Conductors in metal wire ways, sizing.

Status
Not open for further replies.
W

wireman3736

Senior Member
Location
Vermont/Mass.
I would like to use a 12" X 12" wire way 12' long over 7 PVC conduits coming out of the ground in a building. Do I have to apply 314.28(A) (2) for angle pulls, there are 3-2.5" and 4-2" conduits, the 2.5" have 2-4/0 and 1-2/0 conductors each, the 2" has 2-1/0 and 1-#2 conductors each. at the opposite end I will be installing an 800 amp main panel on top of the wire way with nipples to the main panel. the wires were installed by another electrician and are short to reach the intended panel, I will be splicing the aluminum conductors in the wire way and continuing on to the main panel for termination. If I had to follow the requirements in 314.28 (A) (2) I would need a box 28" high, Reading 376.23 A & B I think as long as I meet the requirements for deflected conductors in 312.6(A) and since I'm using it as a splice box instead of a pull box I should be ok. any thoughts? Stan
 
366.58 Insulated Conductors.
(A) Deflected Insulated Conductors.
Where insulated conductors are deflected within an auxiliary gutter, either at the ends or where conduits, fittings, or other raceways or cables enter or leave the gutter, or where the direction of the gutter is deflected greater than 30 degrees, dimensions corresponding to one wire per terminal in Table 312.6(A) shall apply.
(B) Auxiliary Gutters Used as Pullboxes.
Where insulated conductors 4 AWG or larger are pulled through an auxiliary gutter, the distance between raceway and cable entries enclosing the same conductor shall not be less than that required in 314.28(A)(1) for straight pulls and 314.28(A)(2) for angle pulls.
 
376.23 (B) says used as pull boxes, since I'm using this as a splice box I don't think I need to size it to 314.28 (A) (2) but I am unsure, do others think this is a legal installation or not.:confused:
 
376.23(B) Metallic wireways used as pull boxes only refers you to 314.28(A)(2), It does not say anything about when using as a junction box. if 314.28 applies to wireways. Thats the big question
 
I think it may be important to determine if this item is:
366 - Aux. Gutter
376 - Wireway

While both articles dictate a max 75% (366.56(A) & 376.56(A) ).
366 does not mention the proviosions of 314.28(A)(2), whereas 376 does (376.23).

It may be of note to mention that the commentary following 366.6 states:
Auxiliary gutter sections and associated fittings are identical to those of wireways, and if listed by UL, bear the UL listing mark “Listed Wireway” or “Auxiliary Gutter.” They differ only in their intended use. See the commentary following 376.2 for a comparative discussion. Gutters (and wireways) are required to be constructed and installed to ensure adequate electrical and mechanical continuity of the complete system per 250.118(14).
Click to expand...
The commentary following 376.2 states:
Wireways are sheet-metal enclosures equipped with hinged or removable covers and are manufactured in 1-ft to 10-ft lengths and various widths and depths. Couplings, elbows, end plates, and accessories such as T and X fittings are available.
Unlike auxiliary gutters, which are not permitted to extend more than 30 ft from the equipment they supplement, wireways may be run throughout an entire area.
Click to expand...
So it this item an "Aux. Gutter" or a "wireway"?
 
Wireman,Since the conductors are leaving the opposite wall, (12' away), the minimum distance between raceways is 8 x 4", based on the largest raceway in the wireway, plus all the other raceways in the row or rows. Having a 12' wireway, you have more than enough room.The minimum height of the wireway will be based on the deflection of the largest size conductor leaving the raceway.312.6b is for conductors leaving the opposite wall.With 4/0 , you'll need a minimum size of 8". (7x 1").With the 12" height, you'll have enough room again.
Rick
edited to add i was thinking that you were using 4" nipples into the 800 amp panel.
 
Last edited:
wireman3736 said:
376.23 (B) says used as pull boxes, since I'm using this as a splice box I don't think I need to size it to 314.28 (A) (2) but I am unsure, do others think this is a legal installation or not.:confused:
Click to expand...
Article 314.28 is for Pull and Junction Boxes and Conduit Bodies and states: "Boxes and conduit bodies used as pull or junction boxes shall comply with 314.28(A) through (D)."
Wouldn't this apply to your situation?
 
bstoin said:
Article 314.28 is for Pull and Junction Boxes and Conduit Bodies and states: "Boxes and conduit bodies used as pull or junction boxes shall comply with 314.28(A) through (D)."
Wouldn't this apply to your situation?
Click to expand...
Yes, it would via 376.23
(B) Metallic Wireways Used as Pull Boxes Where insulated conductors 4 AWG or larger are pulled through a wireway, the distance between raceway and cable entries enclosing the same conductor shall not be less than that required by 314.28(A)(1) for straight pulls and 314.28(A)(2) for angle pulls.
 
bstoin said:
Article 314.28 is for Pull and Junction Boxes and Conduit Bodies and states: "Boxes and conduit bodies used as pull or junction boxes shall comply with 314.28(A) through (D)."
Wouldn't this apply to your situation?
Click to expand...
I guess what I would like to clarify is would an auxilliary gutter or metal wireway be considered a "pull or junction box," or is this a definition issue?
 
celtic said:
I think it may be important to determine if this item is:
366 - Aux. Gutter
376 - Wireway

While both articles dictate a max 75% (366.56(A) & 376.56(A) ).
366 does not mention the proviosions of 314.28(A)(2), whereas 376 does (376.23).

In my situation I think it could be called either. It will have 7 conduits run in the bottom at one end, the wires will be spliced and staggered to not exceed the fill, then run 12' horizontally and then up through 3" nipples into the 800 amp panel.

Both articles mention if used as a pull box, 376.23 (B) and 366.58 (B).

But both only say if used as a pull box then 314.28 (A) 1&2 applies,
I'm not using these as a pull box so the reference to 314 does not apply IMO, at least thats how I would like to interpit this.:grin:
Click to expand...
 
bstoin said:
Article 314.28 is for Pull and Junction Boxes and Conduit Bodies and states: "Boxes and conduit bodies used as pull or junction boxes shall comply with 314.28(A) through (D)."
Wouldn't this apply to your situation?
Click to expand...

the difference is 366 and 376 doesn't specify junction boxes only pull boxes, the wireway is being installed as a junction box not a pull box.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top