I am running my aluminum service entrance cable from the main panel to a sub panel in my garage. It runs from the garage under the house then out the wall, makes a 90 degree turn to go into my side of the main box. I cannot find the code that says what kind of conduit it should be in when making the transition to outside and into the box. Any suggestions?
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Is this garage attached or detached?– ThreePhaseEelCommented Nov 13, 2018 at 2:55
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Attached. The wire goes through the wall down to the crawlspace and across to the outer wall. I'm just trying to figure out what the wire needs to be covered with when it goes out the outer wall and bends up to my side of the main breaker box.– AkGutierrezCommented Nov 14, 2018 at 3:05
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Is running it directly out the back of the breaker box into the inside of the wall not an option? Do you already have the SER cable in hand for that matter?– ThreePhaseEelCommented Nov 14, 2018 at 3:23
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We do have the wire. We ended up using liquid tight to make the bend. I had thought about going directly in the back, but it ended up coming up from the bottom. Thanks for the help though.– AkGutierrezCommented Nov 15, 2018 at 4:16
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Post that as an answer and I'll give you a +1 for it– ThreePhaseEelCommented Nov 15, 2018 at 4:17
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2 Answers
How deep do you go? You can give metal Rigid (/RMC) or IMC conduit only 6" of cover. Other conduit needs 18" of cover. If you want to direct bury, you need 24" of cover.
Since you are downstream of a main panel that presumably serves other loads, this is not service wire, this is feeder, and needs to be sized as feeder not service conductors. You need to run separate neutral and ground wires, unless you are running in IMC or Rigid conduit, in which case you are allowed to use the conduit shell as the ground wire.
Don't run cable in conduit, that is the mark of the amateur. It is also a very, very hard job. Either direct bury at 24" or use THWN-2 wires instead of cable.
answered Nov 12, 2018 at 20:49
Harper - Reinstate MonicaHarper - Reinstate Monica
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It can be conduit or direct burial. Above ground to 18" below ground it would need to be schedule 80 PVC or could be rigid metallic or IMC. Below 18" schedule 40 would work. If you go with direct burial it needs to be 24" with the sections above 24" protected by schedule 80 or rigid metallic or IMC as a quick overview. Table 300.5 in the NEC.
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1Schedule 40 is also rigid but not legal where it can be damaged. That's why I tried to differentiate. Will add metal.– Ed BealCommented Nov 12, 2018 at 21:14