---
aliases:
  - nec-342
title: "Article 342 Intermediate Metal Conduit: Type IMC"
tags:
  - authorship/other
  - exclude-from-word-count
  - topic/construction/electrical
  - type/media/reference
---
# Article 342 Intermediate Metal Conduit: Type IMC

## Part I. General

### 342.1 Scope.

This article covers the use, installation, and construction specifications for intermediate metal conduit (IMC) and associated fittings.

### 342.2 Definition.

The definition in this section shall apply within this article and throughout the Code.

#### Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC).

A steel threadable raceway of circular cross section designed for the physical protection and routing of conductors and cables and for use as an equipment grounding conductor when installed with its integral or associated coupling and appropriate fittings.

### 342.6 Listing Requirements.

IMC, factory elbows and couplings, and associated fittings shall be listed.

## Part II. Installation

### 342.10 Uses Permitted.

#### 342.10(A) All Atmospheric Conditions and Occupancies.

Use of IMC shall be permitted under all atmospheric conditions and occupancies.

#### 342.10(B) Corrosion Environments.

IMC, elbows, couplings, and fittings shall be permitted to be installed in concrete, in direct contact with the earth, or in areas subject to severe corrosive influences where protected by corrosion protection approved for the condition.

#### 342.10(C) Cinder Fill.

IMC shall be permitted to be installed in or under cinder fill where subject to permanent moisture where protected on all sides by a layer of non-cinder concrete not less than 50 mm (2 in.) thick; where the conduit is not less than 450 mm (18 in.) under the fill; or where protected by corrosion protection approved for the condition.

#### 342.10(D) Wet Locations.

All supports, bolts, straps, screws, and so forth, shall be of corrosion-resistant materials or protected against corrosion by corrosion-resistant materials.

> [!info] Informational Note:
> See 300.6 for protection against corrosion.

#### 342.10(E) Severe Physical Damage.

IMC shall be permitted to be installed where subject to severe physical damage.

### 342.14 Dissimilar Metals.

Where practicable, dissimilar metals in contact anywhere in the system shall be avoided to eliminate the possibility of galvanic action.

Stainless steel and aluminum fittings and enclosures shall be permitted to be used with galvanized steel IMC where not subject to severe corrosive influences.

Stainless steel IMC shall only be used with the following:

* (1) Stainless steel fittings

* (2) Stainless steel boxes and enclosures

* (3) Steel (galvanized, painted, powder or PVC coated, and so forth) boxes and enclosures when not subject to severe corrosive influences

* (4) Stainless steel, nonmetallic, or approved accessories

### 342.20 Size.

#### 342.20(A) Minimum.

IMC smaller than metric designator 16 (trade size 1/2) shall not be used.

#### 342.20(B) Maximum.

IMC larger than metric designator 103 (trade size 4) shall not be used.

> [!info] Informational Note:
> See 300.1(C) for the metric designators and trade sizes. These are for identification purposes only and do not relate to actual dimensions.

### 342.22 Number of Conductors.

The number of conductors shall not exceed that permitted by the percentage fill specified in Table 1, Chapter 9.

Cables shall be permitted to be installed where such use is not prohibited by the respective cable articles. The number of cables shall not exceed the allowable percentage fill specified in Table 1, Chapter 9.

### 342.24 Bends --- How Made.

Bends of IMC shall be so made that the conduit will not be damaged and the internal diameter of the conduit will not be effectively reduced. The radius of the curve of any field bend to the centerline of the conduit shall not be less than indicated in Table 2, Chapter 9.

### 342.26 Bends --- Number in One Run.

There shall not be more than the equivalent of four quarter bends (360 degrees total) between pull points, for example, conduit bodies and boxes.

### 342.28 Reaming and Threading.

All cut ends shall be reamed or otherwise finished to remove rough edges. Where conduit is threaded in the field, a standard cutting die with a taper of 1 in 16 (3/4 in. taper per foot) shall be used.

> [!info] Informational Note:
> See ANSI/ASME B1.20.1-2013, Standard for Pipe Threads, General Purpose (Inch).

### 342.30 Securing and Supporting.

IMC shall be installed as a complete system in accordance with 300.18 and shall be securely fastened in place and supported in accordance with 342.30(A) and (B).

#### 342.30(A) Securely Fastened.

IMC shall be secured in accordance with one of the following:

* (1) IMC shall be securely fastened within 900 mm (3 ft) of each outlet box, junction box, device box, cabinet, conduit body, or other conduit termination.

* (2) Where structural members do not readily permit fastening within 900 mm (3 ft), fastening shall be permitted to be increased to a distance of 1.5 m (5 ft).

* (3) Where approved, conduit shall not be required to be securely fastened within 900 mm (3 ft) of the service head for above-the-roof termination of a mast.

#### 342.30(B) Supports.

IMC shall be supported in accordance with one of the following:

* (1) Conduit shall be supported at intervals not exceeding 3 m (10 ft).

* (2) The distance between supports for straight runs of conduit shall be permitted in accordance with Table 344.30(B)(2), provided the conduit is made up with threaded couplings and supports that prevent transmission of stresses to termination where conduit is deflected between supports.

* (3) Exposed vertical risers from industrial machinery or fixed equipment shall be permitted to be supported at intervals not exceeding 6 m (20 ft) if the conduit is made up with threaded couplings, the conduit is supported and securely fastened at the top and bottom of the riser, and no other means of intermediate support is readily available.

* (4) Horizontal runs of IMC supported by openings through framing members at intervals not exceeding 3 m (10 ft) and securely fastened within 900 mm (3 ft) of termination points shall be permitted.

### 342.42 Couplings and Connectors.

#### 342.42(A) Threadless.

Threadless couplings and connectors used with conduit shall be made tight. Where buried in masonry or concrete, they shall be the concrete-tight type. Where installed in wet locations, they shall comply with 314.15. Threadless couplings and connectors shall not be used on threaded conduit ends unless listed for the purpose.

#### 342.42(B) Running Threads.

Running threads shall not be used on conduit for connection at couplings.

### 342.46 Bushings.

Where a conduit enters a box, fitting, or other enclosure, a bushing shall be provided to protect the wires from abrasion unless the box, fitting, or enclosure is designed to provide such protection.

> [!info] Informational Note:
> See 300.4(G) for the protection of conductors 4 AWG and larger at bushings.

### 342.56 Splices and Taps.

Splices and taps shall be made in accordance with 300.15.

### 342.60 Grounding.

IMC shall be permitted as an equipment grounding conductor.

## Part III. Construction Specifications

### 342.100 Construction.

IMC shall be made of one of the following:

* (1) Steel, with protective coatings
* (2) Stainless steel

### 342.120 Marking.

Each length shall be clearly and durably marked at least every 1.5 m (5 ft) with the letters IMC. Each length shall be marked as required in the first sentence of 110.21(A).
