Window frame as a raceway?

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dcspector

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Burke, Virginia
I have an interesting situation. I am inspecting a hi rise and noticed the contractor is pulling mc thru the bottom al frame / channel (extrusion) of the glazing curtain wall. I guess it would resemble a 4" wiremold. I am concerned about condensation in the channel considering the glazing is in the channel with the mc and IMO......is not an approved raceway....Thanks for your input.
 
MC cable is not required to be in a raceway so the interior of a window frame would be OK. That is, if it's considered a dry location.
 
Greg, MC does not require a raceway approved or otherwise.

2002 code sections, I believe they are unchanged in 2005.

330.30(B) allows MC to be unsupported where it is fished.

I don't believe the location you describe is a wet location.

If you feel it is a wet location 330.10(A)(12)(c) likely allows these MC cables in that wet location.
 
infinity said:
That is, if it's considered a dry location.
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When was the last time you got MC that was not labeled as THHN/THWN?
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Thanks Bob and Trevor. I was looking for your support.....I have never seen this application before and I felt uncomfortable making a call before talkin to Ya'll........That is why this Forum is an excellent tool.

Thanks

Greg
 
If there were condinsation in the channel It would likely need a drain hole in it, if it didn't have a drain hole and condinsation were a problem it would fill with water over time.
 
iwire said:
When was the last time you got MC that was not labeled as THHN/THWN?
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That is true but MC cable is not required to have conductors that are THWN rated. I agree with Bob that if they had a insulation type that was rated for wet locations then the cable could be used in a wet location.
 
iwire said:
When was the last time you got MC that was not labeled as THHN/THWN?
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There are some that only say thhn.It is both but the label really should not say both as since the jacket does not permit it in wet locations.I have seen it labeled both ways.In this case i think its plenty safe.
 
iwire said:
Greg, MC does not require a raceway approved or otherwise.

2002 code sections, I believe they are unchanged in 2005.

330.30(B) allows MC to be unsupported where it is fished.

I don't believe the location you describe is a wet location.

If you feel it is a wet location 330.10(A)(12)(c) likely allows these MC cables in that wet location.
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I think you meant 330.10(A)(11)(C).
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
There are some that only say thhn.It is both but the label really should not say both as since the jacket does not permit it in wet locations.
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Jim the 'jacket' has nothing to do with it.

MC can be used in wet locations if the conductors inside are a type W and all the MC I get is THHN/THWN.

You can even run flexible metal conduit in wet locations if the conductors are type W.
 
iwire said:
Jim the 'jacket' has nothing to do with it.

MC can be used in wet locations if the conductors inside are a type W and all the MC I get is THHN/THWN.

You can even run flexible metal conduit in wet locations if the conductors are type W.
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I know most say thhn/thwn but have seen some that did not.Are you saying i could run MC from a disconnect outside to an AC UNIT ?
 
Jim W in Tampa said:
Are you saying i could run MC from a disconnect outside to an AC UNIT ?
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Physical-protection aside, yes. I've seen it directly buried.

330.10 Uses Permitted.
(A) General Uses. Where not subject to physical damage, Type MC cables shall be permitted as follows:
(1) For services, feeders, and branch circuits
(2) For power, lighting, control, and signal circuits
(3) Indoors or outdoors
(4) Where exposed or concealed
(5) Direct buried where identified for such use
(6) In cable tray
(7) In any raceway
(8) As open runs of cable
(9) As aerial cable on a messenger
(10) In hazardous (classified) locations as permitted in Articles 501, 502, 503, 504, and 505
(11) In dry locations and embedded in plaster finish on brick or other masonry except in damp or wet locations
(12) In wet locations where any of the following conditions are met:
a. The metallic covering is impervious to moisture.
b. A lead sheath or moisture-impervious jacket is provided under the metal covering.
c. The insulated conductors under the metallic covering are listed for use in wet locations.
 
A few years ago, we were hired by Ed Carpenter Studios to install a 24-channel programmable lighting system for a large scupture in the ceiling of a sky-bridge over Marshall St. , attached to the Richmond Convention Center.


Here is a shot from one end of the skybridge. You can see the lighting heads, mounted on track, on the second row of mullions, 8' up. The mullion rows are 4' apart, so the ceiling is 20' above the skybridge floor. The strips on the arched aluminum tubes are dichroic glass, and change color as the lighting changes. (I can't post the image for some reason)

http://www.richmondcenter.com/images/dynamicphoto.asp?img=74

Each trach is fed by a drop of 12-2 MC from the top of the windows, 20' up, routed in bridle rings above the ceiling to a junction box. The bottom end of each drop terminates in a 90? MC connector, through a hole in the mullion, and into the end terminal of each track, secured by a locknut.
 
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Jim W in Tampa said:
Are you saying i could run MC from a disconnect outside to an AC UNIT ?
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Yes, or FMC.


330.10 Uses Permitted.
(A) General Uses. Where not subject to physical damage, Type MC cables shall be permitted as follows:

(12)In wet locations where any of the following conditions are met:

a.The metallic covering is impervious to moisture.

b.A lead sheath or moisture-impervious jacket is provided under the metal covering.

c.The insulated conductors under the metallic covering are listed for use in wet locations.
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348.12 Uses Not Permitted.
FMC shall not be used in the following:

(1)In wet locations unless the conductors are approved for the specific conditions and the installation is such that liquid is not likely to enter raceways or enclosures to which the conduit is connected
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Jim W in Tampa said:
And just what MC fittings would we be allowed to use ?Something about this sounds wrong and i am not sure what inspectors would say.
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What can they say, it's in the book black and white?
 
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