Electrical Services, Part 13

March 18, 2014
You must support them within 12 in. of every service head, gooseneck, or connection to a raceway (or enclosure) [230.51(A)] in that run.

Service entrance cables have special mounting requirements. You must support them within 12 in. of every service head, gooseneck, or connection to a raceway (or enclosure) [230.51(A)] in that run. The maximum interval between supports for a service entrance cable is 30 in.

What exactly is a gooseneck? It’s a loop-down in the cable, put there to prevent water from running along the cable and entering the service entrance. The shape it takes on resembles the neck of a goose, thus the name. You will usually see these just before the conductors enter the weatherhead.

Some cables are approved for mounting in contact with a structure, and others are not. If you’re running cables that aren’t approved for direct contact with the structure, you must ensure they don’t come into contact with it. The way you do this is you mount them on insulating supports at 15 ft (or less) intervals [230.51(B)], making sure these mounts keep the conductors at least 2 in. above the surface (e.g., roof) over which they pass.

Service entrance conductors are often run as individual open conductors rather than inside a raceway. If you run the conductors this way, you must observe the minimum distances provided by Table 230.51(C).

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of EC&M, create an account today!

Sponsored Recommendations

Electrical Conduit Comparison Chart

CHAMPION FIBERGLASS electrical conduit is a lightweight, durable option that provides lasting savings when compared to other materials. Compare electrical conduit types including...

Fiberglass Electrical Conduit Chemical Resistance Chart

This information is provided solely as a guide since it is impossible to anticipate all individual site conditions. For specific applications which are not covered in this guide...

Considerations for Direct Burial Conduit

Installation type plays a key role in the type of conduit selected for electrical systems in industrial construction projects. Above ground, below ground, direct buried, encased...

How to Calculate Labor Costs

Most important to accurately estimating labor costs is knowing the approximate hours required for project completion. Learn how to calculate electrical labor cost.