LFNC, poor choice or pro choice?

[Zee]

I have spent years running only EMT, possible rigid.
I certainly will not use PVC conduit (the hard kind like sched 40 or 80 ) unless underground.
(As discussed in other threads it is terrible in UV, for PV installs on roofs. Absolutely @#$%.)

HOWEVER, I have a new love for LFNC. The gray, soft, flexible NON-metallic PVC stuff.
I find it cheap and quick. I use it for short jumps between equipment on walls, or at weird angles .......and for gaps between solar panels, say around a vent that forces a gap in solar array, I'll just slide some on the Enphase cable or PV wire.
No grounding bushings (bane of my existence) or even fittings on the ends. No need to pipe bend on roof.

However it looks tacky.
Opinions?
Is it a matter of workmanship/pride in work?
Quality?
Code?

Discuss!

 

[letgomywago]

It can be a pain to pull and the from toos are lame.

 

[Eddie702]

I have only use it for short whips to AC units etc which it is fine for. I used about a 15' piece of 3/4" once which only had 3#12s and 2#14s in it and it really sucked pulling the wire in. It didn't have a lot of bends either

 

[kec]

I have only use it for short whips to AC units etc which it is fine for. I used about a 15' piece of 3/4" once which only had 3#12s and 2#14s in it and it really sucked pulling the wire in. It didn't have a lot of bends either

Install the nozzle of Kleins wire pulling lubricant in a can into it and you will be amazed at the ease of pulling wire.

 

[Eddie702]

Install the nozzle of Kleins wire pulling lubricant in a can into it and you will be amazed at the ease of pulling wire.

I am sure it would but with a raceway that is not very long and not loaded it seems a lot more difficult than it should be

 

[electrofelon]

Ok well you asked ......I absolutely hate LFNC and to me it screams hack and cheap. The stuff should be rounded up dumped in the deepest hole on earth. Then cover it with reinforced concrete and just for good measure put a layer of radioactive waste on top. Make possession of any a class A felony.

 

[Eddie702]

Ok well you asked ......I absolutely hate LFNC and to me it screams hack and cheap. The stuff should be rounded up dumped in the deepest hole on earth. Then cover it with reinforced concrete and just for good measure put a layer of radioactive waste on top. Make possession of any a class A felony.

Easy to cut and pretty rugged but I think the connectors are cheap and crappy and the conductors pull hard. I prefer LMFC

 

[solarken]

For short transitions or runs I think it looks fine as long as neatly installed and sufficient clamps in place. For longer runs, it tends to not looks as good. But PVC while easier to maintain straighter runs and consistent 90's, has aesthetic issues too since the glue often shows. I think the right conduit for the right application, no one solution.

 

[ggunn]

Ok well you asked ......I absolutely hate LFNC and to me it screams hack and cheap. The stuff should be rounded up dumped in the deepest hole on earth. Then cover it with reinforced concrete and just for good measure put a layer of radioactive waste on top. Make possession of any a class A felony.

Aw, c'mon man, don't sugar coat it. Tell us how you really feel.

 

[Fred B]

Only negative I have seen is the more than normal amount of these connections failing due to expansion/contraction. Liquid tight separating from the connector. Seems to have a greater expansion rate than solid PVC. Haven't looked, but does LFNC have a different expansion rating in the code Than PVC?

 

[tortuga]

However it looks tacky.
Opinions?
Is it a matter of workmanship/pride in work?
Quality?
Code?

Besides the tacky looks 356.12(2) limits the temperature rating of the wire you pull in to the limit of the LFNC's listing, and thats usually 60C.

 

[Zee]

For short transitions or runs I think it looks fine as long as neatly installed and sufficient clamps in place. For longer runs, it tends to not looks as good. But PVC while easier to maintain straighter runs and consistent 90's, has aesthetic issues too since the glue often shows. I think the right conduit for the right application, no one solution.

yep, it all depends. In some PV rooftop cases it is an improvement over exposed wire, as cheap as this LNFC may be. and radioactive too!

 

[Zee]

Ok well you asked ......I absolutely hate LFNC and to me it screams hack and cheap. The stuff should be rounded up dumped in the deepest hole on earth. Then cover it with reinforced concrete and just for good measure put a layer of radioactive waste on top. Make possession of any a class A felony.

YEp, I agree with you. 99% of the time LNFC is not the best option. But that 1%...man it works great!

 

[Zee]

Besides the tacky looks 356.12(2) limits the temperature rating of the wire you pull in to the limit of the LFNC's listing, and thats usually 60C.

and max. 6' runs too, right?

Seems to have a greater expansion rate than solid PVC. Haven't looked, but does LFNC have a different expansion rating in the code Than PVC?

Not sure about LFNC's coeff. of expansion.
PVC does expand 3x as much as metal conduit. Completely blew out solidly glued connections and boxes. Left THHN exposed to sun.

 

[MTW]

For the sake of my reputation, I couldn't consider using that outdoors exposed to the sun, especially if on the west coast.

Here in Michigan, it likely wouldn't fare much longer with plastic fittings and PVC construction. if it so much as get touched during the cold winters, the fittings would likely get broken.

Replacing parts of it once it's wired and connected, does not make economic sense, labor or materials.

Besides the flimsy appearance, wire temp limitations and additional strapping requirements. There wouldn't be much savings, only to need to rework it after a short lifespan. Charge enough to do it right the first time, and retain your reputation. The customer will approve, when they don't have to replace it a short time later. 2¢

 

[letgomywago]

and max. 6' runs too, right?

Not sure about LFNC's coeff. of expansion.
PVC does expand 3x as much as metal conduit. Completely blew out solidly glued connections and boxes. Left THHN exposed to sun.

The 6 ft limit is about support so long as it's strapped 3ft and 12 in to boxes you can have longer

 

[jim dungar]

Didn't the OP say he was using this as short sleeve and not as a complete raceway.

....I'll just slide some on the Enphase cable or PV wire.
No grounding bushings (bane of my existence) or even fittings on the ends.

A couple of inches of LFNC is probably better looking than the PV cable/ assemblies.

 

[ActionDave]

I like LFNC for it's durability. You lay the stuff on a gravel road and drive on it and not cause any damage. I hate the fittings. You turn your back and they fall out. Fix the fittings and I would use it all the time instead of LMFC.

 

[AC\DC]

Have you used these

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Arlington-NMLT5-1-2-Snap2It-Non-Metallic-Liquid-Tight-Push-On-Connector?utm_source=google_ad&utm_medium=Shopping_Electrical&utm_campaign=Shopping_X_Electrical_X_SSC_New&utm_campaignid=22402706596&utm_adgroupid=175772922445&utm_targetid=pla-472088250938&utm_product_id=NMLT5&utm_matchtype=&utm_keyword=&utm_adtype=pla&utm_category=Electrical&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22402706596&gbraid=0AAAAAD_WAysneQ6TBoud1crnvxv34cig9&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-NfDBhDyARIsAD-ILeB_tPu0A0-ana7brqV8sCNUjmlMsj8sFylnviCqn9xLRbXY8xkKGlQaAg34EALw_wcB

Never had a problem with them

I like LFNC for its durability. You lay the stuff on a gravel road and drive on it and not cause any damage. I hate the fittings. You turn your back and they fall out. Fix the fittings and I would use it all the time instead of LMFC.

 

[AC\DC]

Plus what you use is determined by were you live- I am on the ocean- metal blows got to use pvc products unless homeowner wants pvc coated rigid