Bending radius of single conductor cable

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edavis2293

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Where in the NEC is the bending radius of single conductor cable addressed, 600v and less including smaller than #4. Does the NEC address the minimum bending radius of bare cable used for grounding underground: any size?
 
Re: Bending radius of single conductor cable

I thought a cable has to have two or more conductors.

Article 100,

Conductor, Covered.

Conductor, Insulated.

See 300.34 Conductor Bending Radius.
 
Re: Bending radius of single conductor cable

In refineries, chemical plants, and other industrial facilities a conductor is often referred to as a single conductor cable especially the larger sizes.

Thanks for your response.
 
Re: Bending radius of single conductor cable

Interesting. I don't suppose the cable type you're looking for is in the NEC then.
 
Re: Bending radius of single conductor cable

physis - I bothers me when I hear regular old building wire called "cable". Even 500,600,or 750 is wire.
However, I am comfortable with single-conductor medium voltage cables, welding cable, DLO cable, etc. being called "cable".
As we know you "hear" all kinds of things.
I do not like hearing EMT called "conduit".

[ April 26, 2005, 08:05 PM: Message edited by: kiloamp7 ]
 
Re: Bending radius of single conductor cable

Originally posted by kiloamp7:
physis - I bothers me when I hear regular old building wire called "cable". Even 500,600,or 750 is wire.
Click to expand...
Nope those would be conductors. :D

Wire is what my coat hangers are made of. ;)
 
Re: Bending radius of single conductor cable

Sorry guys. Looks like I shot a little high with that question. The first time single conductor cable is written is 200.6 and several times after that. If you have a handbook, you will see the term dozens of times. If you have an electronic version, you will get tired of looking at it. Cable tray, grounding, and MC cables are some of the main problems. Thanks anyway, I'll keep to the industrials folks with these type questions.
 
Re: Bending radius of single conductor cable

iwire - yes, by NEC language, they are "conductors".

edavis - watch it. There are a lot of electrical professionals on this Forum.
Many of us are "hard-core industrial".

I cannot answer your original question about bending radius of single-conductor "cable".
Perhaps a manufacturer could help.
But a quick look does show that NEC does address for MC & MI cables.
 
Re: Bending radius of single conductor cable

Why shouldn't EMT be called conduit??? I know the "T's" for "tubing", but doesn't everyone refer to it as "conduit"??

I'll bet you get really irate when someone calls a conduit a "pipe" :)
 
Re: Bending radius of single conductor cable

I was gonna say that Steve, pipe has always bugged me a little. I call it conduit all the time. But then I don't use much rigid or I might use different names to deliniate.
 
Re: Bending radius of single conductor cable

Some guys still call it that. It's pretty descriptive when you consider you can't thread it.
 
Re: Bending radius of single conductor cable

For the past 54 yrs that I have been in the trade, the term "Cable" has been used to refer to a conductor that had insulation plus an outer jacket as well as individual conductors with only insulation. UL refers to "Cable Limiters", they are installed on individual conductors that have insulation only and no outer protective covering. For example, welding cable is a single conductor, it has only insulation on it. "Cablebus" consists of individual insulated conductors mounted on insulators in an enclosed assembly. "Cable Trays" are support systems for multiconductor insulated cables or single insulated cables. I would say that "CABLE" is an umbrella that covers many different types of conductors. Perhaps a Code definition that is applicable only to the NEC would be valid. Who wants to volunteer??
 
Re: Bending radius of single conductor cable

I wont disagree with you John. None the less it's easy to be thrown off by terminology. I'm no less guilty than anyone else either.

Edit: Can't spell.

[ April 27, 2005, 11:10 PM: Message edited by: physis ]
 
Re: Bending radius of single conductor cable

Perhaps a new definition of cable would be appropriate, especially single conductor. It was previously mentioned about manufacturers recommendations concerning bending. I use the one by Okonite and haven't experienced any problems. Bare grounding cable entering test wells was debated with an inspector and he gave us the benefit of the doubt. A ground ring of 4/0 was specified and when the cable was bent, the strands began to separate.

I would like to give more thought how to address the question within the NEC to establish a procedure for single conductor conductor cable similar to multi-conductor cable.

Thanks
 
Re: Bending radius of single conductor cable

EDavis: I would like to know what NEC section the inspector was going to use reject the installation? John c
 
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