Can neutral service wire be insulated?

Of course. Mark it with white tape or paint at the ends, so you know which one is the neutral.

For 3 wires, maximum conductor fill is 40% of the conduit cross-section. Per

If you have even one bend to go around, you will find the conductors *much* easier to pull if you use 2" conduit.

Thanks Doug.

I was thinking about using 2" PVC but the LBs are huge. Not a problem outside but fitting a 2" LB inside between the joists to make the turn down to my main panel is going to be really tight. To make it even more difficult several of the branch circuit wires run straight up above where the panel is going.

I'll probably go with the 1 1/2" only do give myself a little more room around the conduit. The run is pretty short: 2' from the meter pan- 90deg turn into house- almost an immediate 90 again to go down to the panel.

Don't say I didn't warn you. :-)

You can use insulated THHN/THWN for the neutral, just be sure to mark it white with paint or tape. Three 2/0s will fit in 1 1/2 pipe but usually they use 2" sch 80 for services, probably because that is what they carry on the truck. The Sch 80 part is up to your AHJ

It'll be a bitch in 1 1/2. If it's a one time deal lay out your wire and put each piece of conduit on it one at a time. In other words put the conduit on the wire instead of pulling the wire through the conduit.

A few months ago I got a "small" 2" LB at Lowes. It was right next to the normal giant ones. My brother the electrician was half joking half serious mumbling under his breath asking himself why he even showed me the small ones and let me choose. I can only imagine how difficult a

Limp Arbor wrote: ...

... Google "pull elbow"

I doubt you will find them any bigger than 3/4". He is stuck with an LB

OK, "access fittings" for larger diameters.

I'm convinced. I'll go with the giant 2" LB only because using a DWV sch40 long sweep painted grey might make the inspector frown.

Limp Arbor wrote: ...

...

Again, look at access fittings; they're 90-degree w/ access for the pull to make it straight shot as well as take up less room in tight locations.

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| I was thinking about using 2" PVC but the LBs are huge. Not a problem | outside but fitting a 2" LB inside between the joists to make the turn | down to my main panel is going to be really tight.

Could you use 2" until the point where things get tight and then reduce? My service entrance conduit reduces near where it reaches the meter box.

Dan Lanciani ddl@danlan.*com

Thanks Doug.

I was thinking about using 2" PVC but the LBs are huge. Not a problem outside but fitting a 2" LB inside between the joists to make the turn down to my main panel is going to be really tight. To make it even more difficult several of the branch circuit wires run straight up above where the panel is going.

I'll probably go with the 1 1/2" only do give myself a little more room around the conduit. The run is pretty short: 2' from the meter pan- 90deg turn into house- almost an immediate 90 again to go down to the panel.

All the more reason to use 2". Three 90 degree bends in 2/0 are going to be hell in 1 1/2"

This may work

...

If you're short on room I'm talking about these --

This was first one loaded; it's 1-1/4" but they're made 2" and larger. As well as this configuration there are others that change orientation of the short side to handle whichever direction the bend needs to go...

I was pretty sure I'd seen conventional pull-elbows at least 1-1/4" and surprised if they're not available even larger as well but perhaps not.

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This may work

You can also use yellow pulling grease.

Couldn't you also use 2" Greenfield, or Sealtite for this. You might have a time finding that size sold by the foot, but you can check around. I have never had occasion to buy any. Larry

You would not be able to make the turn in a 2x4 wall with 2"