Type of conduit allowed between meter base and load center
shelly41
| Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on
Hello, I was wondering what type of conduit I can use between a meter base and load center. Both will be mounted to an outdoor 6×6 pedestal about 5′ off the ground. They will be mounted on opposite sides of this pedestal. I assume this is considered by NEC as a location “subject to physical damage”? Correct me if I’m wrong. Is there any type of conduit I can use besides Schedule 80 PVC or RMC? I need to make two 90 degree bends in a small space, and I haven’t been able to find 2″ PVC or RMC fittings that will allow me to do this, although I’m still looking into it. Thanks!
Replies
Why not just connect them back to back with a rigid conduit nipple? Straight run of a few inches.
Check with your city building department, but I think you could use liquidtight flex conduit. It is available either as flex metal with plastic exterior or all plastic which has a thickness a little more than Sch40.
Why not just a rigid conduit nipple between the two back to back?
You also could look at drilling a hole through the post. This might work, depending on your application.
Greetings.
Have you explored the possibility of finding/using what are called here, “pull 90’s”. A fitting that enables pulling cable in a tight 90 via a removable plate. Also called a pull elbow. It allows pulling the cable out and then back in at the 90. Depending on the cable......
What you refer to are conduit bodies. The 90 degree or ell is designated LB, LR or LL depending on where the conduit exits in relation to the cover. There is also a T and a straight through body.
What you refer to are conduit bodies. They come in various configurations of ells, tees and straight.
Those are called "conduit bodies".https://www.google.com/search?q=conduit+body&client=safari&rls=en&sxsrf=ALeKk02PxjdbS8-qblrc6gl-1SMzbXEN7A:1606146618526&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=trTmXCwHnuXjCM%252C9kiUpZRKtKtDDM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kTHZEjHgipREeCNmXCCFUdWpjYHXw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiTzZ21gpntAhWOKM0KHUaoCf8Q_h0wAXoECBoQBA&biw=1386&bih=886#imgrc=trTmXCwHnuXjCM
The bonding requirements for service conduits out of the meter base (ahead of the overcurrent protection) make using anything other than PVC impractical. Where I live even if you use GRC and hammer the locknuts tight, you have to use a bonding lug on the locknut with a bonding conductor the same size as your phase conductors. PVC is much easier and just because it's outside and exposed doesn't make it subject to physical damage.
Why not just a rigid nipple between the backs of both panels? Straight run of a few inches.Or one panel on top of the other. Or a meter panel with breakers?