Electrical Installation and Maintenance

Quarter 4 – Week 5 Module 4

Prepared by: Wilbert E. Eleccion

Lesson
PEC Provision on Rigid Metallic
1 Conduit
I. OBJECTIVES:
1. Realize the standard use of Rigid Metallic Conduit;
2. Identify the different types Rigid Metallic Conduit fittings;
3. Know and understand the maximum number of conductors in tubing trade size
of conduit.
II. GUIDE QUESTIONS:
1. What is RMC?
2. What are the different types of RMC fittings?
3. What are the types of bends use in installing EMT?
4. What are the maximum number of conductors allowed to run in each trade
size of conduit?
III. DISCUSSION:
Great day everyone!

Today, we are going to discuss about Rigid Metallic Conduit.

A rigid metal conduit serves the same purpose as with the Electrical Metallic Tubing.
It is designed to protect the electrical wiring of building from electrical hazard due to faulty
wiring. It is usually installed by the burying it in concreate wall floor and ceiling, in masonry
or similar materials. It is also used for exposed and concealed work; it provides maximum
protection when there is mechanical damage. For this wiring method to be effective, safe and
reliable, it is a must that the Philippine Electrical Code standards and specifications is
followed.

Standard size of Rigid Metallic Conduit

Rigid metal conduit has smooth inside diameter. Its standard length follows the gas pipe
which is 10 feet and a diameter from ½, ¾, up to 6 inches.
Installation under atmospheric condition.

Protected by Enamel – conduit protected only with enamel is permitted only in indoor
occupancies not subjected to severe corrosive influences.
Dissimilar metal – contacts of metal to another metal must be avoided in installing RMC to
prevent the possibility of galvanic reaction.

Corrosion protection – conduits fitting with corrosion protection are permitted to be

installed in concreate, direct earth burial, or in areas subjected to corrosive influences.

Number of conductors inside the conduit

The table shows the number of conductors permitted in a single conduit. Maximum number
of conductors allowed in trade size conduit from ½ - 3 inches.

Conduit trade size 1/2 3/4 1 1 1 2 2 3

1/4 1/2 1/2
Type letter Conductor size AWG

14 9 15 25 44 60 99 142
12 7 12 19 35 47 78 111 171
TW, XHHW 10 5 9 15 26 36 60 85 131
8 2 4 7 12 17 28 40 62

14 6 10 16 29 40 65 93 143
RHW, RHH, THW 12 4 8 13 24 32 53 76 117
10 4 6 11 19 26 42 61 95
8 1 3 5 10 13 22 32 49

6 2 4 7 10 16 23 36
TW, THW, RHW RHH 4 1 1 3 5 7 12 17 27
(without covering) 3 1 1 2 4 5 10 15 23
2 1 1 2 4 5 9 13 20
1 1 1 1 3 4 6 9 14

Fittings:

The following are types of conduit fittings which are usually used when wiring installation make
sharp turns. The letter shows that an elbow or fittings makes right angle turn.
Bends:

Rigid metal conduit can also be bend using hickey or conduit bender. It follows the same procedure
bending electrical metallic tubing.

Cutting:

Conduit is cut with hacksaw or pipe cutter. For easy and safe way of cutting, a bench vise is
recommended so that the pipe can be held firmly while it is being cut.

Ream :

After cutting the pipe by hacksaw or pipe cutter, it leaves burrs. This must be removed to avoid
damage of wire insulation when it is inserted in it. A reamer or round file can be used to removed
burrs.
Threads:

Since rigid metal conduit is commonly used in wet places, sealing of termination can be best done if
pipe is threaded. The use of dies and dies stock keep the end of the pipe threaded. The size of dies
stock range from ½ to 6 inches.

IV. GENERALIZATION:
A rigid metal conduit serves the same purpose as with the Electrical Metallic
Tubing. It is designed to protect the electrical wiring of building from electrical hazard due to
faulty wiring. It is usually installed by the burying it in concreate wall floor and ceiling, in
masonry or similar materials. It is also used for exposed and concealed work; it provides
maximum protection when there is mechanical damage. For this wiring method to be
effective, safe and reliable, it is a must that the Philippine Electrical Code standards and
specifications is followed. Its standard length follows the gas pipe which is 10 feet and a
diameter from ½, ¾, up to 6 inches.
Procedures in Bending Electrical Metallic Tubing (Offset Bend)
1. Prepare the necessary tools, materials, and equipment.
2. Wear the appropriate PPE.
3. Measure the elevation of the box where the bend is to fitted.
4. Draw the depth of the elevation on the floor. This will make two lines.
5. Mark 100mm from the end of the pipe.
6. Put another 200mm from your first marker.
7. Insert the hickey on the second marker and bend gradually backward stroke
to follow its depth.
8. Move the hickey on the first marker and bend gradual forward stroke to
follow the height.
9. Removed the hickey.
10. Observe good housekeeping.
Procedure in Bending Electrical Metallic Tubing (Elbow Bend)
1. Prepare the necessary tools, materials, and equipment.
2. Wear the appropriate PPE.
3. Draw right angle bend on the floor using the try square.
4. Draw an arc near the corner.
5. Mark off the center of the location of the bend.
 6. Insert the EMT into the conduit bender/hickey where the center of the bend is to be
made.
7. Bend the EMT gradually from a 90°bend. Check the desired shape by placing the
conduit on the layout which can be seen on step 3.
8. Remove the hickey on the right angle bent EMT.
9. Observe good housekeeping.

V. EXERCISE:
I. Direction: Read each of the following questions then answer. Write the letter of
your answer in the space provided before each number.
____ 1. It is the process of removing sharp edges or burrs left after cutting the pipe.
A. bending B. cutting C. installing D. reaming
____ 2. It is a type of condulet which makes conduit run turns to the right.
A. C B. LB C. LL D. LR
____ 3. It is a tool used to thread rigid metallic conduit.
A. Cutter B. dies and die stocks C. hickey D. reamer
____ 4. It is a type of condulet which has an opening at the back.
A. C B. LB C. LL D. LR
____ 5. What is the standard length of RMC?
A. 10 ft. B. 12 ft. C. 14 ft. D. 20 ft.
____ 6. What tool is use to remove sharp edge or burrs of RMC?
A. knife B. chisel C. drill bit D. reamer
____ 7. It is a tool use to bend RMC.
A. heat gun B. dies and dies stock C. hickey D. reamer
____ 8. What is the largest size of RMC?
A. 2 inches B. 6 inches C. 10 inches D. 12 inches
____ 9. What is the standard length of rigid metallic conduit?
A. 6 feet B. 8 feet C. 10 feet D. 12 feet
____ 10. What is the maximum number of XHHW size 12 conductor is allowed for ½ inch
RMC pipe?
A. 7 B. 12 C. 14 D. 16
II. REFERENCES:
Electrical Installation and Maintenance Learner’s Module 1 (Deped)
III. ANSWER KEY:

1. D
2. D
3. B
4. A
5. A
6. D
7. B
8. B
9. C
10. A