Does not look good. Can anyone cite a code reference for required clearance of SE from downspout? Please. Thank You!
I see where some SEC clearance requirements can be reduced by protecting the wires. But I don’t know of any way of effectively protecting them. Any ideas. Probably at this point it would be easiest to relocate the downspout I guess.
Add this for protection or move the gutter.
Thank You Marcel!
Well, this certainly should not be laid across the gutter. What were they thinking?
Gutter came latter, is what I am thinking.
Guys, I was less worried about the neutral than the hot wires energizing the gutter system in a strong wind. Do either of you have a code citation for this clearance?
There are several code requirements for clearance around windows, walkways, etc, but it seems to skip this application.
Lack of code would not prevent me from calling this out.
Hopefully a sparky will come along and give you specific code over and above what I could find.
The NEC is silent on clearance from gutters and downspouts.
The conductors do not have much room to sway, even in a heavy wind. The insulation is rather thick also.
I would tend to stay away from code specific and leave that up to someone else.
" The electrical service entrance conductors along with other wiring appear to run close to and/or touch against a gutter downspout. It is recommended that further evaluation by a licensed electrical contractor to determine if any potential safety hazards and/or code violations with this install exist."
Yes, i have installed it and it is rugged stuff. I get about a little nervous about these conditions ever since I saw the SEC touching my niece’s aluminum gutters because the pole that the service wires were coming from had leaned toward the house. But, as you suggest it’s probably better to kick it back into the electrician’s court. Regarding the downspout installation… New downspout had been installed, but in exactly the same place as the old since the holes from the older hangers were still present. This is an electrician’s doing from what I see. Thanks to all!
Looks like they could have left more conductor length for a longer drip loop. Those connections are made by the utility so it could be that they cut the conductors short when splicing them. There are better ways to do this but unless the ungrounded conductors are rubbing against the leader as Jim stated not much will happen due to the stiffness of the conductors. Also they could be reshaped where they exit the weatherhead to keep them from touching anything.
Could this become energized if there is a fault upstream or downstream?
I would pass it off to an electrician for further evaluation for options and cost. However, it looks like an easy fix would be to move the tie off to the opposite side of the downspout.
Moving the anchor would require the triplex to be dropped. The triplex may not be long enough to move the anchor. It would be easier to bend the neutral away from the spout.
Use this CODE in your report…
C - Clear the downspout…
O - Or you’ll be…
D - Dead by…
E- Electric shock
