Trouble understanding SEC protection

[randynavarro]

A client sent me a pic of this service and cable on the outside of her house.

Electrician is saying the exposed SEC under the meter is ok as long as it's secured. No protection required.

I've scanned 2011 NEC and having a hard time disseminating if protection from damage is required.

Any help?

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[Charles46]

2011 NEC Section 300.5.1: Direct buried conductors and cables emerging from grade and specified in columns 1 and 4 of table 300.5 shall be protected by enclosures or raceways extending from the minimum cover distance below grade ... to a point at least 8 ft. above finished grade.

[Jim Katen]

A client sent me a pic of this service and cable on the outside of her house.

Electrician is saying the exposed SEC under the meter is ok as long as it's secured. No protection required.

I've scanned 2011 NEC and having a hard time disseminating if protection from damage is required.

Any help?

Click to Enlarge

35.12 KB

It probably doesn't run underground.

In my area, that cable would not require protection. However, it should be secured, as the electrician said. I don't see that it's secured.

[MMustola]

In my area the SEC is always exposed when the service is over head. There should be a clamp every 30 inches.

[Jim Baird]

That's an overhead service, with sloppy work. The cable is supposed follow structure closely and be fastened at 18".

[John Kogel]

That cable is protected only by the breaker back at the transformer on a pole somewhere down the street. I don't know how many amps can flow through those SEC's before that beaker trips, but it is a lot.

We sometimes see a flexible cable feed from the weatherhead to the meter box, well clamped of course. But below that, it is routed inside the wall, always, and typically in rigid conduit.

That is indeed sloppy work and it shows a blatant disregard for the safety of the home owner's family.

[mjr6550]

A client sent me a pic of this service and cable on the outside of her house.

Electrician is saying the exposed SEC under the meter is ok as long as it's secured. No protection required.

I've scanned 2011 NEC and having a hard time disseminating if protection from damage is required.

Any help?

Click to Enlarge

35.12 KB

In my area they are typically not protected, but are attached (and usually much shorter). However, in Philadelphia where houses abut a sidewalk they require conduit over SEC up to 6 feet above grade.

[Rob Amaral]

Where is this? Bratislavia-Bobinka-Slobersk? Nutty..