NUMBER E23-C01

REV. NO. 1
ENGINEERING STANDARD DATE JUN 2001
PAGE 1 OF 6

Conduit System Installation Requirements

This document is issued by Engineering Standards Section, SABIC R&D Complex, PO Box 42503, Riyadh 11551, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The information contained in this document is the confidential property of SABIC. It can not be disclosed, copied or used for any purpose
without prior approval from SABIC. If you are not authorized to possess this document, please destroy it immediately.
 NUMBER E23-C01
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Installation Requirements DATE JUN 2001
ENGINEERING STANDARD PAGE 2 OF 6

CONTENTS

1. SCOPE ................................................................................................ 3
2. REFERENCES 3
3. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 3
3.1 Outdoor Conditions ........................................................................ 3
3.2 Storage / Transport Conditions 3
4. GENERAL 3
5. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ................................................................... 3
6. Receiving and Unpacking 3
7. INSTALLING CONDUIT 4
7.1 General .......................................................................................... 4
7.2 Above Ground Rigid Conduit System 4
7.3 Flexible Conduit System 5
7.4 EMT Conduit System ..................................................................... 5
7.5 PVC Coated Conduit Systems 6
7.6 Junction Boxes 6
7.7 Underground Raceway System 6
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ENGINEERING STANDARD
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1. Scope
This standard defines installation requirements for the installation of electrical conduit systems. The scope
of this specification covers above ground rigid conduit, flexible conduit, EMT conduit, PVC coated conduit
and underground raceway systems.

2. References
Reference is made in this standard to the following documents. The latest issues, amendments, and
supplements to these documents shall apply unless otherwise indicated.
SABIC Engineering Standards (SES)
E02-G01 Electrical Design Criteria
E23-S01 Conduits Metallic, PVC Coated and Non Metallic
E26-C01 Underground Excavation and Installation of Conduits, Manholes and Cables
E30-E01 Electrical Safety Standard
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
70 National Electrical Code (NEC)

3. Environmental Conditions
3.1 Outdoor Conditions
3.1.1 Ambient Temperature Range: 1°C to 50°C.
3.1.2 Metallic surface temperatures reaching 75°C due to solar radiation.
3.1.3 Corrosive desert atmosphere with blowing sand and dust.
3.1.4 Relative humidity is 0 to 95 percent non-condensing
3.2 Storage / Transport Conditions
3.2.1 Ambient Temperature: 0°C to 70°C.
3.2.2 Relative Humidity Range: 1 to 95 percent, non-condensing.

4. General
4.1 Any conflict(s) between this specification, SES and industry standards, engineering drawings, and
contract documents shall be resolved at the discretion of SABIC.
4.2 All work shall be done in a neat and workman like manner.
4.3 Any materials furnished by the Contractor shall be purchased new. All material shall be approved by
SABIC or their designated representative.
4.4 Electrical materials shall be UL (Underwriters Laboratories) listed. SABIC shall approve any
exceptions.
4.5 All conduit shall meet the requirements of SES E23-S01.

5. Safety Precautions
All work shall be performed in accordance with SES E30-E01.

6. Receiving and Unpacking

6.1 Contractor shall examine and inspect material upon receipt for damage. Conduct visual inspection as
required to establish the condition of the material.
6.2 Unless a "deficiency report" is received, materials are assumed to be received in good condition and in
the quantity as specified complete with any required fittings.
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6.3 If material is to be stored for an additional period, carefully close, repair, and restore shipping crates
and boxes so as to maintain the material in clean, and like new condition, and avoid loss of parts during
storage.

7. Installing Conduit
7.1 General
Conduit system installations shall meet the requirements of SES E02-G01, paragraph 16. In addition, all
conduit seal, breather, and drain installations shall meet the requirements of the NEC.
a. The Contractor shall install all conduit systems per the contract electrical drawings. The conduit
shall be cut square, with ends reamed and, where applicable, with sharp, clean-cut threads. All burrs
shall be removed. Conduit size shall be as indicated on the drawings. Field bent conduit shall have a
minimum radius as indicated in Article 346 of the NEC. The radius of bend shall be taken as the radius
of curve at the inner edge of the elbow. The conduit shall maintain a uniform circular cross section
throughout the bend.
b. If conduits change elevation when entering or leaving the main conduit rack, they shall not
interfere with piping or block space designated for future use or block overhead walkway space.
Contractor shall provide pull points where shown or required to limit the number of bends in any
conduit run in accordance with Articles 346,347, 348, 350, and 351 of the NEC.
c. Swab clean conduit runs by pulling in appropriate size mandrel through the conduit before
installation of wire or cable.
d. Contractor is responsible for protecting all conduits during construction. Plug or cap temporary
openings in the conduit system to prevent entrance of moisture or foreign matter. Contractor shall
replace at his own expense, conduits containing foreign materials that cannot be removed.
e. All conduit and fittings shall have a minimum of 5 threads fully engaged at all connections.
Installing threadless conduit fittings on threaded conduits is prohibited.
f. All conduit threads shall be made with a standard conduit-cutting die and shall have 19mm(3/4")
taper per 305mm (12") length. Running threads are not permitted.
g. All empty conduits shall be left with a nylon pull cord installed in the conduit.
h. All threaded conduit joints shall be coated with an approved electrically conductive sealant and
corrosion inhibitor. The compound shall be made specifically for use with rigid steel conduit and
fittings.
7.2 Above Ground Rigid Conduit System
a. A vertical conduit drop exceeding 6 m (20 feet) shall have a drain fitting installed at the low point.
Install a drain-seal fitting (EYD) in conduit that drop into panels, terminal cabinet wireways, buildings,
switchgear or hubbed equipment. Vertical straight runs of conduit in excess of 6 m shall be fitted with
expansion fittings. Adequate provision shall be made for all straight horizontal conduit runs in excess
of 50 meters for thermal expansion. All expansion fittings shall include jumpers for grounding
continuity.
b. Overhead conduit drops to small equipment and instruments shall not enter directly into the top of
the device. The conduit connection shall be liquid tight flexible conduit. For prevention of moisture
draining into the device, a T-condulet with a drain shall be used. The condulet shall be oriented
vertically with the flex connection coming off the center hub and an acceptable drainage fitting placed
in the bottom hub. Flush plugs with drilled holes will not be acceptable as drain fittings.
c. When conduits of various sizes are banked together, the bends and offsets must be bent in a
concentric fashion. Starting with the inside conduit, the next bending radius must be increased by the
distance of the center-to center measurements of the two conduits.
d. No conduit seals shall be poured until after functional checkout, testing and then only after
SABIC's specific written instruction.
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e. Conduit seals shall be painted red after pouring with sealing compound.
f. All conduit bodies in conduit runs shall be installed with covers mounted face down or vertical.
All pull boxes and conduit bodies shall be installed with their covers easily accessible.
g. All conduit fittings and conduit bends must satisfy the wire/cable requirements for bending
radius. "LB" or equivalent fittings shall not be used for medium voltage cables or 600 volt cable over
25 mm2 (#4AWG).
h. Splicing in conduit bodies is acceptable with SABIC's prior approval, only. If such splicing is
approved, cast conduit bodies and junction boxes must comply with NEC Article 370 for maximum
number of conductors allowable for normal wiring. Deductions must be made for splices, devices,
ground wires, and supports.
7.2.1 Conduit Supports, Identification, and Routing
a. Fasten and support horizontal runs of rigid metal conduits at intervals in accordance with the
NEC Article 346. Additional supports shall be provided at bends, fittings and fixtures as required to
make the conduit rigid and free from vibration.
b. Supporting conduits from piping is not permitted.
c. Identify conduits at each end of the conduit run and on both sides of a wall or soffit penetration.
The conduit number must match the number shown on the drawing.
d. Conduit runs shall avoid obstructions and unnecessary bends. Where possible conduit runs
shall be a minimum of 100 mm (4 inches) from fireproofed steel and insulated hot fluid lines, or any
uninsulated hot object over 150 degrees C (302 degrees F).
e. Conduit routed on columns or vessels may be supported by ladder supports. Where it is
necessary to route the conduit between the ladder and the column or vessel, maintain a minimum of
153 mm (6 inches) for toe space.
7.3 Flexible Conduit System
7.3.1 Use flexible couplings to connect to vibrating equipment to permit equipment movement or where
required in a conduit system to facilitate replacement of devices.
7.3.2 All flexible conduit connections to equipment, controls, and instruments in Class 1, Group D, Division
2 area classification shall be Type UA liquidtight conduit, UL approved as required by the NEC, Article 501.
7.3.3 Install liquid tight flexible metal conduit with fittings approved for the purpose.
7.3.4 For Class 1, Group D, Division 1 area classification, all flexible connections shall be explosion proof
flexible couplings as required by the NEC, Article 501.
7.3.5 Whether or not the liquid tight conduit is approved for grounding, flexible liquid tight connections to
equipment must have an external-bonding jumper with approved connectors installed to maintain
continuity.
7.3.6 All flexible conduit connections shall not exceed NEC unsupported length limits, unless approved by
SABIC in writing. Supports shall be installed so that there is no sag in horizontal runs.
7.3.7 Flexible liquid tight conduit shall be no smaller than 12mm (½" ) or larger than 102 mm (4").
7.3.8 Flexible conduit connections shall be sloped to drain away from terminal boxes.
7.4 EMT Conduit System
7.4.1 EMT conduit shall be used only within building interiors.
7.4.2 Perform field bending with EMT shoes, not rigid benders.
7.4.3 Do not install EMT conduit within 2.44 meter of finished floor in locations where mechanical damage
could occur.
7.4.4 Use only compression-type fittings, such as, couplings and connectors in EMT systems.
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7.4.5 Bends or offsets with kinks shall not be used.

7.4.6 The smallest size to be used shall be 19 mm (3/4 inch) EMT.
7.4.7 EMT shall not be used for power feeder runs, rated 480 volts or above.
7.5 PVC Coated Conduit Systems
7.5.1 During installation of PVC coated conduit, the conduit shall be handled with care in order not to
damage the external or internal PVC coating.
7.5.2 All tools used for installing and bending PVC coated conduit shall be specially designed for installing
PVC conduit. Conventional tools shall not be used.
7.5.3 Before threading, by any method, a series of cuts around the circumference of the conduit shall be
made in the PVC coating along the longitudinal axis of the conduit. The thread protector attached to one
end of the conduit shall be used to gauge the length of the cuts. Make a slit up one side of the thread
protector with a knife and remove it from the conduit. Push the thread protector over the cut end of the
conduit to be threaded and place a mark on the PVC coating at the end of the protector. With a knife, cut
around the circumference of the conduit at the mark, through the PVC coating, to the metal. This cut will
indicate the starting point for the longitudinal cuts and it will give an even ending to the PVC coating
removed during threading. The longitudinal cuts will allow the PVC coating to be removed in small pieces
instead of long strips that can foul the die head causing the conduit to collapse.
7.5.4 PVC coated conduit can be field threaded with larger model power threaders with open die heads.
Hand held threaders with tight fitting die heads require the interior diameter of the stationary guide to be
machined 3mm to allow the clearance of the PVC coating. Prior to machining the pipe guide take note of
the sequence in which the dies are removed; then replace dies in the proper sequence.
7.5.5 When manually threading conduit, pencil cut before threading to enable the die teeth on the threader
to engage the conduit. This allows the pipe guide to ride up and over the PVC coating enabling the removal
of the coating and threading in one operation.
7.5.6 Use a good quality thread cutting oil to flush away the metal and PVC chips. Use a degreasing spray
to thoroughly clean the threads and the interior of the pipe. Use care not to contaminate the cutting oil with
the degreasing spray. Use touch up compound on all field cut threads and internal reams. When an access
fitting or coupling is attached to a newly threaded conduit, a colored band will form at the end of the sleeve.
This indicates proper installation procedures have been followed.
7.5.7 When threading PVC coated aluminum conduit always use new die heads. Die heads for threading
PVC coated steel conduit shall not be used on PVC coated aluminum conduit.
7.5.8 After installation of PVC coated conduit, all damaged PVC surfaces shall be repaired using approved
repair compound. As the repair compound material will not adhere to bare metal, the repair compound shall
be applied liberally and such that it overlaps the existing PVC coating. A minimum of two coats shall be
applied. The first coat shall dry completely prior to application of the second coat.
7.6 Junction Boxes
7.6.1 Junction boxes installed indoors in corrosive locations or outdoors shall be stainless steel or other
material approved by SABIC.
7.6.2 Cast metal junction boxes with flanged and bolted covers installed outdoors shall be fitted with
breathers and drains.
7.6.3 All junction boxes shall be supported independent of the connected conduit.
7.6.4 Conduit shall be supported independently of the connected junction boxes.
7.7 Underground Raceway System
Underground raceway systems shall be installed per SES E26-C01.