338 – Service-Entrance Cable: Type SE and USE

338.2 – Service-Entrance Conductor Assembly

Change at a Glance:

A new definition for “Service-Entrance Conductor Assembly” was added to differentiate between service-entrance cables and assemblies of single-insulated USE conductors.

338.2 Definitions. (Service-Entrance Cables)

Service-Entrance Cable. A single conductor or multiconductor assembly cable 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.
Service-Entrance Conductor Assembly. Multiple single-insulated conductors twisted together without an overall covering, other than an optional binder intended only to keep the conductors together.

338.100 – Assemblies, Construction, and Uninsulated SE Conductors

Change at a Glance:

All conductors of a cabled assemblies of multiple single-conductors of a Type USE cable are now required to be insulated.

338.100 Construction. (Service-Entrance Cables)

(A) Assemblies. Cabled assemblies of multiple single- conductor Type USE constructions recognized for underground use conductors shall be permitted to have a bare copper conductor cabled with the assembly. Type USE single, parallel, or cabled conductor assemblies recognized for underground use shall be permitted to have a bare copper concentric conductor applied. These constructions shall not require an outer overall covering for direct burial. All conductors shall be insulated.
Informational Note: See 230.41, Exception, item (2), for directly buried, uninsulated service-entrance conductor The term “cabled” refers to a manufacturing process of twisting single conductors together and may also be referred to as “plexed.”

(B) Uninsulated Conductor. Type SE or USE cable with an overall covering containing two or more conductors shall be permitted to have one conductor uninsulated.