Post by Electrical Code Academy Staff on May 18, 2016 8:43:18 GMT -6
Greetings Members,
From time to time I get this question and I have to chuckle a little because the answer to this question is ALL OVER the place. However, sometimes the answers that are right in front of us are blurred by the idiotic posts on YourTube that say it is ok or acceptable.
So with that said lets clear the air on this fact......
Here is what the National Electrical Code says about Type SE Cable ( also remember that Style U or R as still both just Type SE-Service Entrance Cable) :
First we look at the "Uses Not Permitted" in Section 338.12 of Article 338 Service Entrance Cable
338.12 Uses Not Permitted.
(A) Service-Entrance Cable. Service-entrance cable (SE) shall not be used under the following conditions or in the following locations:
(1) Where subject to physical damage unless protected in accordance with 230.50(B)
(2) Underground with or without a raceway
(3) For exterior branch circuits and feeder wiring unless
the installation complies with the provisions of Part I of
Article 225 and is supported in accordance with 334.30
or is used as messenger-supported wiring as permitted
in Part II of Article 396
Now as it seems in many FAKE videos online they say that some manufacturers make a Type SE that can be buried in the ground. Ironically, even if you could buy it the NEC says you can't use it. But can you actually buy it....well since all of the cables that are made have to be evaluated by UL, lets see what the UL 2014 WhiteBook has to say about Type SE Cable.
The cable is designated as follows:
Type SE — Indicates cable for aboveground installation. Both the individual
insulated conductors and the outer jacket or finish of Type SE are
suitable for use where exposed to sun. Type SE cable contains Type RHW,
RHW-2, XHHW, XHHW-2, THWN or THWN-2 conductors. Maximum size
is 4/0 AWG copper or 300 kcmil aluminum or copper-clad aluminum.
Types USE and USE-2 — Indicates cable for underground installation
So as you can see, clearly Type SE is only designed for aboveground applications and not to be used otherwise. So if someone posts a YouTube Video on "wiring a subpanel" from someone named "Klowny1969" then truly consider the source..a CLOWN!
From time to time I get this question and I have to chuckle a little because the answer to this question is ALL OVER the place. However, sometimes the answers that are right in front of us are blurred by the idiotic posts on YourTube that say it is ok or acceptable.
So with that said lets clear the air on this fact......
Here is what the National Electrical Code says about Type SE Cable ( also remember that Style U or R as still both just Type SE-Service Entrance Cable) :
First we look at the "Uses Not Permitted" in Section 338.12 of Article 338 Service Entrance Cable
338.12 Uses Not Permitted.
(A) Service-Entrance Cable. Service-entrance cable (SE) shall not be used under the following conditions or in the following locations:
(1) Where subject to physical damage unless protected in accordance with 230.50(B)
(2) Underground with or without a raceway
(3) For exterior branch circuits and feeder wiring unless
the installation complies with the provisions of Part I of
Article 225 and is supported in accordance with 334.30
or is used as messenger-supported wiring as permitted
in Part II of Article 396
Now as it seems in many FAKE videos online they say that some manufacturers make a Type SE that can be buried in the ground. Ironically, even if you could buy it the NEC says you can't use it. But can you actually buy it....well since all of the cables that are made have to be evaluated by UL, lets see what the UL 2014 WhiteBook has to say about Type SE Cable.
The cable is designated as follows:
Type SE — Indicates cable for aboveground installation. Both the individual
insulated conductors and the outer jacket or finish of Type SE are
suitable for use where exposed to sun. Type SE cable contains Type RHW,
RHW-2, XHHW, XHHW-2, THWN or THWN-2 conductors. Maximum size
is 4/0 AWG copper or 300 kcmil aluminum or copper-clad aluminum.
Types USE and USE-2 — Indicates cable for underground installation
So as you can see, clearly Type SE is only designed for aboveground applications and not to be used otherwise. So if someone posts a YouTube Video on "wiring a subpanel" from someone named "Klowny1969" then truly consider the source..a CLOWN!