electricalguru
Jan 13, 2007, 06:13 AM
Are there recommendations that cover the repair of frayed Type SE conductors?
I have seen many service entrance cables in bad shape, and some are so old where the insulation is very brittle.
I understand that the code now calls for them to be sunlight resistant too.
tkrussell
Jan 13, 2007, 07:03 AM
Al that could be done, on a temporay basis is to cover the frayed section with a properly voltage rated material, such as electrical tape, until the cable can be replaced.
Once the original sheathing is damaged, there is no permanent soultion to get it back to the original manufacturer's specifications.
I do not believe that any AHJ would allow, nor would be a good idea, to apply any covering on a permanent basis.
Yes, any conductor, cable assembly, and conduit that will be located outdoors must be sunlight resistant, along with being rated for wet locations.
FYI, this also includes wire ties, also known as Ty-Raps. Only the black ones are sunlight resistant, the white, clear, or colored ones generally are not, and the manufacturers specs must be checked before using outdoors.
Many times someone will create an overhead line ty-rapping a cable to a steel messenger cable using the standard white ties, and wonder why they fall apart.
electricalguru
Jan 13, 2007, 09:10 AM
Again, thanks for details, what do you think about the NEC 310.10 FPN 2?
labman
Jan 13, 2007, 09:33 AM
A comment from somebody that once made electrical cable. SE was where we used up all the insulation that failed the specs for anything else. The standards were quite low, and some of the standard tests weren't required. Never touch even what looks OK. How do you think so many people kill themselves when their ladder touches the SE? SE is for the birds.