Is a bare EGC permitted in RNC?

[George Stolz]

This thread got me thinking and looking.

Suppose I have a 1/2" run of Schedule 40 containing a 20A circuit.

Could I run a an insulated hot, neutral, and leave the EGC uninsulated?

 

[bphgravity]

Yes. 250.119

 

[iwire]

Could I run a an insulated hot, neutral, and leave the EGC uninsulated?

That would work better than uninsulated hot and neutrals.

Kidding aside why not?

 

[George Stolz]

I'll get there.

Okay, so now change it to EMT. Same answer?

 

[roger]

Are you going after the dissimilar metals angle?

Roger

 

[bphgravity]

Okay, so now change it to EMT. Same answer?

Yes. 250.119

 

[iwire]

Okay, so now change it to EMT. Same answer?

Why not?


You got some problem with naked wires ?

 

[George Stolz]

Well, I'm trying to understand why a specific wiring method was singled out in the thread mentioned in my OP. If all wiring methods in the list can contain uninsulated EGCs, then why is AC special in Article 518?

Are you going after the dissimilar metals angle?

I wasn't when I first brought it up, but I wouldn't mind discussing it again. For example, Rick mentioned that angle in the other thread; instinctively, we believe such a rule exists when in reality I don't think it does.

 

[roger]

I wasn't when I first brought it up, but I wouldn't mind discussing it again. For example, Rick mentioned that angle in the other thread; instinctively, we believe such a rule exists when in reality I don't think it does.

It depends on how someone interprets and/or applies 358.12(6) or the 3xx.14 sections.


Roger

 

[George Stolz]

It depends on how someone interprets and/or applies 358.12(6) or the 3xx.14 sections.

That is perfect! I don't see how it could be applied any other way, unless we take it for granted that EGCs will not under any circumstances be conducting current in other than fault conditions.

Thanks for that, Roger!

Anyone disagree?

 

[tom baker]

I recommend the EGC in conduit, metal or not, be insulated, as in a ground fault it will get hot and could damage the adjacent conductors.

 

[LarryFine]

I recommend the EGC in conduit, metal or not, be insulated, as in a ground fault it will get hot and could damage the adjacent conductors.

Doesn't the heating require more time than the protective device is supposed to allow? After all, look how small some EGC's may be compared to the corresponding circuit conductors.