National Electrical Installation Standards

Standards as High as Your Own

 
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Thursday, December 19, 2019

Question:

Dear Charlie,

I am a student in electrical at a technical high school. While having a theory lesson on services, we developed some questions on the straps on the service conduit. We feel that the straps should be located within 12 inches from the weatherhead. Nowhere in the codebook could we find where it states this. We were wondering if you could elaborate on where to find this in the 2017 NEC code book. If you could find time to get back to us, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Alexis G and Ryan M
A

Answer:

Hey Alexis and Ryan thanks for your question. If using service cable such as Type SE you would be correct as stated in 230.51(A). Depending on the type of conduit used, for example using Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC) it must be supported within 3 feet of a termination as stated in 344.30(A). For other raceways that are allowed for services in 230.43 look in the XXX.30 section of that article for specific securing and supporting rules. Keep studying the NEC.

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CHARLIE TROUT: Charles M. Trout, better known as Charlie, was a nationally known NEC® expert and author. He served on several NEC® technical committees and is past chairman of CMP-12. In 2006 Charlie was awarded the prestigious Coggeshall Award for outstanding contributions to the electrical contracting industry, codes and standards development, and technical training. Even though Charlie passed away in October of 2015, his work continues in spirit. NECA continues to maintain this question forum for its many subscribers in memory and recognition of all his significant contributions to making the NEC what it is today.

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