Raceways
Raceways
Raceways
The term raceway, which is used in this chapter as well as others, is defined by the NEC® as a channel that is
designed and used expressly for the purpose of holding wires, cables, or busbars. The term circular raceway is
finding its way into the NEC to distinguish between raceways that are circular in configuration from raceways
that are rectangular such as wire-ways.
The following paragraphs describe several types of materials classified as a raceway.
The NEC has introduced acronyms for most raceways as shown. The NEC recognizes
intermediate metal conduit (IMC), rigid metal conduit (RMC), flexible metal conduit
(FMC), liquid-tight flexible metal conduit (LFMC), rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit
(PVC), high-density polyethylene conduit (HDPE), nonmetallic underground conduit
with conductors (NUCC), reinforced thermosetting resin conduit (RTRC), liquid-tight
flexible nonmetallic conduit (LFNC), electrical metallic tubing (EMT), flexible
metallic tubing (FMT), and electrical nonmetallic tubing (ENT).
RACEWAY SIZING IN THE NEC
• In keeping with the emphasis of the metric system of measurements in the NEC, a Metric
Designator has been introduced to provide an equivalency to the inch system of measurement for
circular raceways used for many years. You may have noticed the NEC uses the term “trade size”
rather than simply “size” or “size in inches” to indicate the size of circular raceways. The nominal
internal diameters in inches and millimeters as well as the square-inch (square millimeter) areas of
trade size 2 (metric designator 53) circular raceways are as shown in Table 6-2.
IT WILL BE USEFUL TO REVIEW SOME OF THE TERMS USED IN THE NEC CONCERNING
RACEWAYS:
•A ferrous conduit is made of iron or steel (sometimes referred to as magnetic); a nonferrous conduit is
made of a metal other than iron or steel (often is nonmagnetic but some alloys may have enough iron
or steel content to be magnetic).
•Common nonferrous raceways include aluminum, brass, and stainless steel (some alloys of stainless
steel may have enough iron or steel content to be magnetic).
•Metal or metallic would include both ferrous and nonferrous.
•Nonmetallic raceways would include PVC, ENT, Liquid-tight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit (LFNC), and
fiberglass (RTRC).
•Couplings are used to connect sections of a raceway.
•Locknuts, metal bushings, or connectors are used to connect raceways to boxes or fittings.
•Integral couplings are formed into some raceways and cannot be removed.
•Associated fittings such as couplings and connectors are separate items.
•• A running thread is a longer-than-standard length thread cut on one conduit and is sometimes
referred to as “continuous-thread” or “all-thread.” Connection to another conduit is achieved by
screwing a coupling on the running thread, butting the conduits together, and then backing the
coupling onto the second conduit. As shown in Figure 6-1, running threads are not permitted for
connecting conduits together with a coupling as a tight connection is not assured, NEC 344.42(B).
RIGID METAL CONDUIT (RMC)
Rigid metal conduit, Figure 6-2, is of heavy-wall construction to provide a maximum degree of
physical protection to the conductors that run through it. Rigid metal conduit is available in steel,
aluminum, brass, and stainless steel. The conduit can be threaded on the job with a standard pipe
die, or non-threaded fittings may be used where permitted.
INTERMEDIATE METAL CONDUIT (IMC)
IMC, RMC, and EMT are to be installed according to the requirements of NEC Articles 342, 344, and
358. The following points summarize the contents of these articles. All conduit runs should be level,
straight, plumb, and neat, showing good workmanship. Do not do sloppy work. It is quite common for
the authority having jurisdiction or the electrical engineer who designs the project to require an
equipment grounding conductor of the wire type to be installed through every metal raceway of the
circular type. The reason for this rule is the numerous failures of the metal raceways to provide a
continuous ground-fault return path. The failure can be the result of the conduit or EMT being loose
at fittings, having a broken fitting, or rusting through.
Due to repeated failures of compression-type couplings on conduit and EMT for rooftop installations to HVAC
equipment, a rule has been added to NEC 440.9 that requires an equipment grounding conductor of the wire
type to be installed in these runs.
Raceways provide a path for water to run into electrical equipment. This can be a hazard. The NEC
addresses this issue as follows:
•NEC 225.22 states, “Raceways on exteriors of buildings or other structures shall be arranged to drain
and shall be listed or approved for use in wet locations”.
•NEC 230.53 states, “Where exposed to the weather, raceways enclosing service entrance conductors
shall be listed or approved for use in wet locations and arranged to drain. Where embedded in
masonry, raceways shall be arranged to drain”.
WET LOCATION AND DRAINING OF RACEWAYS
• A practical solution for the challenge of how to drain water that might accumulate in raceways that
are installed in wet locations is found in NEC 314.15. It reads “In damp or wet locations, boxes,
conduit bodies, outlet box hoods, and fittings shall be placed or equipped so as to prevent
moisture from entering or accumulating within the box, conduit body, or fitting. Boxes, conduit
bodies, outlet box hoods, and fittings installed in wet locations shall be listed for use in wet
locations. Approved drainage openings not smaller than 1⁄8 in. (3 mm) and not larger than ¼ in. (6
mm) shall be permitted to be installed in the field in boxes or conduit bodies listed for use in damp
or wet locations. For installation of listed drain fittings, larger openings are permitted to be
installed in the field in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions”.
WET LOCATION AND DRAINING OF RACEWAYS
• Drain holes not larger than 1⁄4 in. (6 mm) in diameter are permitted to be drilled at appropriate
locations in conduit bodies such as LBs or in the wet-location enclosure. Properly installed drain
holes or fittings will help prevent water from entering enclosures that contain energized parts
including bussing for panelboards that can be damaged by exposure to water. Another policy that
should be considered is to limit entries to the top or sides of enclosures that contain energized
components. An important practice is to use a weatherproof hub or sealing locknuts on any entry
on the side of the enclosure that is above the factory knockouts. The same installation method
must be followed for entries on the top of an enclosure that is installed in a wet location.
FLEXIBLE METAL CONDUIT (FMC)
•in trade sizes 1⁄2 to 4. For enclosing motor leads, trade size 3⁄8 is suitable.
• for fixture whips not less than 18 in. (450 mm) or over 6 ft (1.8 m) in length permitted or required
by NEC 410.117(C), or for flexible connection to equipment such as a motor.
LFMC OF TRADE SIZE 1⁄2 OR SMALLER MAY BE USED AS AN EQUIPMENT
GROUNDING CONDUCTOR IF
•it is listed;
•it is not more than 6 ft (1.8 m) in length;
•it is connected with listed fittings; and
•the circuit is rated at 20 amperes or less.
LFMC OF TRADE SIZE 3⁄4, 1, OR 11⁄4 MAY BE USED AS AN EQUIPMENT
GROUNDING CONDUCTOR IF
•it is listed;
•it is not more than 6 ft (1.8 m) in length;
•it is connected with listed fittings; and
•the overcurrent device is rated at 60 amperes or less.
NEC 350.60 and 250.118(6) require that: If used to connect equipment where flexibility is necessary
to minimize the transmission of vibration from equipment or to provide flexibility for equipment that
requires movement after installation, an equipment grounding conductor shall be installed.*
LIQUID-TIGHT FLEXIBLE NONMETALLIC CONDUIT (LFNC)
Both metal and nonmetallic fittings listed for use with the various types of LFNC will be marked with the “A,” “B,”
or “C” designations.
LFNC types A and C are generally restricted to a length of 6 ft (1.8 m). Type B LFNC is permitted in lengths
exceeding 6 ft (1.8 m) if secured as required.
ARMORED (TYPE AC) AND METAL-CLAD (TYPE MC) CABLES
Two increasingly popular wiring systems are presented in NEC Articles 320 and 330. As they are similar
and different in many ways, the information on these systems is presented in the following parallel
comparative format, Figure 6-18 and Table 6-3.
RIGID POLYVINYL CHLORIDE CONDUIT (PVC)
The most commonly used PVC (formerly referred to as rigid nonmetallic conduit) is made of polyvinyl
chloride, which is a thermoplastic polymer. Solvent-type cement is used for PVC connections and
terminations.
The two most popular types of PVC are as follows:
•Schedule 40: Permitted underground (direct burial or encased in concrete) and aboveground (indoors
and outdoors exposed to sunlight) where not subject to physical damage. Some Schedule 40 is marked for
underground use only. Schedule 40 has a thinner wall than Schedule 80.
•Schedule 80: Permitted underground (direct burial or encased in concrete) and aboveground (indoors
and outdoors in sunlight) as well as where subject to physical damage. Schedule 80 has a thicker wall than
Schedule 40.
PVC CONDUIT IS PERMITTED
• in places of assembly if the requirements of NEC 518.4(B), 518.4(C), and 520.5(C) are met.
PVC CONDUIT IS NOT PERMITTED
•in hazardous (classified) locations except for limited use as set forth in NEC Chapter 5.
•for support of luminaires.
•where exposed to physical damage unless so identified. (Schedule 80 is so listed.)
•where subject to ambient temperatures exceeding 122°F (50°C).
•for conductors whose insulation temperature limitations would exceed those for which the
conduit is listed. (Check the marking or listing label to obtain this temperature rating.)
•for electrical circuits serving patient care areas in hospitals and health care facilities, as the
raceway does not provide an equipment grounding conductor as required by NEC 517.13(A).
•in places of assembly and theaters except as provided in NEC 518.4(B) and 520.5(C).
PVC CONDUIT FITTINGS AND BOXES
The conduit and tubing size required for an installation depends on three factors:
•The number of conductors to be installed
•The cross-sectional area of the conductors
•The permissible raceway fill
RACEWAY SUPPORT
Many available devices are used to support conduit. The more popular devices are shown in Figure 6-24.