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Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Technical Terms
Objectives
After completing this chapter, you will be able to:
List the wiring methods available for commercial
installation and the rules regarding each method of
wiring.
Size wireways to satisfy Code requirements.
Identify fittings, connectors, supports, and other inte-
gral hardware unique to a particular wiring method.
Select the correct wiring method based on Code
requirements.
Calculate wireway size.
This chapter is an introduction to conduits, raceways,
busways, wireways, junction boxes, gutters, busbars, pull
boxes, device boxes, and a host of other wiring methods
and related components. These items compose the system
through which electricity is routed.
The Code recognizes many wiring methods for use in
buildings. These wiring methods fall into several main
categories:
• Raceways
• Conductors
• Cable
• Cable trays
• Busways
• Gutters
• Wireways
Some of the wiring methods have very specific appli-
cations, while others can be used in a greater variety of
conditions. The table in Figure 5-1 lists wiring methods
and their corresponding Code articles. This is not a
complete list of all wiring methods approved in the Code.
The reader is encouraged to look into all methods of
wiring and techniques covered in the Code.
Armored cable (BX)
Auxiliary gutters
Busways
Cable tray
Electrical metallic tubing
(EMT)
Electrical nonmetallic
tubing (ENT)
Flexible metal conduit
(Greenfield)
Intermediate metal conduit
(IMC)
Liquidtight flexible
conduit
Metal-clad cable
Multiconductor cable
Nonmetallic-sheathed
cable (romex)
Rigid metal conduit
Rigid nonmetallic conduit
Service-entrance cable
Surface raceway
Wireways
Figure 5-1. Code sections for common wiring methods.
Wiring Methods Code Article
Armored Cable 320
Auxiliary Gutters 366
Busways 368
Cable Trays 392
Electrical Metallic Tubing 358
Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing 362
Flexible Metal Conduit 348
Flexible Metallic Tubing 360
Intermediate Metal Conduit 342
Liquidtight Flexible Conduit 350, 356
Metal-Clad Cable 330
Multioutlet Assembly 380
Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable 334
Rigid Metal Conduit 344
Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride Conduit 352
Service-Entrance Cable 338
Surface Raceway 386, 388
Underground Feeder Cable 340
Wireways 376, 378
Wiring Methods in the Code
Wiring
Methods
CHAPTER
5