C-CONDULETS

[infinity]

I kind of thought about that after posting. What if we have a combination of 4 AWG and greater as well as smaller than 4 AWG, what if it is marked max 3 -1/0 and I want to pull 4 -#4? Something tells me the 4-#4 will likely not be damaged in any way if installed yet it is not marked for this.

I really don't quite understand why there is not just a maximum size conductor marked on it instead of size and quantity like there usually is, yet from experience I kind of see that in some cases you could get 3 of one size in there but not a 4th without subjecting it to damage, but reduce the conductor and maybe the 4th will be no problem.

The issue here is that we're dealing with an exception to the rule. In reality the NEC wants us to use a C condulet that's 8X's the raceway size. This exception is a little bonus even if it's somewhat limited by what the manufacturer has marked on the inside. If electricians stopped using them to get more than 360? in an overall run of conduit the problem would be solved.

As you've noted it could certainly be easier to pull more than three smaller conductors into a C without damage than it would be to pull what's stamped on the inside but the NEC makes no allowance for us to do so therefore install at your own risk.

 

[RUWired]

Here is some more food for thought to calculating multiple size conductor fill or more than the said rated conductors in a condulet, although it is not code per say, maybe an inspector would agree if you did all the math.

http://www.carlonsales.com/techinfo/codesstandards/CS-LB_Conduit_Body_Wirefill.pdf