SERVICE-ENTRANCE CABLE

Types SE and USE 338-1. Definition. Service-entrance cable is a single conductor or multiconductor assembly provided with or without an overall covering, primarily used for services, and is of the following types: (a) Type SE. Type SE, having a flame-retardant, moisture-resistant covering. (b) Type USE. Type USE, identified for underground use, having a moisture-resistant covering, but not required to have a flame-retardant covering. 70-234 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE Cabled single-conductor Type USE constructions recognized for underground use may have a bare copper conductor cabled with the assembly. Type USE single, parallel, or cabled conductor assemblies recognized for underground use may have a bare copper concentric conductor applied. These constructions do not require an outer overall covering. Exception: Type USE shall be permitted for service laterals above ground outside of buildings. (FPN No. 1): See Section 230-41, Exception, item b for directly buried, uninsulated service-entrance conductors. (FPN No. 2): See Section 300-5(d) for protection from physical damage. (c) One Uninsulated Conductor. If Type SE or USE cable consists of two or more conductors, one shall be permitted to be uninsulated. 338-2. Uses Permitted as Service-Entrance Conductors. Serviceentrance cable used as service-entrance conductors shall be installed as required by Article 230. 338-3. Uses Permitted as Branch Circuits or Feeders. (a) Grounded Conductor Insulated. Type SE service-entrance cables shall be permitted in interior wiring systems where all of the circuit conductors of the cable are of the rubber-covered or thermoplastic type. (b) Grounded Conductor Not Insulated. Type SE service-entrance cables without individual insulation on the grounded circuit conductor shall not be used as a branch circuit or as a feeder within a building, except a cable that has a final nonmetallic outer covering and is supplied by alternating current at not over 150 volts to ground shall be permitted (1) as a branch circuit to supply only a range, wall-mounted oven, countermounted cooking unit, or clothes dryer as covered in Section 250-60 or (2) as a feeder to supply only other buildings on the same premises. I Type SE service-entrance cable shall be permitted for use where the fully insulated conductors are used for circuit wiring and the uninsulated conductor is used for equipment grounding purposes. (c) 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. 338-4. Interior Installation Methods. In addition to the provisions of this article, Type SE service-entrance cable used for interior wiring shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of Article 336 and shall comply with the applicable provisions of Article 300. (FPN): See Section 310-10 for temperature limitation of conductors. 338-5. Marking. Service-entrance cable shall be marked as required in