Bompa
Member
- Location
- Bremerton, WA
Back in 2009 a member with the user name of "Masher" asked an interesting question as to whether a short length of Sealtite (say 11") could be installed with the only support being the two fittings at each end. With the changes in the wording for the 2011 NEC, I'd like to reopen that question.
Exception No. 2 to 350.30(A) has been changed seemingly taking away part of the exception for the need for flexibility issue that most people cited as justification for not supporting short lengths. The wording for the exception now reads:
"Where flexibility is necessary after installation, lengths from the last point where the raceway is securely fastened shall not exceed the following: ... " And it goes on to list the applicable lengths for various sizes, such as three feet for flex of 1-1/4" or less. (The underlined portion is the 2011 change.)
We all know there are thousands (maybe millions) of sections of unsupported flex out there. Is such an installation illegal per code? NFPA's Code Handbook makes the point that the two fittings on the end are not considered "support".
Exception No. 2 to 350.30(A) has been changed seemingly taking away part of the exception for the need for flexibility issue that most people cited as justification for not supporting short lengths. The wording for the exception now reads:
"Where flexibility is necessary after installation, lengths from the last point where the raceway is securely fastened shall not exceed the following: ... " And it goes on to list the applicable lengths for various sizes, such as three feet for flex of 1-1/4" or less. (The underlined portion is the 2011 change.)
We all know there are thousands (maybe millions) of sections of unsupported flex out there. Is such an installation illegal per code? NFPA's Code Handbook makes the point that the two fittings on the end are not considered "support".