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Article 338 Service-Entrance Cable: Types SE and USE

National Electrical Code 2020 of Illinois > 3 Wiring Methods and Materials > 338 Service-Entrance Cable: Types SE and USE

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338.1 Scope

This article covers the use, installation, and construction specifications of service-entrance cable.

338.2 Definitions

The definition in this section shall apply within this article and throughout the Code.

Service-Entrance Cable. A single conductor or multiconductor cable provided with an overall covering, primarily used for services, and of the following types:

Type SE. Service-entrance cable having a flame-retardant, moisture-resistant covering.

Type USE. Service-entrance cable, identified for underground use, having a moisture-resistant covering, but not required to have a flame-retardant covering.

Service-Entrance Conductor Assembly. Multiple single-insulated conductors twisted together without an overall covering, other than an optional binder intended only to keep the conductors together.

338.6 Listing Requirements

Type SE and USE cables and associated fittings shall be listed.

338.10 Uses Permitted

(A) Service-Entrance Conductors

Service-entrance cable shall be permitted to be used as service-entrance conductors and shall be installed in accordance with 230.6, 230.7, and Parts II, III, and IV of Article 230.

(B) Branch Circuits or Feeders

(1) Grounded Conductor Insulated

Type SE service-entrance cables shall be permitted in wiring systems where all of the circuit conductors of the cable are of the thermoset or thermoplastic type.

(2) Use of Uninsulated Conductor

Type SE service-entrance cable shall be permitted for use where the insulated conductors are used for circuit wiring and the uninsulated conductor is used only for equipment grounding purposes.

Exception: In existing installations, uninsulated conductors shall be permitted as a grounded conductor in accordance with 250.32 and 250.140, where the uninsulated grounded conductor of the cable originates in service equipment, and with 225.30 through 225.40.

(3) Temperature Limitations

Type SE service-entrance cable used to supply appliances shall not be subject to conductor temperatures in excess of the temperature specified for the type of insulation involved.

(4) Installation Methods for Branch Circuits and Feeders

Informational Note No. 1: See 310.14(A)(3) for temperature limitation of conductors.

Informational Note No. 2: For the installation of main power feeder conductors in dwelling units refer to 310.12.

(a) Interior Installations.

In addition to the provisions of this article, Type SE service-entrance cable used for interior wiring shall comply with the installation requirements of Part II of Article 334, excluding 334.80.
Where more than two Type SE cables containing two or more current-carrying conductors in each cable are installed in contact with thermal insulation, caulk, or sealing foam without maintaining spacing between cables, the ampacity of each conductor shall be adjusted in accordance with Table 310.15(C)(1).
For Type SE cable with ungrounded conductor sizes 10 AWG and smaller, where installed in contact with thermal insulation, the ampacity shall be in accordance with 60°C (140°F) conductor temperature rating. The maximum conductor temperature rating shall be permitted to be used for ampacity adjustment and correction purposes, if the final ampacity does not exceed that for a 60°C (140°F) rated conductor.

(b) Exterior Installations.

In addition to the provisions of this article, service-entrance cable used for feeders or branch circuits, where installed as exterior wiring, shall be installed in accordance with Part I of Article 225. The cable shall be supported in accordance with 334.30.
Type USE cable installed as underground feeder and branch circuit cable shall comply with Part II of Article 340.

Exception: Single-conductor Type USE and multi-rated USE conductors shall not be subject to the ampacity limitations of Part II of Article 340.

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:

Where subject to physical damage unless protected in accordance with 230.50(B)
Underground with or without a raceway
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

(B) Underground Service-Entrance Cable

Underground service-entrance cable (USE) shall not be used under the following conditions or in the following locations:

For interior wiring
For aboveground installations except where USE cable emerges from the ground and is terminated in an enclosure at an outdoor location and the cable is protected in accordance with 300.5(D)
As aerial cable unless it is a multiconductor cable identified for use aboveground and installed as messenger-supported wiring in accordance with 225.10 and Part II of Article 396

338.24 Bending Radius

Bends in Types USE and SE cable shall be so made that the cable will not be damaged. The radius of the curve of the inner edge of any bend, during or after installation, shall not be less than five times the diameter of the cable.

338.100 Construction

(A) Assemblies

Cabled assemblies of multiple single-conductor Type USE conductors shall be permitted for direct burial. All conductors shall be insulated.

Informational Note: The term "cabled" refers to a manufacturing process of twisting single conductors together and may also be referred to as "plexed."

(B) Uninsulated Conductor

Type SE or USE cable with an overall covering containing two or more conductors shall be permitted to have one conductor uninsulated.

338.120 Marking

Service-entrance cable shall be marked as required in 310.8. Cable with the neutral conductor smaller than the ungrounded conductors shall be so marked.

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