350.30 (A) LFMC Exception 4 Fittings as Support

[lpfink]

I'm using a 2014 version of the NEC.

In 350.30(A) Exception 4 it states that "For the purposes of 350.30, listed LFMC fittings shall be permitted as a means of support". Does this mean that you do not need to support per 350.30(A) within 12 inches if you are using listed fittings? What other fittings would be used besides listed fittings?

A follow up question is: I noticed in 348.30(A) Exception 4 it says that "For the purposes of this exception, listed flexible metal conduit fittings shall be permitted as a means of support". These are practically the same except the only difference being that in 348.30(A) this seems to only apply to Exception 4 but in 350.30(A) it applies to all of 350.30?

 

[MNSparky]

Here's my take: When they say listed, they mean listed for use as means of support, not just listed as a FMC/LFMC fitting. Not too sure why the two articles are worded differently, but they are both in the exception that talks about equipment or luminaries above an accessible ceiling. So I'm taking it as I can run either type of conduit unsupported to a piece of equipment or luminaire at a maximum length of 6' if the fitting I use is listed as means of support.

I don't think the LMFC wording pertains to all of 350.30 or it would have its own Exception. I think it pertains only to Exception 4, it's just referencing the original wording in 350.30.

 

[lpfink]

MNSparky,


Thanks for your input! I asked Thomas & Betts if there are FMC/LFMC fittings listed as a means of support and they said they aren't aware of anything, but did say that the UL Standard for fittings includes a pull test.

This is also in the MC section under 330.30(D)(2) which is the "Unsupported Cables" section. However, they elaborate more to say: (D) "Type MC cable shall be permitted to be unsupported where the cable" (D)(2) "is not more than 6ft in length from the last point of cable support to the point of connection to the luminaires or other equipment and the cable and point of connection are within an accessible ceiling. For the purpose of this section, Type MC cable fittings shall be permitted as a means of support."

It seems like they are just reiterating that if on the other end of the 6ft length of cable or conduit (not the equipment/luminaire/device end) sits another fitting, it can be considered the "last point of support". What do you think?

 

[MNSparky]

MNSparky,


Thanks for your input! I asked Thomas & Betts if there are FMC/LFMC fittings listed as a means of support and they said they aren't aware of anything, but did say that the UL Standard for fittings includes a pull test.

This is also in the MC section under 330.30(D)(2) which is the "Unsupported Cables" section. However, they elaborate more to say: (D) "Type MC cable shall be permitted to be unsupported where the cable" (D)(2) "is not more than 6ft in length from the last point of cable support to the point of connection to the luminaires or other equipment and the cable and point of connection are within an accessible ceiling. For the purpose of this section, Type MC cable fittings shall be permitted as a means of support."

It seems like they are just reiterating that if on the other end of the 6ft length of cable or conduit (not the equipment/luminaire/device end) sits another fitting, it can be considered the "last point of support". What do you think?

Yes, what I think of when I read that is whipping to a troffer laid into a suspended ceiling. You can go a maximum of 6' from the last means of support to the fitting that connects to a troffer. You don't have to add a one hole strap within 12" of the fitting and screw it to the troffer.