CHAPTER 3 ARTICLE 30) — GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WIRING METHODS AND MATERIALS [ROP 3-81 a (B) Temperature. Temperature limitation of conductors ARTICLE 300 shall be in accordance with 310.15(A)G). General Requirements for Wiring Methods and Materials [ROP 3-8] (A) All Wiring Installations. ‘This article covers general requirements for wiring methods and materials for all wir ing installations unless modified by other articles in Chap- ter 3. [ROP 3-9] (B) Integral Parts of Equipment. ‘The provisions of this article are not intended to apply to the conductors that form an integral part of equipment, such as motors, controllers, ‘motor control centers, or factory assembled control equip- ‘ment or listed utilization equipment. (© Metric Designators and Trade Sizes. Metric designa- (ors and trade sizes for conduit, tubing, and associated fi tings and accessories shall be as designated in Table 300.1(0), Table 300.1(C) Metric Designators and Trade 53 2 83 2 78 or 34 103 4 129 5 135 6 Note: The metric designators and trade sizes are for idemiication purposes only and are not actual dimensions 300.2 Limitations. (A) Voltage. Wiring methods specified in Chapter 3 shall bee used for 1000 volts, nominal, or less where not specifi- cally limited in some section of Chapter 3. They shall be permitted for over 600 volts, nominal, where specifically permitted elsewhere in this Code, [ROP 3-10] 0-14 300, Conductors. (A) Single Conductors. Single conductors specified in Table 310.104(A) shall only be installed where part of recognized wiring method of Chapter 3. Exception: Individual conductors shall be permitted where installed as separate overhead conductors in accor: dance with 225.6. 1¢ Same Circuit, All conductors of ‘where used, the grounded conductor ding conductors and bonding con- within the same raceway, auxil- assembly, trench, cable, of jerwise permitted in accordance with ugh (B)4). (a) Pat Installations. Conductors shall be permit- parallel in accordance with the provisions 1e requirement to run all circuit conductors the’ same raceway, auxiliary gutter, cable tay, nch, cable, or cord shall apply separately to each portion the paralleled installation, and the equipment grounding ductors shall comply with the provisions of 250.122. Parallel runs in cable tray shall comply with the provisions (of 392,20(C). Exception: Conductors installed in nonmetallic raceways ‘run underground shall be permitted to be arranged as iso- lated phase installations. The raceways shall be installed in close proximity, and the conductors shall comply with the provisions of 300.20(B), (2) Grounding and Bonding Conductors. Equipment grounding conductors shall be permitted to be installed out- side a raceway or cable assembly where in accordance with the provisions of 250.130(C) for certain existing installa- tions or in accordance with 250.134(B), Exception No. 2, for de circuits. Equipment bonding conductors shall be pe mitted to be installed on the outside of raceways in accor- dance with 250,102). (3) Nonferrous Wiring Methods. Conductors in wiring methods with a nonmetallic or other nonmagnetic sheath, where run in different raceways, auxiliary gutters, cable trays, trenches, cables, or cords, shall comply with the pro- visions of 300.20(B). Conductors in single-conductor Type MI cable with a nonmagnetic sheath shall comply with the provisions of 332.31. Conductors of single-conductor Type NATIONALELECTRICAL CODE 2014 Elton(GENERAL, REQUIREMENTS POR WIRING METHODS AND MATERIALS (ROP 3-8] 3004 [MC cable with a nonmagnetic sheath shall comply with the provisions of 330.31, 330.116, and 300.20(B), (4) Enclosures. Where an auxiliary gutter runs between a ccolumn-width panelboard and a pull box, and the pull box includes neutral terminations, the neutral conductors of cir- cuits supplied from the panelboard shall be permitied to originate in the pull box. (©) Conduetors of Different Systems. (1) 1000 Volts, Nominal, or Less. Conductors of ac and de circuits, rated 1000 volts, nominal, or less, shall be permit- ted to occupy the sume equipment wiring enclosure, cable, ‘or raceway. All conductors shall have an insulation rating ‘equal to a Ieast the maximum circuit voltage applied to any conductor within the enclosure, cable, or raceway. [ROP 312] ‘econdary wiring to electric-discharge lamps of 1000 volts or less, if insulated for the secondary voltage in- volved, shall be permitted to occupy the same luminaire, sign, or outline lighting enclosure as the branch circuit con- ductors, [ROP 3-12] Informational Note No. I; See 725.136(A) for Class 2 Cass 3 circuit conductors, Informational Note No. 2; See 690.4(B) for photovolt source and output circuits 2) Over 1000 Volts, Nominal. Coi rated over 1000 volts, nominal, shal equipment wiring enclosure, cable, ductors of circuits rated 1000 312) mitted (© occupy the same lumi€aire, sign, or outline lighting enclosure as the branch-circuit conductors. [ROP 3412] (b) Excitation, control, rel: used in connection with any individual motor or starter shall be permitted to occupy the same enclosure as the motor-circuit conductors. [ROP 3-12] (©) In motors, transformers, switchgear, switchboards, control assemblies, and similar equipment, conductors of different voltage ratings shall be permitted. [ROP 3-12, ROP 3.15, ROP 3-158] (@) In manholes, if the conductors of each system are permanently and effectively separated from the conductors of the other systems and securely fastened to racks, insula- tors, or other approved supports, conductors of different voltage ratings shall be permitted. [ROP 3-12] ‘and ammeter conductors ‘Conductors having nonshielded insulation and operat ing at different voltage levels shall not occupy the same enclosure, cable, or raceway. 300.4 Protection Against Physical Damage. Where sub- ject to physical damage, conductors, raceways, and cables shall be protected. (A) Cables and Raceways Through Wood Members. (2) Bored Holes. In both exposed and concealed locations, where a cable- or raceway-type wiring method is installed through bored holes in joists, rafters, or wood members, holes shall be bored so that the edge of the hole is not less than 32 mm (1°/ in.) from the nearest edge of the wood member. Where this distance cannot be maintained, the ly shall be protected from penetration by is by a steel plate(s) or bushings), at least thick, and of appropriate Tength and width area of the wiring. sel plates shall not be required to id metal Conduit, intermediate metal conduit, allie conduit, or electrical metallic tubing. tion No, 2: A listed and marked steel plate less than ‘Yr in.) thick that provides equal or better protec- st nail or screw penetration shall be permitted. 2} Rotches in Wood. Where there is no objection because ‘of weakening the building structure, in both exposed and concealed locations, cables or raceways shall be permitted to be laid in notches in wood studs, joists, rafters, or other ‘wood members where the cable or raceway at those points is protected against nails or screws by a stecl plate at least 1.6 mm (Ae in.) thick, and of appropriate length and width, installed to cover the area of the wiring. The steel plate shall be installed before the building finish is applied Exception No. I: Steel plates shall not be required to protect rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic tubing. Exception No. 2: A listed and marked steel plate less than 1.6 mm (i in.) thick that provides equal or better protec: tion against nail or screw penetration shall be permitted. (B) Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cables and Electrical Non- metallic Tubing Through Metal Framing Members. (1) Nonmetallie-Sheathed Cable. In both exposed and concealed locations where nonmetallic-sheathed cables pass through either factory- or field-punched, eut, or drilled slots or holes in metal members, the cable shall be pro- tected by listed bushings or listed grommets covering all ‘metal edges that are securely fastened in the opening prior to installation of the cable. 2) Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable and Electrical Nonme- {allie Tubing, Where nails or serews are likely to penetrate To-1453005: ARTICLE 200 (GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR WIRING METHODS AND MATERIALS [ROP 3-8] ‘nonmetallic-sheathed cable or electrical nonmetallic tubing, a steel sleeve, steel plate, or steel clip not less than 1.6 mm (As in.) in thickness shall be used to protect the cable or tubing. Exception: A listed and marked steel plate less than 1.6 mm ("is in.) thick that provides equal or better protec- tion against nail or serew penetration shall be permitted. (C) Cables Through Spaces Behind Panels Designed to Alllow Access. Cables or raceway-type wiring methods, in- stalled behind panels designed to allow access, shall be supported according to their applicable anicles. (D) Cables and Raceways Parallel to Framing Mem- bers and Furring Strips. In both exposed and concealed locations, where a cable- or raceway-type wiring method is installed parallel to framing members, such as joists, rafters, or studs, or is installed parallel to furring strips, the cable or raceway shall be installed and supported so that the nearest outside surface of the cable or raceway is not less than 32 mm (114 in) from the nearest edge of the framing ‘member ot furring strips where nails or screws are likely to penetrate, Where this distance cannot be maintained, the table or raceway shall be protected from penetration by, nails or screws by a steel plate, sleeve, or equivalent at least 1.6 mm (Ye in.) thick Exception No. 1: Steel plates, sleeves, or the shall not be required to protect rigid metal os ‘mediate metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic a trical metallic tubing. Exception No. 2: For concealed. ings, or finished panels for pref such supporting is impractic {fish the cables between access Exception No. 3: A listed and mark tion against nail or serew penetration shafl be permitted. (E) Cables, Raceways, or Boxes Installed in or Under Roof Decking, A cable, raceway, or box, installed in ex posed or concealed locations under metal-corrugated sheet roof decking, shall be installed and supported so there is not less than 38 mm (114 in.) measured from the lowest surface of the roof decking to the top of the cable, raceway, or box. A cable, raceway, of box shall not be installed in concealed locations in metal-corrugated, sheet decking type roof, Informational Note: Roof decking material is often re paired of replaced after the initial raceway of cabling and insallation and may be penetated by the screws or ‘ther mechanical devices designed to provide “hold down” strength of the waterproof membrane or roof insulating material 0-146 Exception: Rigid metal conduit and intermediate metal conduit shall not be required to comply with 300.4(E). (F) Cables and Raceways Installed in Shallow Grooves. Cable- or raceway-type wiring methods installed in a groove, to be covered by wallboard, siding, paneling, car peting, or similar finish, shall be protected by 1.6 mm (VA« in.) thick steel plate, sleeve, or equivalent or by not less than 32-mm (1'/-in.) free space for the full length of the groove in which the cable or raceway is installed Exception No. 1: Steel plates, sleeves, or the equivalent shall not be required to protect rigid metal conduit, inter mediate metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, or elec trical metallic tubing. Exception No.2: 4 1.6 mim (Ys in) ted and marked steel plate less than that provides equal or better protec: ew penetration shall be permitted. ere raceways contain 4 AWG juctors, and these conductors box, an enclosure, or a raceway, the con- protected by an identified fitting providing rounded insulating surface, unless the conduc from the filling or raceway by identified il that is securely fastened in place, Where threaded hubs or bosses that are an tegral part of a cabinet, box, enclosure, or raceway pro @ smoothly rounded or flared entry for conductors. Conduit bushings constructed wholly of insulating ma- terial shall not be used to secure a fitting or raceway. The insulating fiting or insulating material shall have a tem perature rating not less than the insulation temperature rat- ing of the installed conductors. (H) Structural Joints. A listed expansion/dedlection fitting or other approved means shall be used where a raceway crosses a structural joint intended for expansion, contrac: tion or deflection, used in buildings, bridges, parking ga- rages, or other structures. 300.5 Underground Installations. (A) Minimum Cover Requirements. Direct-buried cable or conduit or other raceways shall be installed to meet the ‘minimum cover requirements of Table 300.5. {B) Wet Locations. The interior of enclosures or raceways installed underground shall be considered to be a wet loca tion, Insulated conductors and cables installed in these en- closures or raceways in underground installations. shall comply with 310,10(C). Any connections or splices in an underground instalation shall be approved for wet loca tions. [ROP 3-40] NATIONALELECTRICAL CODE 2014 Elton