Spacing between conduits when conduit enter wireway

[Tainted]

If I have (15) 2-inch conduits entering a wireway from the top of the wireway, how far apartment must the conduits be from each other? I remember looking at it in code somewhere but I can't for the life of me find it.

 

[infinity]

They only need to be far enough apart so that you can get the locknuts on.

 

[Tainted]

They only need to be far enough apart so that you can get the locknuts on.

I've always thought there was a code requirement to the spacing... guess not

from an electrician's point of view, approximately how far apart is good enough with the locknuts? (asking cause I'm an engineer with no field installing experience)

 

[electrofelon]

I've always thought there was a code requirement to the spacing... guess not

from an electrician's point of view, approximately how far apart is good enough with the locknuts? (asking cause I'm an engineer with no field installing experience)

well if you have some of the pipe sizes memorized, a 2" connector is about 2-3/8 diameter. I would say you would want about 3/8" minimum on either side for the locknut so 3-1/8 centers. I usually like to leave enough space between the conduits to get a strut straps on with the conduits all in, but sometimes that eats up too much space so you can go tighter and the installer will have to put them on as they go.

 

[infinity]

For 2" I would like a minimum of 1" spacing between the knock outs. For larger raceways 1.5" is better.

 

[Tainted]

If the conduit goes to the right or left when entering the wireway, does it have to follow angle pull like for a pullbox?

 

[kwired]

If the conduit goes to the right or left when entering the wireway, does it have to follow angle pull like for a pullbox?

Yes, but that more of an issue for distance to opposite wall of the wireway than for distance between raceway entries.

Six times raceway diameter for angle or U pulls 8 times for straight pulls.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

If the conduit goes to the right or left when entering the wireway, does it have to follow angle pull like for a pullbox?

The pull box dimensions only apply to a wireway that is being used as a pull box. Being used as a pull box is not defined in the NEC. 376.23(B)

If the wire way is not being used as a pull box, and the conductors are deflected, 376.23(A) says you apply the dimensions for one wire per terminal from Table 312.6(A).

 

[jim dungar]

I liked using a handbook, Ferraz Shawmut Book of Electrical Information, that had all sorts of helpful practical stuff, kind of like an Ugly's book.

A 2" steel lock nut should have an outside diameter of 2-31/32, so electronfelon's estimate is reasonable.

 

[kwired]

I liked using a handbook, Ferraz Shawmut Book of Electrical Information, that had all sorts of helpful practical stuff, kind of like an Ugly's book.

A 2" steel lock nut should have an outside diameter of 2-31/32, so electronfelon's estimate is reasonable.

I generally figure outside diameter of standard lock nuts is almost never larger than the diameter of KO punch cup for that size KO. Myers hubs are usually larger so need to take that into consideration when those will be used.

 

[electrofelon]

I liked using a handbook, Ferraz Shawmut Book of Electrical Information, that had all sorts of helpful practical stuff, kind of like an Ugly's book.

A 2" steel lock nut should have an outside diameter of 2-31/32, so electronfelon's estimate is reasonable.

I almost always get paranoid if I have to make my punch outs on the tight side, so I l lay the lock nuts right on the cabinet before I commit!

 

[electrofelon]

And if space is really really tight, you can always interlock the lock nuts

 

[electrofelon]

I've got 2 2" locknuts here. The "I-swear-these-things-get-thinner-and-cheaper-every-single- time-I-buy-one" one is 2-7/8 across the teeth. The nice malleable iron one is 3"

 

[Tulsa Electrician]

If raceway is entering the wire wire be sure to allow spacing for securing and supporting.
To close and it's hard to get straps on. I would also make sure there enough room for bushings.

Be sure your layout works before you start drilling.

 

[infinity]

Also the clarify my previous post I'm speaking on the spacing between the KO's being a minimum of 1" for a 2" raceway. If you're using EMT the space between the raceways will be larger than the spacing between the KO'S. If you spaced 2" EMT with 1" between each adjacent raceway the KO's might be too close together get the locknuts on.

 

[AC\DC]

we use to just use a short chunk of 3/4 rigid to spaces all are gaps regardless of size. Looked nice, on strut. and gave us enough room for sizes up to 3" for the lock nuts.

 

[electrofelon]

Also the clarify my previous post I'm speaking on the spacing between the KO's being a minimum of 1" for a 2" raceway. If you're using EMT the space between the raceways will be larger than the spacing between the KO'S. If you spaced 2" EMT with 1" between each adjacent raceway the KO's might be too close together get the locknuts on.

I just did a deep dive on conduit and EMT sizes and learned a few things that I cant believe i never know. I always know the OD of 1/2 thru 2" EMT was "wacky", but I never realized the ID is the exact same as schedule 40 iron pipe size. I also thought RGS was the exact same dimensions as schedule 40 IPS, but it actually has about a 15 thousandths bigger ID. 1/2 EMT is .134 less in OD than RGS, and 2" is .178 less, with the in between sizes being in between those values.

 

[LarryFine]

I just did a deep dive on conduit and EMT sizes and learned a few things that I cant believe i never know. I always know the OD of 1/2 thru 2" EMT was "wacky", but I never realized the ID is the exact same as schedule 40 iron pipe size. I also thought RGS was the exact same dimensions as schedule 40 IPS, but it actually has about a 15 thousandths bigger ID. 1/2 EMT is .134 less in OD than RGS, and 2" is .178 less, with the in between sizes being in between those values.

Always remember the first rule of conduit: The ID must never exceed the OD.

 

[infinity]

I just did a deep dive on conduit and EMT sizes and learned a few things that I cant believe i never know.

Yup, up to 2" the OD is EMT is smaller than RMC. 2½" and larger the OD is the same which is why the same strut straps fit both EMT and RMC.

What's even wackier is that RMC is 10' from end to end with a single coupling attached.

 

[LarryFine]

What's even wackier is that RMC is 10' from end to end with a single coupling attached.

So you lose around an inch? Ten sticks only reaches about 99' 2"?