PREASSEMBLED CABLE

IN NONMETALLIC CONDUIT A. General 343-1. Description. Preassembled cable in nonmetallic conduit is a listed factory assembly of conductors or cables inside a nonmetallic, smooth wall conduit with a circular cross section. The nonmetallic conduit shall be composed of a material that is resistant to moisture and corrosive agents. It shall also be capable of being supplied on reels without damage or distortion and shall be of sufficient strength to withstand abuse, such as impact or crushing, in handling and during installation without damage to conduit or conductors. 343-2. Other Articles. Installations for preassembled cable in nonmetallic conduit shall comply with the provisions of the applicable sections of Article 300. Where equipment grounding is required by Article 250, an assembly containing a separate equipment grounding conductor shall be used. 343-3. Uses Permitted. The use of preassembled cable in nonmetallic conduit and fittings shall be permitted: (1) For direct burial underground installation. For minimum cover requirements, see Tables 300-5 and 710-4(b) under rigid nonmetallic conduit. (2) Encased or embedded in concrete. (3) In cinder fill. (4) In underground locations subject to severe corrosive influences as covered in Section 300-6 and where subject to chemicals for which the assembly is specifically approved. 70-240 NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE 343-4. Uses Not Permitted. Preassembled cable in nonmetallic conduit shall not be used: (1) In exposed locations. (2) Inside buildings. Exception: The conductor portion of the assembly shall be permitted to extend within the building for termination purposes. (3) In hazardous (classified) locations. Exception: As covered in Sections 503-3(a), 504-20, 514-8, and 515-5, and in Class I, Division 2 locations as permitted in the exception to Section 501-4(b). B. Installation 343-5. Size. (a) Minimum. Preassembled cable in nonmetallic conduit smaller than 1/2-inch (13-mm) electrical trade size shall not be used. (b) Maximum. Preassembled cable in nonmetallic conduit larger than 2-inch (50-mm) electrical trade size shall not be used. 343-6. Trimming. For termination, the conduit shall be trimmed away from the conductors or cables using an approved method that will not damage the conductor or cable insulation or jacket. All ends shall be trimmed inside and out to remove rough edges. 343-7. Joints. All joints between conduit, fittings, and boxes shall be made by an approved method. 343-8. Conductor Terminations. All terminations between the conductors or cables and equipment shall be made by an approved method for that type of conductor or cable. 343-9. Bushings. Where the preassembled cable in nonmetallic conduit enters a box, fitting, or other enclosure, a bushing or adapter shall be provided to protect the conductor or cable from abrasion unless the design of the box, fitting, or enclosure provides equivalent protection. (FPN): See Section 373-6(c) for the protection of conductors size No. 4 or larger. 343-10. Bends-How Made. Bends of preassembled cable in nonmetallic conduit shall be manually made so that the conduit will not be damaged and the internal diameter of the conduit will not be effectively reduced. 343-11. Bends-Number in One Run. There shall not be more than the equivalent of four quarter bends (360 degrees total) between termination points. 343-12. Splices and Taps. Splices and taps shall be made in junction boxes or other enclosures. See Article 370.