3/4" FLEX RUN THRU WIREWAY

[KJRISE]

Can you run 3/4" FLEX thru a wireway to isolate emg. power and not use a connector when entering and exiting a indoor wireway. Can someone direct me to a code # on this voilation?

 

[advidana]

Common sense is no because the flex conduit or any other foreign object could damage the wire insulation of other wires in the wireway.

 

[peebee]

Re: "Can you run 3/4" FLEX thru a wireway to isolate emg. power" -- sounds fine to me.

Re: "and not use a connector when entering and exiting a indoor wireway" -- what connector? where? A flex-wireway connector? Yes, you'd need to provide a nipple, j-box, or similar where the flex passes through the wireway wall.

Code references: well, the installation you're describing is somewhat unusual, so there may not be any specific code references, but here's a couple that come close: 300.12 and 314.17(A). I suspect any inspector would say those two paragraphs justify the requirement for you to provide a nipple or similar where you enter the wireway. And keep in mind that the inspector could require you to do so just because he felt like it, even if there was no code requirement backing him up.

And as cheap as two nipples or j-boxes are, why fight it?

 

[brianl2002]

Article 700.9 (B) (Emergency Systems) states that all wiring from an emergency source shall be kept independent of all other wiring and equipment unless permitted in one of four exceptions:

1. Wiring from the normal power source located in transfer equipment enclosures

2. Wiring supplied from two sources in Exit or emergency luminaires (lighting fixtures).

3. Wiring from two sources in a common junction box, attached to Exit or emergency luminaires (lighting fixtures).

4. Wiring within a common junction box attached to unit equipment, containing only the branch circuit supplying the unit equipment and the emergency circuit supplied by the unit equipment.

This separation is done so if a fault occurs on the normal power circuits, it will not affect the emergency circuits, or vice versa.

This installation does not appear to meet any of the exceptions, so I do not believe that this would be an acceptable wiring method.

 

[peebee]

brianl - If he's running the wiring thru flex, then it IS independent, and therefore would not be relying on the exceptions you listed.

Is one of us missing the point?

 

[skiier]

peebee's right. The obvious is elusive sometimes. And yes you need a connector on both ends of the flex! You don't need it to connect to your wireway so much as you need them to protect your conductors! I don't care how smooth you think you can get that flex without a connector - not everyone is as careful. This rule is applicable in most countries. And if your flex exceeds a certain length most local codes say you probably have to gnd it - in most cases.
So if you have to use a connector, and u have to gnd it, why not do the job right. Punch a couple of holes and do a professional job.