Rai136926
Member
- Location
- seattle, wa
Does NEC allow CPVC to be used as electrical raceway?
CPVC
- Thread starter Rai136926
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petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- engineer
Are you referring to CPVC water pipe?
Rai136926
Member
- Location
- seattle, wa
Yes. I have a project where an engineer suggesting to use CPVC instead of PVC because of freeze point. I could not find CPVC listed in NEC as a raceway.
iceworm
Curmudgeon still using printed IEEE Color Books
- Location
- North of the 65 parallel
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- EE (Field - as little design as possible)
Interesting - Never heard of "freeze point" being a reason to use water pipe for electrical. Is there a "the rest of the story".
I've seen water pipe used for electrical, but usually in a building classification called, "homestead". :roll: Never in a project sufficient to have an engineer. Not that having an engineer made the difference; but rather if the project had an engineer, it likely was big enough there was material support.
Just a thought: If the issue is severe cold, heaving ground, and the like; and the concern is PVC is too wimpy/brittle in cold weather - and one can get material without waiting on an airplane or a ship, consider HDPE. I've used it a few times. It appears pretty indestructable. But I have never looked for any temp specs either.
edit to clarify a bit
ice
Last edited:
jumper
Senior Member
- Location
- 3 Hr 2 Min from Winged Horses
AFAICT CPVC is not a recognized/allowed raceway in the NEC.
Freeze point concerns in Seattle WA?:?
Seattle average weather.
Freeze point concerns in Seattle WA?:?
Seattle average weather.
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- engineer
It could be used as a sleeve for a cable that required no raceway.
iceworm
Curmudgeon still using printed IEEE Color Books
- Location
- North of the 65 parallel
- Occupation
- EE (Field - as little design as possible)
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
They don't have freezers in Seattle?
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
Please not 353.10 and 353.12, give us fairly limited places where HDPE can be used.
It certainly can not be used in all the places where PVC can be used, but PVC can be used almost anywhere HDPE can be used.
iceworm
Curmudgeon still using printed IEEE Color Books
- Location
- North of the 65 parallel
- Occupation
- EE (Field - as little design as possible)
Absolutely true. Of course one can get huge reels (no idea on the limit) And it is right at bullet proof.
And --- didn't say it was the right stuff for this application
Especially since - (drum roll) We don't know the application!
Me? I'm still waiting on, "The r......"
ice
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
- Occupation
- EC
All I have ever seen it used for is underground applications.
It adapts very well to PVC to emerge from grade, although technically I don't think you are supposed to use a standard PVC coupling to adapt. :angel:
353.6 says the raceway and associated fittings shall be listed, and I usually have seen standard PVC fittings used to adapt, but I'd bet they are not listed for the application.
RichB
Senior Member
- Location
- Tacoma, Wa
- Occupation
- Electrician/Electrical Inspector
We use it all the time --there is a special coupler designed for HDPE to PCV--it is kinda a screw on press fit for the HDPE side as the solvent in PVC glue will soften and ruin the HDPE--with a standard glued coupler for the PVC end--IIRC the breaking point of the HDPE side is around 700ftlbs--got a pic of it being tested somewhere if anyone is interested
Cavie
Senior Member
- Location
- SW Florida
tell the engineer to us schedule 80 if he is that concerned.
mgookin
Senior Member
- Location
- Fort Myers, FL
- Occupation
- Retired inspector, plans examiner & building official
Was the work done before the engineer was brought on board and now someone's trying to get out of trouble with AHJ?
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