Which sealant to use for 4/0 SER cable entry point?

[TimberMan]

I need to air seal the wall penetration where my 4/0 SER cable comes into the barn but am not sure what to use. To be clear I am taking about sealing the space between the inside of the PVC sleeve and the outside of the 4/0 SER.

Thanks!

 

[The Cobbler]

electrical duct sealing putty

 

[PCustoms]

I need to air seal the wall penetration where my 4/0 SER cable comes into the barn but am not sure what to use. To be clear I am taking about sealing the space between the inside of the PVC sleeve and the outside of the 4/0 SER.

Thanks!

Picture?

 

[sparky 1971]

Just cram duct seal in there.

Gardner Bender 1 lb. Plug Duct Seal Compound DS-110 - The Home Depot

Gardner Bender Duct Seal Compound Plug helps seal conduit openings, holes against drafts, dust, moisture and noise. Easy to handle.

www.homedepot.com

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Duct putty FTW!!

 

[TimberMan]

Picture?

 

[PCustoms]

I assume that is the interior side?

Is it a panel on the outside?

How is the outside of the PVC sealed to the siding?

 

[TimberMan]

I assume that is the interior side?

Is it a panel on the outside?

How is the outside of the PVC sealed to the siding?

Yes, that is the interior. The outside is shown here and nothing is sealed yet. My plan was to caulk around the top and sides of the exterior box and air seal around the wire.

 

[PCustoms]

Yes, that is the interior. The outside is shown here and nothing is sealed yet. My plan was to caulk around the top and sides of the exterior box and air seal around the wire.

I would pull that off, smear a FAT bead of caulk around the outside of the PVC, then a second bead about an inch outside that ring.

Re-mount the box and the caulk will smear out and seal the penetration.

On the inside, as already said, duct seal in the PVC.

 

[foodie]

Does the conduit go the whole way through and follow the cable? Or is that ring around the opening just to assist the cable through the
hole opening? What is the name of that type of ring around the opening? I need to use one of those....

 

[sparky 1971]

Does the conduit go the whole way through and follow the cable? Or is that ring around the opening just to assist the cable through the
hole opening? What is the name of that type of ring around the opening? I need to use one of those....

What you are seeing is the back side of a male adapter.

2

www.southwire.com

 

[Codyboy]

What is the purpose of sealing it? I doubt it would leak much air.
But yeah the duct putty ot even some spray foam in a can would do it.
I would think in a barn there would be countless holes and gaps to try and seal off.

 

[mm08822]

I would have used a 2" squeeze connector so the cable is properly clamped at the enclosure entry.

 

[TimberMan]

I used the fitting in the picture which is for 2” conduit. Also, be sure to use a thread protector (not shown). I used the clamp at the entrance to the load center.

 

[BillK]

Looks like the conduit is too short for the wall That would drive me crazy. Like the others said I would use the duct seal (Dum Dum) to seal it.

 

[TimberMan]

Looks like the conduit is too short for the wall That would drive me crazy. Like the others said I would use the duct seal (Dum Dum) to seal it.

Conduit isn’t needed, just a safe way to pass through into the wall cavity.

 

[BillK]

Conduit isn’t needed, just a safe way to pass through into the wall cavity.

I get it but it still looks like unfinished If the conduit was a little longer you could put a Escutcheon on it and neaten it up.

Oatey 1-1/2 in. White Plastic Iron Pipe Size Flange Escutcheon Plate HDC5366 - The Home Depot

Make use of this Oatey IPS Plastic Floor and Ceiling Plate for tubular drain application. Available in various sizes and easy to install.

www.homedepot.com

 

[PCustoms]

I get it but it still looks like unfinished If the conduit was a little longer you could put a Escutcheon on it and neaten it up.

Oatey 1-1/2 in. White Plastic Iron Pipe Size Flange Escutcheon Plate HDC5366 - The Home Depot

Make use of this Oatey IPS Plastic Floor and Ceiling Plate for tubular drain application. Available in various sizes and easy to install.

www.homedepot.com

That's a plumbing fitting

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I get it but it still looks like unfinished If the conduit was a little longer you could put a Escutcheon on it and neaten it up.

Oatey 1-1/2 in. White Plastic Iron Pipe Size Flange Escutcheon Plate HDC5366 - The Home Depot

Make use of this Oatey IPS Plastic Floor and Ceiling Plate for tubular drain application. Available in various sizes and easy to install.

www.homedepot.com

no such thing as an escutcheon for electrical conduit

 

[PCustoms]

I get it but it still looks like unfinished If the conduit was a little longer you could put a Escutcheon on it and neaten it up.

Oatey 1-1/2 in. White Plastic Iron Pipe Size Flange Escutcheon Plate HDC5366 - The Home Depot

Make use of this Oatey IPS Plastic Floor and Ceiling Plate for tubular drain application. Available in various sizes and easy to install.

www.homedepot.com

That's a plumbing fitting

Also it's inside a wall cavity. If it's functional and meets required code it's nothing more then personal preference on how it looks.

 

[foodie]

I apologize in advance, because all of you have helped me immensely on my whole house generator installation, and you are waaayy smarter than I will ever hope to be.
However, that duct seal putty is awful! They used it on the outside of my SER cable coming into my basement electrical panel. I just happen to check that area the other day and sure enough, I saw daylight peaking through. I personally do not trust that product. It totally pulls away from the outside penetrations. Prior to these wall penetrations with the SER cables I had a perfect air sealed basement rim joists. I studied this for 6 months before I took the task myself. Now I have to figure out how to get it back to its original nirvana! So that is either going to be caulk or fire block spray foam or both! I just have to decide which one will not interfere as a chemical reaction with the SER cable sheathing. Just my 2 cents.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I apologize in advance, because all of you have helped me immensely on my whole house generator installation, and you are waaayy smarter than I will ever hope to be.
However, that duct seal putty is awful! They used it on the outside of my SER cable coming into my basement electrical panel. I just happen to check that area the other day and sure enough, I saw daylight peaking through. I personally do not trust that product. It totally pulls away from the outside penetrations. Prior to these wall penetrations with the SER cables I had a perfect air sealed basement rim joists. I studied this for 6 months before I took the task myself. Now I have to figure out how to get it back to its original nirvana! So that is either going to be caulk or fire block spray foam or both! I just have to decide which one will not interfere as a chemical reaction with the SER cable sheathing. Just my 2 cents.

Ive never had an issue with it. someone didnt apply it correctly

 

[PCustoms]

I apologize in advance, because all of you have helped me immensely on my whole house generator installation, and you are waaayy smarter than I will ever hope to be.
However, that duct seal putty is awful! They used it on the outside of my SER cable coming into my basement electrical panel. I just happen to check that area the other day and sure enough, I saw daylight peaking through. I personally do not trust that product. It totally pulls away from the outside penetrations. Prior to these wall penetrations with the SER cables I had a perfect air sealed basement rim joists. I studied this for 6 months before I took the task myself. Now I have to figure out how to get it back to its original nirvana! So that is either going to be caulk or fire block spray foam or both! I just have to decide which one will not interfere as a chemical reaction with the SER cable sheathing. Just my 2 cents.

Post a picture of their abomination, we can probably save you another 6 months of studying

 

[Codyboy]

I get it but it still looks like unfinished If the conduit was a little longer you could put a Escutcheon on it and neaten it up.

Oatey 1-1/2 in. White Plastic Iron Pipe Size Flange Escutcheon Plate HDC5366 - The Home Depot

Make use of this Oatey IPS Plastic Floor and Ceiling Plate for tubular drain application. Available in various sizes and easy to install.

www.homedepot.com

For a barn?

 

[sparky 1971]

I apologize in advance, because all of you have helped me immensely on my whole house generator installation, and you are waaayy smarter than I will ever hope to be.
However, that duct seal putty is awful! They used it on the outside of my SER cable coming into my basement electrical panel. I just happen to check that area the other day and sure enough, I saw daylight peaking through. I personally do not trust that product. It totally pulls away from the outside penetrations. Prior to these wall penetrations with the SER cables I had a perfect air sealed basement rim joists. I studied this for 6 months before I took the task myself. Now I have to figure out how to get it back to its original nirvana! So that is either going to be caulk or fire block spray foam or both! I just have to decide which one will not interfere as a chemical reaction with the SER cable sheathing. Just my 2 cents.

They probably put the duct seal on then tugged on the cable which caused it to pull away from the wall. With all of the screwing around with everything on this job, I wouldn't be surprised if it was pulled away five times and never pressed back in place. I've used it to seal the outside of penetrations, but I prefer to use Vulkem. For this thread, the duct seal is to be installed inside a fitting and it's really about the only thing that will work in that application. Here, they make us use it to seal the inside of LB's for the service entrance otherwise the winter time cold air will cause the panel to be full of ice.

 

[foodie]

Ive never had an issue with it. someone didnt apply it correctly

So there are no issues of it shrinking over time also? Can you tell me how it should be applied correctly? I know they did roll it in their hand to soften it.

 

[foodie]

Post a picture of their abomination, we can probably save you another 6 months of studying

Ok, will see how I can post it. I already encased the outside in some Grace Vycor to seal it from the chipmunks that constantly invade my area.

 

[foodie]

They probably put the duct seal on then tugged on the cable which caused it to pull away from the wall. With all of the screwing around with everything on this job, I wouldn't be surprised if it was pulled away five times and never pressed back in place. I've used it to seal the outside of penetrations, but I prefer to use Vulkem. For this thread, the duct seal is to be installed inside a fitting and it's really about the only thing that will work in that application. Here, they make us use it to seal the inside of LB's for the service entrance otherwise the winter time cold air will cause the panel to be full of ice.

I love Vulkem and Dymonic FC. And that is exactly what I am concerned about is the ice and cold air coming in, being in Michigan. What do you use or recommend on the inside of the basement where the holes are? At least TimberMan hase a fitting for the hole where the cable come in, I have nothing. It is totally against the wood of the rim joist. I cannot take a picture of that I have tried. If I can I will start a new post/ Sorry for high jacking this one.

 

[mike93lx]

I've had duct seal last over a decade in New england weather. Sitting in direct sun all day, rain, snow, freezing, >100 degree temps. It's good stuff

 

[foodie]

I've had duct seal last over a decade in New england weather. Sitting in direct sun all day, rain, snow, freezing, >100 degree temps. It's good stuff

But does it also work as an insulator for the outside?

 

[mike93lx]

But does it also work as an insulator for the outside?

Insulator? It seals the pipe so it will stop airflow. Or do you mean something else?

The spot I've used it the most is to seal SER entering the top of a meter can. I had two houses with bare SER running down the side of the house and it worked great to keep it sealed. If it works for that, a horizontal penetration in a relatively protected spot is easy.

 

[mm08822]

Insulator? It seals the pipe so it will stop airflow. Or do you mean something else?

The spot I've used it the most is to seal SER entering the top of a meter can. I had two houses with bare SER running down the side of the house and it worked great to keep it sealed. If it works for that, a horizontal penetration in a relatively protected spot is easy.

I have also added a coating of clear silicone caulk over new duct seal used on the meter wp connector. So far so good, but I've only been back to a few to check out if it is adding any value. My thinking is that the silicone skin will keep the duct seal from drying out so quickly.

 

[sparky 1971]

What do you use or recommend on the inside of the basement where the holes are?

If you can get Vulkem worked in all around the hole, use it. The problem with some of the penetrations is that a caulking gun won't always fit and that's when duct seal comes to the rescue. Roll it into a long strip like a snake, put it around the hole and work it into the crack.