Wire Trough

M

mannyb

Senior Member
Location
Florida
Occupation
Electrician
Can I punch a hole between 2 metal enclosures and use as a raceway. I have a main distribution panel that I want to bolt right next to an enclosure without pipe. Other than factory is it possible to fabricate and what would I use.
 
The title of the thread says wire trough so I assumed that there is a wireway involved. If there is a space between the enclosures too wide for a chase nipple a running thread can be used.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
You need something more than just two aligned holes in the two enclosures. If the enclosures are tight against each other, you would use a chase nipple.
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Why? The code allows us to fabricate our own NEMA 1 metal wireways and gutters. They are required to be listed just permanently identified with the manufacturer. As such I can modify the can by cutting a hole in it, protecting the edges with suitable round edged edge protection strips and firmly securing the two cans together with bolts or rivets no more than 12" apart, in my opinion. Per article 376.
 
Strathead said:
Why? The code allows us to fabricate our own NEMA 1 metal wireways and gutters. They are required to be listed just permanently identified with the manufacturer. As such I can modify the can by cutting a hole in it, protecting the edges with suitable round edged edge protection strips and firmly securing the two cans together with bolts or rivets no more than 12" apart, in my opinion. Per article 376.
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Even though the title says "trough", I am reading the language in post #1 that says to me that the right wall of one enclosure is physically tight against the left wall of the second enclosure and that there are aligning holes in the two enclosure walls, but no protection for the conductors running through those holes.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
Even though the title says "trough", I am reading the language in post #1 that says to me that the right wall of one enclosure is physically tight against the left wall of the second enclosure and that there are aligning holes in the two enclosure walls, but no protection for the conductors running through those holes.
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Yeah the title is somewhat confusing when you read the contents of the OP. I think that you may be correct in your assumption.
 
Most metal wireways I have used can either take end caps or you can order a coupling if you wanted to attach another section. They make 90's as well to go around a corner. I have wrapped them around electric rooms before.
 
electrofelon said:
I am not aware of any code supporting that. In some areas it common to just cut out a big hole and put some edge guard around it. I can't find a code violation for that.
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Would the two enclosures still require some mechanical connection to each other like being bolted together?
 
Rick 0920 said:
Most metal wireways I have used can either take end caps or you can order a coupling if you wanted to attach another section. They make 90's as well to go around a corner. I have wrapped them around electric rooms before.
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There is flanges for connecting to other enclosures that have smooth rounded edges for your cutout into the other enclosure as well. Connection to the wireway is basically same thing as end caps, couplings, elbows., etc.

Most the time you don't really need full cross section though and use of a round standard size KO opening and something like a chase nipple is quicker and cost less.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
Even though the title says "trough", I am reading the language in post #1 that says to me that the right wall of one enclosure is physically tight against the left wall of the second enclosure and that there are aligning holes in the two enclosure walls, but no protection for the conductors running through those holes.
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I agree that is the basics of what the OP is asking, and "as long as you protect the edges and secure them together properly would be the answer."
 
Strathead said:
and secure them together properly
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Does the applicable code mention anything like "mechanical continuity"? I believe the sections for many other "raceways" does use this sort of wording.

Electrical continuity applies as well but bonding jumpers can fulfill that requirement
 
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