Bare Grounded Conductor in a Metallic Service Raceway

[infinity]

Someone recent asked me if it is permitted to have a bare neutral conductor in a metallic service raceway. I've found some references to when the grounded conductor is insulated and how it it to be identified but I haven't found a definitive prohibition. Is there one?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I will look it up but I am almost positive it is okay

 

[infinity]

I will look it up but I am almost positive it is okay

That was my initial reaction but then the discussion became about the metallic service raceway being in contact with the neutral and carrying some of the neutral current.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

article 230.41

 

[Buck Parrish]

Exception 1 say's okay but, it's the size of the solid that would make a difference in any type of raceway.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Exception 1 say's okay but, it's the size of the solid that would make a difference in any type of raceway.

Buck you cannot run solid wire above #10 in a conduit.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Sorry Buck-- article 310.3

310.3 Stranded Conductors.
Where installed in raceways, conductors of size 8 AWG and larger shall be stranded.
Exception: As permitted or required elsewhere in this Code.

 

[Buck Parrish]

So exception 230.41 (1) Allows solid in a raceway to be bigger then 8 for a neutral.
You would have to show it to most inspectors.

 

[infinity]

So exception 230.41 (1) Allows solid in a raceway to be bigger then 8 for a neutral.
You would have to show it to most inspectors.

Buck why are you assuming that 230.41(1) refers to a solid conductor?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I am missing your point. 230.41 talks of bare wire not solid copper. Your post mentioned solid wire in the conduit-- I said violation

 

[Buck Parrish]

Ohhhh ! I'm awake now. I worked yesterday

 

[LarryFine]

I'm awake now. I worked yesterday

So, you're either working or you're awake? There's a scary concept.

 

[pete m.]

Someone recent asked me if it is permitted to have a bare neutral conductor in a metallic service raceway. I've found some references to when the grounded conductor is insulated and how it it to be identified but I haven't found a definitive prohibition. Is there one?

It would seem permissible per the exceptions to 230.41. It seems though that if it is a raceway it must be copper (230.41 exc. (1)). Then #4 to the exception would allow aluminum in the raceway only if it is underground. What seems even stranger is that it could be either aluminum or copper if installed in an auxiliary gutter.

Someone smarter than me (which isn't hard to find) will have to show me the logic here...

Pete

 

[don_resqcapt19]

That was my initial reaction but then the discussion became about the metallic service raceway being in contact with the neutral and carrying some of the neutral current.

The NEC not only permits parallel paths for neutral current on the line side of the service disconnect, it actually requires them in some cases. The metallic service raceway between the meter and the service disconnect is always in parallel with the grounded conductor and will carry some of that current.