CHAPTER 3 - WIRING
METHODS AND
MATERIALS
APPROVED TYPE OF WIRING
METHOD BY P.E.C
ARTICLE 3.0 – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR
WIRING METHODS AND MATERIALS
3.0.1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
[Link] SCOPE
A. ALL WIRING INSTALLATIONS
B. INTEGRAL PARTS OF EQUIPMENT
C. METRIC DESIGNATORS AND TRADE SIZES
[Link] LIMITATIONS
A. VOLTAGE
B. TEMPERATURE
[Link] CONDUCTORS
A. SINGLE CONDUCTORS
B. CONDUCTORS OF THE SAME CIRCUIT
1. PARALLELED INSTALLATIONS
2. GROUNDING AND BONDING OF CONDUCTORS
3. NONFERROUS WIRING METHODS
4. COLUMN-WIDTH PANELBOARD ENCLOSURES.
C. CONDUCTORS OF DIFFERENT SYSTEMS
1. 1000 VOLTS, NOMINAL, OR LESS
2. OVER 1000 VOLTS, NOMINALS
[Link] PROTECTION AGAINST PHYSICAL DAMAGE
a. CABLES AND RACEWAYS THROUGH WOOD MEMBERS
1. BORED HOLES
2. NOTCHES IN WOOD
B. NONMETALLIC-SHEATHED CABLES AND ELECTRICAL
NONMETALLIC TUBING THROUGH METAL FRAMING MEMBERS
1. NONMETALLIC-SHEATHED CABLE
2. NONMETALLIC-SHEATHED CABLE AND ELECTRICAL NONMETALLIC
TUBING
C. CABLES THROUGH SPACES BEHIND PANELS DESIGNED TO ALLOW
ACCESS
D. CABLES AND RACEWAYS PARALLEL TO FRAMING MEMBERS AND
FURRING STRIPS
E. CABLES, RACEWAYS, OR BOXES INSTALLED IN OR UNDER ROOF
DECKING
F. CABLES AND RACEWAYS INSTALLED IN SHALLOW GROOVES
G. INSULATED FITTINGS
H. STRUCTURAL JOINTS
[Link] UNDERGROUND INSTALLATIONS
A. MINIMUM COVER REQUIREMENTS
B. WET LOCATIONS
C. UNDERGROUND CABLES AND CONDUCTORS UNDER BUILDINGS
D. PROTECTION FROM DAMAGE
1. EMERGING FROM GRADE
2. CONDUCTORS ENTERING BUILDINGS
3. SERVICE CONDUCTORS
4. ENCLOSURE OR RACEWAY DAMAGE
E. SPLICES AND TAPS
F. BACKFILL
G. RACEWAY SEALS
H. BUSHING
i. CONDUCTORS OF THE SAME CIRCUIT
J. EARTH MOVEMENT
K. DIRECTIONAL BONDING
[Link] PROTECTION AGAINST CORROSION AND DETERIORATION
a. FERROUS METAL EQUIPMENT
b. ALUMINUM METAL EQUIPMENT
c. NONMETALLIC EQUIPMENT
d. INDOOR WET LOCATIONS
[Link] RACEWAYS EXPOSED TO DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES
a. SEALING
b. EXPANSION, EXPANSION-DEFLECTIONS AND DEFLECTION
FITTINGS
[Link] INSTALLATION OF CONDUCTORS WITH OTHER SYSTEMS
[Link] RACEWAYS IN WET LOCATIONS ABOVEGRADE
[Link] ELECTRICAL CONTINUITY OF METAL RACEWAYS AND
ENCLOSURES
[Link] SECURING AND SUPPORTING
a. SECURED IN PLACE
b. WIRING SYSTEMS INSTALLED ABOVE SUSPENDED CEILINGS
c. RACEWAYS USED AS MEANS OF SUPPORT
d. CABLES NOT USED AS MEANS OF SUPPORT
[Link] MECHANICAL CONTINUITY – RACEWAYS AND CABLES
[Link] MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL CONTINUITY – CONDUCTORS
a. GENERAL
b. DEVICE REMOVAL
[Link] LENGTH OF FREE CONDUCTORS AT OUTLETS, JUNCTIONS,
AND SWITCH POINTS
[Link] BOXES, CONDUIT BODIES, OR FITTING – WHERE REQUIRED
a. WIRING METHODS WITH INTERIOR ACCESSORIES
b. EQUIPMENT
c. PROTECTION
d. TYPE MI CABLE
E. INTEGRAL ENCLOSURE
F. FITTING
G. DIRECT – BURIED CONDUCTORS
H. INSULATED DEVICES
I. ENCLOSURES
J. LUMINAIRES
K. EMBEDDED
L. MANHOLES AND HANDHOLE ENCLOSURES
[Link] RACEWAY OR CABLE TO OPEN OR CONCEALED WIRING
a. BOX, CONDUIT BODY, OR FITTING
b. BUSHING
[Link] NUMBER AND SIZE OF CONDUCTORS IN RACEWAY
[Link] RACEWAY INSTALLATIONS
a. COMPLETE RUNS
b. WELDING
[Link] SUPPORTING CONDUCTORS IN VERTICAL RACEWAYS
a. SPACING INTERVALS – MAXIMUM
b. FIRE – RATED CABLES AND CONDUCTORS
c. SUPPORT METHODS
[Link] INDUCED CURRENTS IN FERROUS METAL ENCLOSURES OR
FERROUS METAL RACEWAYS
a. CONDUCTORS GROUPED TOGETHER
b. INDIVIDUAL CONDUCTORS
[Link] SPREAD OF FIRE OR PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION
[Link] WIRING IN DUCTS NOT USED FOR AIR HANDLING,
FABRICATED DUCTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AIR, AND OTHER
SOURCES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AIR (PLENUMS)
a. DUCTS FOR DUST, LOOSE STOCK, OR VAPOR REMOVAL
b. DUCTS SPECIFICALLY FABRICATED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AIR
c. OTHER SPACES USED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AIR (PLENUMS)
d. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EQUIPMENT
[Link] PANELS DESIGNED TO ALLOW ACCESS
3.0.2 REQUIREMENTS FOR OVER 1000 VOLTS,
NOMINAL
[Link] COVERS REQUIRED
[Link] CONDUCTORS OF DIFFERENT SYSTEMS
[Link] CONDUCTOR BENDING RADIUS
[Link] PROTECTION AGAINST INDUCTION HEATING
[Link] ABOVEGROUND WIRING METHODS
[Link] RACEWAYS IN WET LOCATIONS ABOVE GRADE
[Link] BRAID – COVERED INSULATED CONDUCTORS – EXPOSED
INSTALLATIONS
[Link] INSULATION SHIELDING
[Link] MOISTURE OR MECHANICAL PROTECTION FOR METAL –
SHEATED CABLES
[Link] WARNING SIGNS
DANGER – HIGH VOLTAGE – KEEP OUT
[Link] UNDERGROUND INSTALLATIONS
a. GENERAL
b. WET LOCATIONS
c. PROTECTION FROM DAMAGE
d. SPLICES
e. BACKFILL
f. RACEWAY SEAL
ARTICLE 3.10 – CONDUCTORS FOR GENERAL WIRING
STRANDED CONDUCTORS
- THE CONDUCTORS INSTALLED IN RACEWAYS, SIZE 8.0 MM2 AND
LARGER SHALL BE STRANDED.
CONDUCTORS IN PARALLEL
- CONDUCTORS THAT ARE 50 MM2 AND LARGER (ALUMINUM, COPPER-
CLAD ALUMINUM, COPPER) ARE PERMITTED TO BE IN
PARALLEL. PARALLEL CONDUCTORS IN EACH PHASE, POLARITY,
NEUTRAL/GROUNDED CIRCUIT CONDUCTORS SHALL COMPLY WITH THE
FF:
1. BE THE SAME LENGTH
2. HAVE THE SAME CONDUCTOR MATERIAL
3. BE THE SAME CROSS SECTIONAL AREA OF THE CONDUCTING
MATERIAL
4. HAVE THE SAME INSULATION TYPE
5. BE TERMINATED IN THE SAME MANNER
SHIELDED
- SOLID DIELECTRIC INSULATED CONDUCTORS OPERATED ABOVE 2000
VOLTS IN PERMANENT INSTALLATIONS SHALL HAVE AN OZONE
RESISTANT INSULATION AND SHALL BE SHIELDED
LOCATIONS
A) DRY LOCATIONS - INSULATED CONDUCTORS AND CABLES OF ANY
TYPE CAN BE USED IN DRY LOCATIONS.
B) DRY AND DAMP LOCATIONS - INSULATED CONDUCTORS AND CABLES
USED IN DRY AND DAMP LOCATIONS SHALL BE OF
TYPES FEP, FEPB, MTW, PFA, RHH, RHW, RHW-2, SA, THHN, THW, THW-2,
THHW,
THHW-2, THWN, THWN-2, TW, XHH, XHHW, XHHW-2, Z, OR ZW
C) WET LOCATIONS - CONDUCTORS USED IN WET LOCATIONS SHALL BE:
1. MOISTURE-IMPERVIOUS METAL SHEATHED
2. TYPES MTW, RHW, RHW-2, TW, THW, THW-2, THHW, THHW-2, THWN,
THWN-2,
XHHW, XHHW-2, ZW
D) LOCATIONS EXPOSED TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT - INSULATED
CONDUCTORS OR CABLES EXPOSED TO DIRECT RAYS OF THE SUN
SHALL BE OF TYPES THAT ARE SUNLIGHT RESISTANT.
MARKING
A) REQUIRED INFORMATION - ALL CONDUCTORS AND CABLES SHALL
BE MARKED WITH THE FOLLOWING:
1. THE MAXIMUM RATED VOLTAGE.
2. PROPER TYPE OF LETTER OR LETTERS.
3. THE MANUFACTURER’S NAME, TRADEMARK, OR DISTINCTIVE
MARKING OF MANUFACTURER.
4. SIZE IN MILLIMETER SQUARE OR MILLIMETER DIAMETER.
5. CABLE ASSEMBLIES WHERE THE NEUTRAL CONDUCTOR IS
SMALLER THAN THE UNGROUNDED CONDUCTORS
B) METHOD OF MARKING
1. SURFACE MARKING - THE SIZE IN MM OR MM DIAMETER
SHALL BE REPEATED AT INTERVALS NOT EXCEEDING 600 MM.
ALL OTHER MARKINGS SHALL BE REPEATED AT INTERVALS NOT
EXCEEDING 1000 MM.
SINGLE-CONDUCTOR AND
MULTICONDUCTOR RUBBER AND THERMOPLASTIC INSULATED WIRE
NONMETALLIC-SHEATHED CABLE
SERVICE-ENTRANCE CABLE
UNDERGROUND FEEDER AND TRAY
2. MARKER TAPE - METAL-COVERED MULTICONDUCTOR CABLES
SHALL EMPLOY A MARKER TAPE.
3. TAG MARKING - PRINTED TAG SHALL BE
ATTACHED TO THE COIL, REEL OR CARTON FOR THE FOLLOWING:
MINERAL-INSULATED, METAL-
SHEATHED CABLE
SWITCHBOARD WIRES
METAL-COVERED, SINGLE-
CONDUCTOR CABLES
TYPE AC CABLE
C) SUFFIXES TO DESIGNATE NUMBER OF CONDUCTORS - A TYPE
LETTER TO INDICATE THE NUMBER OF CONDUCTORS.
D - TWO INSULATED CONDUCTORS LAY
PARALLEL WITH NONMETALLIC COVERING.
M - ASSEMBLY OF TWO OR MORE INSULATED
CONDUCTORS, TWISTED SPIRALLY WITH NONMETALLIC COVERING.
ALUMINUM CONDUCTOR MATERIAL
- ALL ALUMINUM ALLOY CONDUCTORS SHALL BE MADE OF AA-8000
SERIES ELECTRICAL GRADE ALUMINUM. ALUMINUM CONDUCTOR
MATERIAL
- ALL ALUMINUM ALLOY CONDUCTORS SHALL BE MADE OF AA-8000
SERIES ELECTRICAL GRADE ALUMINUM.
1. SOLID CONDUCTORS - 8.0 MM2 (3.2 MM DIA.), 5.5 MM2 (2.6 MM
DIA.), AND 3.5 MM2 (2.0 MM DIA.)
2. STRANDED CONDUCTORS - 8.0 MM2 THROUGH 500 MM2 (TYPE
RHH, RHW, XHHW, THW, THHW,
THWN, THHN, SERVICE-ENTRANCE TYPE SE STYLE U AND SE STYLE
R)
