[Gfmosegui]

Hey i have a code compliance question. I am not an electrician i am an auto mechanic/shop owner and i just had an "addition" built. Its a steel building that sits 2 feet away from my existing building. My utility company is upgrading my meter to a 400amp from a 200. I have a 200amp panel in my "old" shop and a 200 panel in the new shop. We will be using a 200amp service disconnect panel to feed the new panel in the new building. The disconnect panel will be next to my old 200 amp panel. My question is this. My electrician wantS to run 2.0" emt from disconnect panel secured to the ceiling out the wall to 2 feet outside and into the new building to the new panel. We are using 4/0 4/0 4/0 2/0 aluminum SER wire. Can i just run emt tubes to the attic and have the ser cable exposed in the attic on top of the trusses and then it go down with emt tubing into the new building or is this a code violation? The ceiling mounted 2" tubes looks bad in my opinion. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Im in virginia and my county considered this a storage or shed. No requirements for permit other than code compliance on whatever we do.

 

[Oso954]

According to code, SER cable needs protection when subject to physical damage.
Your electrician seems to feel that it does, or it is at least there is a reasonable case for it.

My opinion is go with your electrician.

If visual impact is your only beef, you can always paint the conduit to reduce its visibility against the background.

 

[surferdude2]

Too big of a gamble to try it and fail... the electrician is right to go with conduit. I've had inspectors shoot down 12/2 romex on top of the bottom chord of trusses in a garage. Had to provide wood support under them. It's an AHJ call.

 

[Gfmosegui]

Thanks for the reply thats the second opinion i was looking for. I will call my building inspector on monday and run both scenarios by him. Both have pros and cons. If it has to go in a pipe the it will be mounted to the ceiling because running 6 - 10ft 2" pipes into our attic would be hell.

 

[surferdude2]

Now you're cookin' Get it approved up front. You may get a win win and get to choose!

 

[brric]

A non-dwelling occupancy requires larger conductors for a 200 amp service. Is an explosion proof installation required for this shop?

 

[That Guy]

Always go safe. go with conduit.

Wait 10 years, and Mr Splinter and his 4 turtles take up residence in your attic... its a cool saturday night, and all the local pizza joints are closed, so they decide to munch on the insulation of the 200 amp wire... kinda tasty... add a little hot sauce and yummy.

Jump ahead 15 minutes, and your ENTIRE business is burning to the ground, and we get to watch it on youtube.

stop being cheap. Use conduit.

 

[Gfmosegui]

Im not trying to be cheap i just didnt want the pipe to be an eye sore thats all

 

[surferdude2]

That 2" conduit will be exceeding the maximum allowable fill and even if allowed, it will be a tough pull that will risk damaging the cable. If he upsizes the conduit, you're really not going to like the eyesore.

I'd jaw bone the inspector to verify/allow the open run in the attic. Providing protection at the room exposure on the ends or between buildings with EMT and proper connectors, couplings and bushings is easy enough.