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Thread: drip loop?

  1. #1
    Anthony Alderman's Avatar
    Anthony Alderman Guest

    Question drip loop?

    I got this note from a homeowner this morning from her electrician "said it may be older than what you are accustomed to seeing but it was a safe design and did not need any weatherproofing."

    Can you guys take a look at that and tell me what you think? am I just off-base?
    Tony

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  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Osceola, AR
    Posts
    311

    Default Re: drip loop?

    I don't think that you are off base on this one. I write the condition up when I run across it. It was acceptable in my area for quite some time, but is out of favor now. The Utility Companies here won't reconnect it if there is ever a problem such as a tree limb knocking out the SE. If there is any remodelling done (that involves major electrical) the SE, meter base, and breaker panel all have to be changed out to 200 amp minimum as per the local utilities. AHJ would allow but in this case the Utilities rule.
    Alton Darty
    ATN Services
    ATN Services : Home


  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    Fletcher, NC
    Posts
    28,032

    Default Re: drip loop?

    Tony,

    Tell him (politely enough) to "stick it" and learn about what he does for a living.

    From the 2008 NEC. (underlining is mine)
    - 230.54 Overhead Service Locations.
    - - (A) Service Head. Service raceways shall be equipped with a service head at the point of connection to service-drop conductors. The service head shall comply with the requirement for fittings in 314.15.
    - - (B) Service Cable Equipped with Service Head or Gooseneck. Service cables shall be equipped with a service head. The service head shall comply with the requirement for fittings in 314.15.
    - - - Exception: Type SE cable shall be permitted to be formed in a gooseneck and taped with a self-sealing weather-resistant thermoplastic.
    - - (C) Service Heads and Goosenecks Above Service-Drop Attachment. Service heads and Goosenecks in service-entrance cables shall be located above the point of attachment of the service-drop conductors to the building or other structure.
    - - - Exception: Where it is impracticable to locate the service head or gooseneck above the point of attachment, the service head or gooseneck location shall be permitted not farther than 600 mm (24 in.) from the point of attachment.
    - - (D) Secured. Service cables shall be held securely in place.
    - - (E) Separately Bushed Openings. Service heads shall have conductors of different potential brought out through separately bushed openings.
    - - - Exception: For jacketed multiconductor service cable without splice.
    - - (F) Drip Loops. Drip loops shall be formed on individual conductors. To prevent the entrance of moisture, service-entrance conductors shall be connected to the service-drop conductors either (1) below the level of the service head or (2) below the level of the termination of the service-entrance cable sheath.
    - - (G) Arranged That Water Will Not Enter Service Raceway or Equipment. Service-drop conductors and service-entrance conductors shall be arranged so that water will not enter service raceway or equipment. (Jerry's note: Without a drip loop and weatherproofing, water CAN enter into the SE cable sheath, draining down by gravity and into the service equipment when the water drains out the bottom end of the outer sheath.)

    I know, he will say 'it is older than 2008', does not matter, it has always been the intent to *not allow water to enter into the SE cable outer sheath*.

    I went and randomly pulled out an older NEC, 1935 it turned out to be, and this is what it says (so tell that guy to 'stick it where the sun don't shine' ):

    From the 1935 NEC. (underlining is mine)
    - 404. Overhead service - Service Head to Service Equipment.
    - - a. Service raceway shall be equipped with an approved raintight service head. Service entrance cable shall be equipped with an approved raintight service head or be formed into a gooseneck and taped and painted. Drip loops shall be formed on individual wires and on cables.

    So ... ... to him.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  4. #4
    Anthony Alderman's Avatar
    Anthony Alderman Guest

    Default Re: drip loop?

    Hey guys, I really appreciate your feedback. I kind of figured that was the case This electrician either didn't want to deal with it because he's doing her a favor or just didn't know what he was talking about. And Jerry thank you for the NEC code references. I will try to be polite, he's probably some 20 year old kid, oh well.
    Thanks again
    Tony


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