Nema Rating/schedule 40 PVC
- Thread starter kec
- Start date
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- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Please explain what a NEMA-2 rating is
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer
If by that you mean NEMA environmental specifications, as in NEMA 1, 3R, 4, 12 etc., the NEMA 2 is basically NEMA 1 + it is "Drip Tight", meaning FALLING (but not wind driven, hose directed, sprayed etc.) drops of water will not enter and build up inside of electrical equipment.
As a general rule, CONDUIT does not have a NEMA rating, but how it enters and exits enclosures would. If you glue PVC pipe and use proper fittings, yes, it would exceed NEMA 2 environmental specs.
Ps (after seeing your post):
Technically, your fire suppression company was not correct. The CONDUIT is not going to have a NEMA rating, just the FITTINGS for entering the enclosure. We don't know how you did that though. If you used sealing lock nuts or came in through Meyers hubs, that would exceed NEMA 2 requirements. Whether an AJH has a problem with that is another matter. TECHNICALLY, Meyers hubs are listed for use with GRC conduit, as are most sealing lock nuts. But threaded male adapters for PVC are using the EXACT same threads as GRC. I personally have never had an AHJ question it, but I've heard stories of nasty ones that do.
Case in point:
As a general rule, CONDUIT does not have a NEMA rating, but how it enters and exits enclosures would. If you glue PVC pipe and use proper fittings, yes, it would exceed NEMA 2 environmental specs.
Ps (after seeing your post):
Technically, your fire suppression company was not correct. The CONDUIT is not going to have a NEMA rating, just the FITTINGS for entering the enclosure. We don't know how you did that though. If you used sealing lock nuts or came in through Meyers hubs, that would exceed NEMA 2 requirements. Whether an AJH has a problem with that is another matter. TECHNICALLY, Meyers hubs are listed for use with GRC conduit, as are most sealing lock nuts. But threaded male adapters for PVC are using the EXACT same threads as GRC. I personally have never had an AHJ question it, but I've heard stories of nasty ones that do.
Case in point:
sealing locknut
Had an inspector say that a sealing locknut was not listed for use with a pvc ta. If you use pvc entry into the verticle wall of a 3 r panel is this not ok? He said that a sealing locknut was on listed for rigid steel pipe.I always use a meyers hub on the top of 3r panels but have used sealing...
forums.mikeholt.com
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I agree and this controller is in a weatherproof building so no rain,water, dust etc, will not enter the cabinet.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
Entries in bottom or in sides below live components don't effect watertightness for falling water, can be an issue with pressurized spray or wind driven rain or similar though.
That said some inspectors are pretty anal about a set screw type fitting in bottom of an enclosure in such situations though logically it really shouldn't matter.
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer
If it is an inspector griping about it that's one thing, but if it is another contractor, I would just ignore them.
They know not of what they speak.
They know not of what they speak.
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