CCC, Nuetrals.....again

Status
Not open for further replies.
kwired said:
Some will say 3/4 is minimum size to run even if all you intend to pull is 2- #14.:blink:
Click to expand...

So did ya believe them:p

I run 1/2" all the time, sure it can be nicer in some cases to have 3/4" on long runs or runs with over 2 90? bends, but I weigh each installation to what is needed, If I only need 1/2" then that is what I run, I don't feel that the customer should be paying for the biggest and best just because I want to make it a little easier on myself, of course if that is their choice then have at it, but it is their money, but for home runs to an area yes it is almost always 3/4" which allows 16-12awg's but derating would keep you at 12 if on a 3-phase WYE, which is senseless to run a larger conduit, even single phase would allow three MWBC's in a 1/2" which is 9 conductors, for 14awg a 1/2" would allow 4 MWBC's, that is 8 15 amp circuits which to me would be a good home run, one time I had to stop one of our workers because he was running 3/4" EMT to everything receptacles switch's and lights, even when it only had 2 conductors, I asked him why and he said that it was required by code on commercial, I went to my truck and got my code book and asked him to find it, of course he couldn't but it goes to show how a preference can get turned around to someone thinking it is a requirement by code, but for the most part, I agree that home runs are better run in 3/4" and unless I'm dealing with larger circuits I would never use 1" just because you would never reach the fill limit of 3/4" before hitting the magic 9 number when derating hits smaller circuits, 3 #10awg MWBC's would be the limit for 3/4" but a 1" would only allow you to run just one more MWBC before derating would hit, so to me it would not make sense to run 1" unless I needed 4 30 amp circuits at one location, still I would be better to just run two 3/4" and allow a little extra room for maybe some other circuits, generally I do a take off on what circuits I need in a area then select my conduits that will meet my needs, but I do see allot of waste on over sizing one job I was looking at had almost every home run ran in 1 1/4" which was a way over kill for 15 and 20 amp circuits, it is also a red flag for inspectors to check wire count when they see this.

Ya I know I'm rambling again, but what better way to wind down after working a double:p
 
For 20A circuits I run 1/2" all the time. I don't understand all the fuss about 3/4 homeruns. Similar to the fuss about MWBC it seems to come down to..... however you were taught is the way that seems right.

I never knew a day of wiring without MWBC so I never thought they were scary or a threat to anybody's domestic tranquillity.

Same thing with 1/2" for homeruns. "You should always use 3/4" for homeruns it's easier." Phooey! No it's not. It just takes up more space and costs more. You can't put more than nine 12's in anyway.

I never knew a day where we didn't use 1/2" for homeruns on 20A circuits, full boats in all of them. It's not hard to pull, been doing it since the '90's and I don't have a bad back. One time for an office remodel we pulled twelve 12AWG in 1/2" because after we ran the pipe the office furniture people insisted on a isolated ground and one two wire circuit. Boss said do it so we did. Even that wasn't hard; no soap needed to get the wires in. Rambilin' over here too.
 
ActionDave said:
For 20A circuits I run 1/2" all the time. I don't understand all the fuss about 3/4 homeruns. Similar to the fuss about MWBC it seems to come down to..... however you were taught is the way that seems right.

I never knew a day of wiring without MWBC so I never thought they were scary or a threat to anybody's domestic tranquillity.

Same thing with 1/2" for homeruns. "You should always use 3/4" for homeruns it's easier." Phooey! No it's not. It just takes up more space and costs more. You can't put more than nine 12's in anyway.

I never knew a day where we didn't use 1/2" for homeruns on 20A circuits, full boats in all of them. It's not hard to pull, been doing it since the '90's and I don't have a bad back. One time for an office remodel we pulled twelve 12AWG in 1/2" because after we ran the pipe the office furniture people insisted on a isolated ground and one two wire circuit. Boss said do it so we did. Even that wasn't hard; no soap needed to get the wires in. Rambilin' over here too.
Click to expand...

LOL yep been in the trade long enough to have seen many things.

But yes 1/2" home runs in many cases can be much easier to run when you don't need more circuits that it can handle, but I do try to limit the amount of home runs by using a larger pipe to an area that they are needed, making one 3/4" run can be much better then having to make 2 or three 1/2" runs, but like you over the years I have seen where someone made three or four 1/2" runs from the panel to the same junction box that made no sense to me when two 3/4" runs would have done the same job with less work and or cost, I thought well maybe that was all he had on the truck that day and did it to get the job done?

Also I agree bending 3/4" or 1" pipe all day is not my choice of a fun day when you can run 1/2" much easier, especially when you got to try to get into holes in studs or floor joist over head
 
kwired said:
Some will say 3/4 is minimum size to run even if all you intend to pull is 2- #14.:blink:
Click to expand...

I said some, not me.

I am just as much of a king of 1/2 conduit as you guys.

Though I have stayed away from 1/2 inch PVC for underground applications to some extent, especially if schedule 80 is going to be in the run.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top