2. Chapter 10
Raceway Systems

3. Objectives
Become familiar with the many different types of raceway systems.
Understand the distinct uses of different types of raceways, based on the NEC.
Cut, prepare, and join various types of raceway materials.
Practice essential conduit bending techniques.
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

4. Raceway and Conduit Raceway Conduit
Enclosed channel housing wires, cables, or busbars
Conduit
Tubing or channel connecting boxes

5. Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)
Rigid conduit of galvanized steel
Connected with setscrew and compression couplings
Equipment grounding conductor

6. EMT Connections
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

7. Cutting Metal Conduit Hacksaw, reciprocating saw, pipe cutter
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

8. Reaming Metal Conduit
Remove burr after cutting with deburring tool or files
Burrs can damage insulation
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

9. Safety Note Metal shavings can cause serious eye damage
Always wear safety glasses when working with metal materials
Best habit is to wear protection at all times on jobsite

10. Bending Metal Conduit Field bend made on construction site
Conduit bender
Know minimum bend radius allowed by Code

11. Offset Bend Goes around obstruction or change in plane
Opposing bends that change conduit elevation
Shrink is shortening conduit due to bends
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

12. Offset Bend
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

13. Stub Bend
90° bend up or down to a box
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

14. Back-to-Back Bend Two 90° bends
Ends of conduit pointing in same direction
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

15. Box Offset Two 5° bends align conduit with knockout hole
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

16. Saddle Bend Two 22 ½ bends and one 45 bend
Around obstruction and returns to same elevation
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

17. Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing (ENT)
Flexible corrugated plastic
“Smurf tube” or “smurf”
Connects with snap fittings or bonding cement
Buried in concrete, behind walls
Cannot be buried in soil or left exposed

18. Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing (ENT)
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher; Carlon, Lamson & Sessions

19. Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)
Galvanized, smooth surfaces
“Heavy-wall conduit”
Connections with threaded fittings
Serves as equipment grounding conductor
Mast heads and exposed installations
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

20. RMC Connectors and Fittings
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

21. Code Alert RMC Bushings Section 344.46
Bushings to be used where rigid metal conduit enters a box, fitting, or other enclosure to protect wire from abrasion

22. Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC)
Heavy-duty, rigid conduit
All atmospheric conditions and occupancies
Joined with threaded fittings
Can serve as equipment ground
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

23. Rigid PVC Conduit (PVC)
Nonconductive polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic
Lighter and easier to work than metal conduit
Connect to metallic and nonmetallic boxes and conduit
Heat to bend
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

24. Joining Rigid PVC
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

25. Flexible Metal Conduit (FMC)
Spiral-wrapped metal conduit
Greenfield
Special couplings, locknuts, and bushings
Bends in EMT or rigid conduit
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

26. Code Alert Grounding and Bonding FMC Section 348.60
Grounding and bonding requirements for FMC
Grounding conductor must be used where vibration or flexibility
Used as equipment grounding conductor in accordance with Section (5)

27. Liquidtight Flexible Metal Conduit
Flexible steel or aluminum conduit
Plastic sheath makes it watertight
Goodheart-Willcox Publisher

28. Surface-Mount Raceway
System of hollow tracks or channels, boxes, fittings
Base and cover
Mounts to wall or ceiling
Electrical wiring and data cables
Dry locations not subject to damage