We're based in canada and we're OEM. We would like to pre-wired our equipments and I would like to know if it is accepted by the NEC to use standard metal tubing (not EMT or RMC) inside our conveyors as a raceway. We would like to pull tray cable type TC-ER. Where subject to physical damage outside the conveyor, we will pull cable trough a liquid tight metal conduit.:-?
raceways in conveyor
- Thread starter danyt
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This would not directly be an NEC issue, you should contact UL or some other Nationally Recognized Testing Lab.
Even though it would not be an NEC issue, the AHJ would probably have to approve the equipment and could (probably would) use the NEC for guidelines if the equipment is not listed.
Roger
Even though it would not be an NEC issue, the AHJ would probably have to approve the equipment and could (probably would) use the NEC for guidelines if the equipment is not listed.
Roger
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- Semi-retired engineer
I don't see why you can't install it in a metal sleeve (such as metal tubing) as a means of protecting the cabling.
I can't imagine that there is any kind of metal tubing you can get that is cheaper than EMT though. Why not just use it if you feel the need to put the cable inside a metal tube?
The reality is that the wiring within a piece of equipment is generally not subject to the NEC, as it only covers the installation of equipment, not what is within the equipment. However, that does not mean an over eager inspector might decide to stick his nose in where it really should not belong, but its tough to prevent that.
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Petersonra,
We use a lot of tubing, so that's the reason why we will use them as a raceway... I know that EMT is cheaper, but my biggest concern is the total square section of the conduit, witch will be less in a 2" conduit than a 3x2" tubing:smile: Also, the only meaning of the tubing is to protect the cabling. I'm happy that it is not part of the NEC when it refer to the equipment. For sure, the rest of the installation will comply with the NEC by using proper protection and J-Box :smile: I'll try to find more information about what we're trying to do!! Because, for sure, I don't want to redo the whole electrical installation once is completed!!!
Tks
We use a lot of tubing, so that's the reason why we will use them as a raceway... I know that EMT is cheaper, but my biggest concern is the total square section of the conduit, witch will be less in a 2" conduit than a 3x2" tubing:smile: Also, the only meaning of the tubing is to protect the cabling. I'm happy that it is not part of the NEC when it refer to the equipment. For sure, the rest of the installation will comply with the NEC by using proper protection and J-Box :smile: I'll try to find more information about what we're trying to do!! Because, for sure, I don't want to redo the whole electrical installation once is completed!!!
Tks
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- Semi-retired engineer
This is a tough situation since inspectors often feel they have some mandate to demand machinery be made the way they think it should be made, regardless of their level of knowledge and skills regarding such machines, or whether there is even a code violation involved.
take a look at 336.10(7). It seems to specifically allow what you are doing.
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