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Conduits stubbed too close together

5K views 18 replies 5 participants last post by  Mobetta 
#1 ·
The scenario: Several rigid conduits are stubbed out of an exterior wall at odd angles. Would it be NEC code compliant ( aside from 110-12, neat and workmanship manner) to cut one hole for all of the conduits and mount the 3R box over them? The back would be sealed with caulking and grounding bushings installed.
 
#2 ·
as long as the ends of the pipes are addressed properly and the box is mounted securely and there are no openings remaining that would need to be sealed, ya, you're fine.

If you do it properly, you can even make it look nice and pretty and compliant with the workmanship requirements.

The caulking is the only thing in your description that I would have a problem with. While we all get away with a lot of things, depending on what you are actually sealing, it may or may not be a problem. Just not sure of your actual situation so I am not positive of how, exactly, you are using the caulk. If it is as a gasket between the wall and the box, you would be fine. If you are using it to replace parts of the box around the pipes where it isn't against a wall, it might be a problem.

got a picture?
 
#3 ·
Thanks for the input Nap! I was leafing back and forth in the NEC trying to find something that would prevent me from doing it that way. Service equipment is mounted over conduit stubs so it seemed reasonable that it would be allowed. I thought maybe bastardizing the box might be an issue with the UL rating. I'll try and get a photo this weekend.
 
#10 ·
that is for electrical continuity and Mobetta did say he was going to use bonding bushings. That would allow an electrical continuity.


Think about this: when installing a conduit in a concentric knockout where any size other than the largest pipe size is used(all knockout pieces removed), that is not considered to be an effective means of bonding and the conduit must be bonded by other means.

That leaves it to the mechanical construction and I see no problem with there being no physical connection as long as each part of the construction (pipes and box) are properly secured without considering the pipe to box connection as part of that securing.


Mobetta
Wonder if an inspector would buy that one??
I have done exactly what is sounds like you are doing and have never had an inspector question it let alone deny it. You do need to be concerned about box fill though if the pipes intrude into the box much at all. That would remove calculated area and as such, could cause an overfill condition if not considered.
 
#9 ·
Thanks for finding that Cowboy! Ok, so mechanically secured.... I would think that the reason for this is to make sure the conduit is not flopping around.
The pipe is mechanically secured to the box by concrete and screws. The grounding conductor when attached to the box will make it metallically joined.
Wonder if an inspector would buy that one??
 
#14 ·
A bender and a short section of pipe is all you need to adjust these conduits to all fit into listed connectors. The trick here is to bend them sideways/forwards/backwards and then straight up without kinking them. Thats why one bender and a piece of scrap pipe is all you need.
This is a prime example of why we have electricians. We know how to do this simple stuff.
 
#15 ·
JV, I could easily bend conduits to fit. I don't want to do it that way because
I would have stand the box off the wall and it would not look good.
I want a nice clean box mounted over the conduits and I'm trying to get
some opinions on whether or not it would be code compliant to do it that way. Got anything worthwhile to contribute? :laughing:
 
#16 ·
JV, I could easily bend conduits to fit. I don't want to do it that way because
I would have stand the box off the wall and it would not look good.
I want a nice clean box mounted over the conduits and I'm trying to get
some opinions on whether or not it would be code compliant to do it that way. Got anything worthwhile to contribute? :laughing:
That was a pretty crappy thing to say to someone that is trying to offer up an idea.

Mark
 
#17 ·
Maybe I took it the wrong way but it's obvious that you can bend conduits to fit. Wasn't expecting
someone to be bragging about being capable of bending conduit. The code is subject to interpretation.
Looking for someone who can nail down the original question with an irrefutable code reference and not some cocky
B.S. So far nobody has.
I do appreciate your feedback.
 
#18 ·
I give. While that section is specifically directed to electrical continuity, it does appear to address itself to other matters as well. Although I had been chastised many times for utilizing a titled section for anything other than what the title directs itself to, it does appear to require a mechanical connection (I think Cowboys's comment of "bolt" was not intended to be a exact statement but more of a paraphrased commentary).

I will still stick by: I have done exactly what you are suggesting many times and have never had an inspector knock it down. You had the correct idea before when you said you were going to ask your local inspector. I think that is the only thing that is really going to matter.
 
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