected in accordance with 300.5(D).
NEC 338.12 Uses not permitted (B) USE - (2) For above ground installations except where USE cable emerges from the ground and is terminated in an enclosure at an outside location and the cable is protected in accordance with 300.5(D).
Last edited:
Speedy Petey
Well-known member
Check with your inspector, I bet he tells you it's fine.
pattenp
Well-known member
Been there and done that with our county electrical inspector and was told USE was not to enter the building.
Speedy Petey
Well-known member
Please note who I was replying to.
pattenp
Well-known member
I know who you were replying to, I was just stating my experience. Sheez lighten up.
Speedy Petey
Well-known member
So sorry. It looked like you were posting in reply.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
I don't own a code book. I just do what the inspector tells me to.
What I find interesting about this and the comments following is that sometimes you're quoted as saying this or that is required by code or not required by code. Then u say u don't own a code book and just follow what the inspector tells you to do. So if an inspector told u to do something that's not code how do u know its not and how do u show them without a code book if you just follow what the inspector tells u to do? Seems contradictory to me!
You've also said that you bet an inspector would allow USE inside and check with them even though code does not allow it. You even argued with the code but admitted that u don't have a code book to check and see what it says. Then pattenp posted the code and u still insisted that the OPs inspector might still allow it. This seems inconsistent. We should either follow code all the time or not. And I've noticed inspectors don't follow code all the time either which is annoying!
Speedy Petey
Well-known member
It's called sarcasm boys. I own about four current code books and many older versions, plus UL White Book and links to hundreds of local codes in other areas.
IMO this IS NOT a black and white case of code legal or not. It is open to interpretation. EVERYONE in my area uses URD for service entrance when conduit is used. And EVERY inspector allows it, from several different firms.
If this bothers so many of you then I suggest you call the NYS board of electrical whatever and complain.
IMO this IS NOT a black and white case of code legal or not. It is open to interpretation. EVERYONE in my area uses URD for service entrance when conduit is used. And EVERY inspector allows it, from several different firms.
If this bothers so many of you then I suggest you call the NYS board of electrical whatever and complain.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Your sarcasm was not stated nor implied! So we thought u were serious! Every inspector I've talked to or dealt with has said no! So go figure! I'm not in NY so I won't go there. I guess if we wanted, we could break down the words to try and come up with a black and white interpretation!
Aceman
Well-known member
I shouldn't be the one to tell you, but just because an inspector doesn't call you on it doesn't make it "code" legal or a "gray" area.
It's the same with #2 AL used for 100 amp feeds on anything other than dwelling services. Sure, some inspectors won't call you on it because they think it's okay but that doesn't automatically make it open to "interpretation".
It IS black and white.
http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=148151
http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=131663
http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=129322
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Good point! And thus...the debate continues..... :/