113 lines
3.4 KiB
Markdown
113 lines
3.4 KiB
Markdown
---
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id:
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aliases: []
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tags:
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- topic/electrical
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- type/encyclopedia
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---
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# Raceway Terms
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## "Raceway"
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> [!quote] NEC Article 100
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> **Raceway.**
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> An enclosed channel
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> designed expressly for holding wires, cables, or busbars,
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> with additional functions as permitted in this _Code_. (CMP-8)
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### "Duct"
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> [!quote] NEC 310.2 Definitions
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> **Electrical Ducts.**
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> Electrical conduits, or other raceways round in cross section,
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> that are suitable for use underground or embedded in concrete.
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> [!info] Duct Bank
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> "Duct bank" is not given explicit definition in the NEC,
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> however it is used frequently to refer to any group of **ducts**,
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> _even as few as one_, as shown in Figure 310.60(C)(3).
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> It is always spelled as two words.
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## "Wiring Method"
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"Wiring method" is not given explicit definition in the NEC.
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> [!quote] NEC 110.8 Wiring Methods
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> Only wiring methods recognized as suitable
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> are included in this Code.
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> The recognized methods of wiring
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> shall be permitted to be installed
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> in any type of building or occupancy,
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> except as otherwise provided in this Code.
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> [!quote] NEC 300.1(A) All Wiring Installations
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> This article covers general requirements
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> for wiring methods and materials
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> for all _wiring installations_ (emphasis added)
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> unless modified by other articles in Chapter 3.
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Nor is wiring installation,
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however by closest definition
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it can be assumed **premises wiring**
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includes all wiring installations.
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> [!quote] NEC Article 100
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> **Premises Wiring (System).**
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> Interior and exterior wiring,
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> including power, lighting, control, and signal circuit wiring
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> together with all their associated hardware, fittings, and wiring devices,
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> both permanently and temporarily installed.
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> This includes
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> (a) wiring from the service point or power source to the outlets or
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> (b) wiring from and including the power source
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> to the outlets where there is no service point.
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### Inappropriate Use
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Notably, Chapter 3 does not prescribe requirements for _raceway_,
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but for _wiring installations_.
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As such, conduit used for other purposes
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(e.g. routing beverage tubing) is out of scope.
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Raceways used for supporting communications cables
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_would be_ out of scope, except for Article 800.110:
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> [!quote] NEC 800.110(A)(1) Raceways Recognized in Chapter 3
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> Communications wires and cables shall be permitted
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> to be installed in any raceway included in Chapter 3.
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> _The raceways shall be installed in accordance_
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> _with the requirements of Chapter 3._
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Raceway is not a _wiring method_
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unless it is used to support _premises wiring_,
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which communications cabling is not.
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It is not appropriate to say "EMT conduit is _a_ wiring method"
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(granted the NEC does use similar phrasing occasionally),
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because any recognized wiring method must include the
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* wiring,
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* splices,
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* pull boxes,
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* outlet boxes,
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* and supports
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necessary of a complete wiring installation,
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each of which has countless options.
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### Appropriate Use
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It may be appropriate to refer to "MC cable" as _a_ wiring method
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if you and your audience understand the name as shorthand
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for a more specific, standard framework.
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In a robustly implemented specification-based takeoff software,
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an assembly's specifications would describe it's wiring methods.
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A 20A and 30A branch circuit may utilize identical "wiring methods".
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## Takeaways
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No part of a manufactured cable assembly (e.g. MC cable)
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can be considered a raceway.
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It is usually incorrect to refer to wiring methods
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in the singular (e.g. installed in _a_ wiring method).
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