I. General
338.1 Scope. This article covers the use, installation, and construction specifications of service-entrance cable.
338.2 Definitions.
Service-Entrance Cable. A single conductor or multicon-ductor assembly provided with or without 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.
II. Installation
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 thermo-set or thermoplastic type.
(2) Grounded Conductor Not Insulated. 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: 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 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.
(a) Interior Installations. In addition to the provisions of this article, Type SE service-entrance cable used for in terior wiring shall comply with the installation require ments of Part II of Article 334.
FPN: See 310.10 for temperature limitation of conductors.
(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.
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:
(1) Where subject to physical damage unless protected in accordance with 230.50(A)
(2) 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:
(1) For interior wiring
(2) 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)
(3) As aerial cable unless it is a multiconductor cable identified for use aboveground and installed as messenger-supported wiring