312.5 C would this apply to bare GEC ?
- Thread starter acrwc10
- Start date
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
I agree with Roger but I wonder how large of a KO can you actually use with a single GEC? We've all seen the tiny 3/8 KO's in panels specifically designed for the GEC but could you just use a 1" KO if you wanted to?
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
I believe any opening larger than 1/8" would negate the Type rating of the enclosure. So, if you used a clamp in that 1" KO you would probably be okay.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
It's strange that the NEC doesn't have any guidance on this. It simply requires an unused open to be closed. A 1" KO with a GEC run through it would not be unused so it would not require some type of closure.
wwhitney
Senior Member
- Location
- Berkeley, CA
- Occupation
- Retired
312.5(C) does not apply to a bare GEC, as it applies "where cable is used". A single bare conductor is not a cable.
But 312.5(A) still applies to the bare GEC. It says "Openings through which conductors enter shall be closed in an approved manner."
Cheers, Wayne
But 312.5(A) still applies to the bare GEC. It says "Openings through which conductors enter shall be closed in an approved manner."
Cheers, Wayne
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
This sections needs some work. For starters 312.5 would prohibit using any hole through the enclosure unless it had some sort of abrasion protection. That means that the 3/8" holes provided by the manufacturer for the GEC cannot be used unless you want to assume that the wording in 312.5 that says "Conductors entering enclosures within the scope of this article" does not apply to GEC's.
And along with that the same thing could be said about surface mount dryer receptacles.
It certainly is not closed to insects or even mice. Not my picture but I've always wondered about it.
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
Isn't closing is to prevent people contact? Ventilated transformers are clearly not insect or mice proof.
This is why UL allows mounting and other holes. I think they have a probe that is used to determine if contact with live parts is possible.
I think it's both. Rodents and insects can cause a lot of damage in load centers and devices. I don't think ventilated transformers would be quite as much a concern, but that is just my thoughts.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
As I recall the specified UL test probe is 1/2" in diameter and 4" long, but the tip is 3/16" and tapers to the 1/2" over 9/16" of a inch.