National Electrical Installation Standards

Standards as High as Your Own

 
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Monday, April 6, 2020

Question:

Thanks for the service you provide. Can you use schedule 40 conduit for meter box riser?

Steve Fazzary

A

Answer:

Hi Steve, thanks for the question. Schedule 40 PVC uses are covered in 352.10. Section 352.10(F) indicates that PVC conduit shall be permitted for exposed work. PVC conduit used exposed in areas of physical damage shall be identified for the use. It could be installed where protected from physical damage. Also Section 230.43(11) identifies the wiring methods suitable for use installing service conductors. A common method of using PVC conduit for this application would be to install Schedule 80 to simultaneously address an acceptable wiring method and accomplish the physical protection is achieved. Use of schedule 40 would be permitted, but it should not be subject to physical damage, or be otherwise protected.  

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