CLASSIFICATION OF ELECTRICAL CONDUITS

INTERMEDIATE METAL CONDUIT (IMC)

A steel threadable raceway of circular cross designed for the physical protection
and routing of conductors and cables and for use as an equipment grounding conductor
when installed with its integral or associated coupling and appropriate fittings.

USES PERMITTED
A. All Atmospheric Conditions and Occupancies
Use of IMC shall be permitted under all atmospheric conditions and
occupancies.
B. Corrosion Environments.
IMC elbows, couplings and fittings shall be permitted to be installed in
concrete, in direct contact with the earth or in areas subject to severe corrosive
influences where protected by corrosion protection and judged suitable for the
condition.
C. Cinder Fill
Shall be permitted to be installed in or under cinder fill where subject to
permanent moisture where protected on all sides by a layer of noncinder concrete
not less than 50 mm thick; where the conduit is not less than 450 mm under the
fill; or where protected by corrosion protection and judged suitable for the
condition.
D. Wet Locations
All supports, bolts, straps, screws, and so forth shall be of corrosion resistant
materials or protected against corrosion by corrosion-resistant materials.
E. Size
Minimum. IMC smaller than raceway size 15mm shall not be used.
Maximum. IMC larger than size 100 mm shall not be used.
F. Bends
Bends of IMC shall be so made that the conduit will not be damaged and the
internal diameter of the conduit will not be effectively reduced. Number in one run
shall not be more than the equivalent of four quarter bends ( 360 degrees total)
between pull points.
G. Reaming and Threading
All cut ends shall be reamed or otherwise finished to remove rough edges.
H. Security Fastened
Each IMC shall be securely fastened within 900 mm of each outlet box,
junction box, cabinet, conduit body, or other conduit termination. Fastening shall
be permitted to be increased to a distance of 1 500 mm where structural
members do not readily permit fastening within 900 mm.
I. Couplings and Connectors
Threadless – threadless coupling and connectors used with conduit shall be
made tight. Where buried masonry or concrete they shall be the concretetight
type.
Running Threads – shall not be used on conduit for connections at coupling.
J. Bushings
Where a conduit enters a box, fittings, or other enclosure a bushing shall be
provided to protect the wire from abrasion unless the design of the box fittings or
enclosure is such s to afford equivalent protection.
K. Grounding
IMC shall be permitted as an equipment grounding conductor.
L. Marking
Each length shall be clearly and durably marked at least every 1 500 mm with
the letters IMC.
M. Standard Lengths
The standard length of IMC shall be 3 000 mm including an attached coupling
and each end shall be threaded,
RIGID METAL CONDUIT (RMC)
A threadable raceway of circular cross section designed for the physical
protection and routing of conductors and cables and for use as an equipment grounding
conductor when installed with its integral or associated coupling and appropriate fittings.
RMC is generally made of steel (ferrous) with protective coating or aluminum
(nonferrous) . Special use types are silicon bronze and stainless steel.

USES PERMITTED
A. All Atmospheric Conditions and Occupancies
Use of RMC shall be permitted under all atmospheric conditions and
occupancies. Ferrous raceways and fittings protected from corrosion solely by
enamel shall be permitted only indoors and in occupancies not subject to severe
corrosive influences.

B. Corrosion Environment
RMC elbows, couplings and fittings shall be permitted to be installed in
concrete, in direct contact with the earth or in areas subject to severe corrosive
influences where protected by corrosion protection and judged suitable for the
condition.
C. Cinder Fill
RMC shall be permitted to be installed in or under cinder fill where subject to
permanent moisture where protected on all sides by a layer of noncinder concrete
not less than 50 mm thick; where the conduit is not less than 450 mm under the
fill; or where protected by corrosion protection and judged suitable for the
condition.
D. Wet Locations
All supports, bolts, straps, screws, and so forth shall be of corrosion resistant
materials or protected against corrosion by corrosion-resistant materials.
E. Size
Minimum. IMC smaller than raceway size 15mm shall not be used.
Maximum. IMC larger than size 150 mm shall not be used.

F. Bends
Bends of IMC shall be so made that the conduit will not be damaged and the
internal diameter of the conduit will not be effectively reduced. Number in one run
shall not be more than the equivalent of four quarter bends ( 360 degrees total)
between pull points.
G. Reaming and Threading
All cut ends shall be reamed or otherwise finished to remove rough edges.
H. Security Fastened
Each RMC shall be securely fastened within 900 mm of each outlet box,
junction box, cabinet, conduit body, or other conduit termination. Fastening shall
be permitted to be increased to a distance of 1 500 mm where structural
members do not readily permit fastening within 900 mm.
I. Supports
Conduit shall be supported at intervals not exceeding 3 000 mm.

SUPPORT FOR RIGID METAL CONDUIT

Conduit Size ( mm ) Maximum Distance Between
Rigid Metal Conduit Supports ( mm)
15- 20 3 000
25 3 600
32-40 4 200
50-65 4 800
80 and larger 6 800

J. Couplings and Connectors

Threadless coupling and connectors used with conduit shall be made tight.
Where buried in masonry or concrete, they shall be the concretetight type.
Running Threads shall not be used on conduit for connection at couplings.
 K. Bushings
Where a conduit enters a box, fittings, or other enclosure a bushing shall be
provided to protect the wire from abrasion unless the design of the box fittings or
enclosure is such s to afford equivalent protection.

L. Grounding
RMC shall be permitted as an equipment grounding conductor.
M. Marking
Each length shall be clearly and durably identified in every 3 000 mm.
Nonferrous conduit of corrosion resistant material shall have suitable marking.
N. Standard Lengths
The standard length of RMC shall be 3 000 mm including an attached coupling
and each end shall be threaded, Longer or shorter lengths with or without
coupling and threaded or unthreaded shall be permitted.

FLEXIBLE METAL CONDUIT (FMC)

A raceway of circular cross section made of helically wound, formed,
interlocked metal strip.

USES PEMITTED
FMC shall be permitted to be used in exposed and concealed locations.
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 enclosure
to which the conduit is connected.
2. In hoistways
3. In storage battery rooms In any hazardous locations
4. Where exposed to materials having a deteriorating effect on the installed
conductors, such as oil or gasoline.
5. Underground or embedded in poured concrete or aggregate
6. Where subject to physical damage

A. Size
Minimum - FMC less than raceway size 15 mm shall not be used unless
permitted in for raceway size 10 mm.
Maximum – FMC larger than raceway size 100 mm shall not be used.
B. Bends
Bends in conduit shall be made so that the conduit is not damaged and the
internal diameter of the conduit is not effectively reduced. Bends shall be
permitted to be made manually without auxiliary equipment.
Number in one run shall not be more than the equivalent of four quarter
bends (360 degrees total) between pull points.
C. Trimming
All cut ends shall be trimmed or otherwise finisher to removed rough edges
except where fitting that thread into the convolutions are used.
D. Security Fastened
FMC shall be securely fastened in place by an approved means within 300
mm of each box, cabinet, conduit body, or other conduit termination and shall be
supported and secured at intervals not to exceed 1 400 mm.
RIGID NONMETALLIC CONDUIT (RNC)
A nonmetallic raceway of circular cross section with integral associated couplings,
connectors, and fittings for the installation of electrical conductor and cables.

USES PERMITTED
A. Concealed
RNC shall be permitted in walls, floors, and ceilings.
B. Cinders
RNC shall be permitted in cinder fill.
C. Wet Locations
RNC shall be permitted in portions of dairies, laundries, canneries, or other wet
locations where wall are frequently washed ,the entire conduit system including
boxes and fittings used therewith shall be installed and equipped so as to prevent
water from entering the conduits.
D. Exposed
RNC shall be permitted for exposed work where not subject to physical damage
if identified for such use.
E. Size
Minimum - RNC smaller than raceway size 15 mm shall not be used unless
permitted in for raceway size 10 mm.
Maximum – RNC larger than raceway size 150 mm shall not be used.
F. Trimming
All cut ends shall be trimmed inside and outside to remove rough edges.
G. Bushings
Where a conduit enter a box, fitting or other enclosure a bushing or adapter shall
be provided to protect the wire from abrasion unless the box fitting, or enclosure
design provides equivalent protection.

ELECTRICAL METALLIC TUBING (EMT)

An unthreaded thinwall raceway of circular cross section design for the physical
protection and routing of conductors and cables and for use as an equipment grounding
conductor when installed utilizing appropriate fittings. EMT is generally made of steel
(ferrous) with protective coating or aluminum(nonferrous).

USES PERMITTED
A. Exposed and Concealed
The use of EMT shall be permitted for both exposed and concealed work.
B. Corrosion Protection
Ferrous or nonferrous EMT, elbows, couplings, and fittings shall be permitted to
be installed in concrete direct contact with the earth, or in areas subject to severe
corrosive influences where protected by corrosion protection and judged suitable for
the condition.
C. Wet Locations
All supports bolts, straps, screws, and so forth shall be of corrosion-resistant
materials or protected against corrosion by corrosion resistant materials.
D. Sizes
Minimum.EMT smaller than raceway size 15mm shall not be used.
Maximum. The maximum size shall be raceway size 100 mm.
USES NOT PERMITTED. EMT shall not be used under the following
conditions:

1. Where during installation or afterwards, it will be subject to severe physical

damage.
2. Where protected from corrosion solely by enamel.
3. In cinder concrete or cinder fill where subject to permanent moisture unless
protected on all sides by a layer of noncinder concrete at least 50 mm thick or
unless the tubing is at least 450 mm under fill.
4. In any hazardous locations.
5. For the support of the luminaires (fixture) or other equipment except conduit
bodies no larger than the largest raceway size of the tubing.
E. Reaming and Threading
Reaming – All cut ends of EMT shall be reamed or otherwise finished to remove
rough edges.
Threading – EMT shall not be threaded.
F. Security Fastened
EMT shall be surely fastened in a place at least every 3 000 mm. In addition
each EMT run between termination points shall be securely fastened within 900 mm
of each outlet box, junction box, device box, cabinet, conduit body, or other tubing
termination.
G. Grounding
EMT shall be permitted as an equipment grounding conductor.
H. Sizes
Minimum. ENT smaller than raceway size 15mm shall not be used.
Maximum. ENT larger than raceway size 50 mm shall not be used.
I. Construction
ENT shall be made of material that does not exceed the ignitibility, flammability,
smoke generation, and toxicity characteristic of rigid polyvinyl chloride.
ENT as a prewired manufactured assembly shall be provided in continuous
lengths capable of being shipped in a coil , reel, or carton without damage.
ELECTRICAL NONMETALLIC TUBING (ENT)
A nonmetallic pliable corrugated raceway of circular cross section with integral or
associated couplings, connectors, and fittings for the installation of electric conductors.
ENT is composed of material that is resistant to moisture and chemical atmospheres
and is flame retardant.

A pliable raceway is a raceway that can be bend by hand with a reasonable force but
without other assistance.

USES PERMITTED
The use of ENT and fitting
shall be permitted in the
following:

1. In any building not

exceeding three floors above grade as follows:
a. For exposed work
b. Concealed within the walls, floors, and ceiling.
2. In any building exceeding three floors above grade, ENT shall be concealed
within walls, floors and ceiling.
3. In location subject to severe corrosive influences and where subject to chemicals
for which the materials are specifically approved.
4. In concealed dry and damp locations not prohibited.
5. Above suspended ceiling where the suspended ceilings provide a thermal barrier
of the materials that has at least 15 minute finish rating.
6. Encased in poured concrete or embedded in a concrete slab on grade where
ENT is placed on sand or approved screening provided fittings identified for this
purpose are used for connection.
7. For wet locations indoors ass permitted in this section or in a concrete slab on or
below grade with fitting listed for the purpose.
8. Raceway size 15 mm through 25 mm as listed manufactured prewired assembly.

USES NOT PERMITTED

ENT shall not be used in the following:

1. In hazardous locations.
 2. For the support of luminaires and other equipments.
3. Where subject to ambient temperature in excess of 50°C(122°F) unless listed
otherwise.
4. For conductors or cables operating at a temperature higher than the ENT listed
temperature rating.
5. For direct earth burial
6. Where the voltage is over 600 Volts
7. Where exposed to the direct rays of the sun unless identified as sunlight
resistance.

Different Conduit Bends

There are four major bends being performed in the conduits these are: Off
set bend, 90 degrees Bend, Saddle bend and Gooseneck Bend. A field bend is any
bend performed by the electrician when installing conduits.
 1. A 90 degrees bend is required when running conduit over joint and when you
want to enter a ceiling or wall outlet on the floor below, or from an exposed ceiling
running to a box on the wall.

2. An Off set bend is needed at the end of the conduit if it is running through an
outlet box for connections of lighting fixtures, convenience outlets, and similar others.

3. Saddle bend it is made possible when crossing a conduit already in place on

ceiling and/or wall and passing over other obstruction. This is also called cross-over
bend.

4. Goose neck bend it is often used for connecting or installing lighting fixtures on
driveways and streets.