Fri Picture-22 #12 wires in a 3/4" RMC

[tom baker]

This is a picture of 22 #12 THHW wires in a 3/4" RMC conduit. Note the code maximum is 14.
I had another run installed at the same time of 7 #10 and 2 #12 in a 3/4" RMC, those I managed to pull out with a tugger. The 22 are there forever.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Pray tell, how did they get all those wires in there in the first place. I guess that yellow pulling compound is all dried up solid inside that pipe so they won't move now.

 

[mivey]

The 22 are there forever.

Use both hands. :grin:

 

[tom baker]

It ran thru liquid tight and I couldn't pull off the male adapter. I cut the wires off with a sawzall. They were perfectly lined up with no twists, must of taken some time to line up all the spools. I forgot to mention it was solid wire. I hate solid wire.

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

It ran thru liquid tight and I couldn't pull off the male adapter. I cut the wires off with a sawzall. They were perfectly lined up with no twists, must of taken some time to line up all the spools. I forgot to mention it was solid wire. I hate solid wire.

I would try to pull 1 wire at a time and let them stretch a bit without breaking. That just might be enough to get them started. How long is run and how many bends ?

 

[jeremysterling]

Pray tell, how did they get all those wires in there in the first place. I guess that yellow pulling compound is all dried up solid inside that pipe so they won't move now.

I use to work for a guy who calculated wire fill with a 3/4" close nipple and around two-dozen 6" lengths of #12 TEF. When he couldn't shove as many as were required, we'd up-size the conduit. This was not for NEC covered work.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

I use to work for a guy who calculated wire fill with a 3/4" close nipple and around two-dozen 6" lengths of #12 TEF. When he couldn't shove as many as were required, we'd up-size the conduit. This was not for NEC covered work.

There is no limit for a close nipple and that wouldn't be hard but a pull underground thru RMC-- 3/4" no less, with that many wires could be a bear but obviously doable.

 

[ivsenroute]

Lube and initially try one at a time. Try...............

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

There is a good reason to install so many conductors in a raceway...to make it watertite.

 

[infinity]

There is no limit for a close nipple and that wouldn't be hard but a pull underground thru RMC-- 3/4" no less, with that many wires could be a bear but obviously doable.

Actually close nipples have a fill limit of 60%. Chapter 9 Notes to tables #4. According to the wording this would not apply to a chase nipple.

 

[ivsenroute]

There is a good reason to install so many conductors in a raceway...to make it watertite.

Or trying to comply with 514.9

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Actually close nipples have a fill limit of 60%. Chapter 9 Notes to tables #4. According to the wording this would not apply to a chase nipple.

You are correct. I was thinking about sleeves. Why a sleeve can be filled 100% and a nipple cannot is a bit odd to me especially without any limit to the length of the sleeve. Note #2. :-?

 

[ibew501ed]

You are correct. I was thinking about sleeves. Why a sleeve can be filled 100% and a nipple cannot is a bit odd to me especially without any limit to the length of the sleeve. Note #2. :-?

Is that an interpretation of chapter 9 table 1 note 2?

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Is that an interpretation of chapter 9 table 1 note 2?

Are you asking me if my statement is my interpretation? Well yeah but how else can that be read.

Notes to Tables

(2) Table 1 applies only to complete conduit or tubing systems and is not intended to apply to sections of conduit or tubing used to protect exposed wiring from physical damage.

 

[ibew501ed]

Are you asking me if my statement is my interpretation? Well yeah but how else can that be read.

just checking WHERE you got it from since a sleeve could be a long pipe I thought fill requirements would apply

 

[Dennis Alwon]

just checking WHERE you got it from since a sleeve could be a long pipe I thought fill requirements would apply

That was my point. A short nipple had requirements but a sleeve with no length mentioned can be filled up without reference to this Table. :-?

 

[Regularkevin]

I was on a job recently and we'd have issues with pulling wire through or back out... my JW used diet coke as a temporary lubricant. Apparently the bubbles get in there and let everything slide around.

 

[tom baker]

The total run was 20ft with 2 90 degree bends, one end transitioned to a short length of LT.
The other end went to a 6x6x6 malleable box. I'll post a picture of that later.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

The total run was 20ft with 2 90 degree bends, one end transitioned to a short length of LT.
The other end went to a 6x6x6 malleable box. I'll post a picture of that later.

Maybe they pulled the raceway around the conductors...

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

I was on a job recently and we'd have issues with pulling wire through or back out... my JW used diet coke as a temporary lubricant. Apparently the bubbles get in there and let everything slide around.

Not sure about diet coke but i do know reg. coke is an acid. Not sure if that is good idea or not. Maybe some WD40.
Being run is short i would try to pull 1 strand at a time even if it breaks untill enough are out to pull the rest out. We as electricians should never need face messes like this. My findings have been i can often pull out even very long runs easily that took 4 men and tugger to get them in. Not above using rope and truck or lift to get them out. Get it started and they will come out.