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Do Conduit Rules apply to Panduit Raceways??

Do Conduit Rules apply to Panduit Raceways??

Do Conduit Rules apply to Panduit Raceways??

(OP)
I work for a company that designs & builds power substations.  Our substations typically have control buildings and one of the items inside are relay panels.  We have a panel shop who manufactures our relay panels as well as install all devices on the panel such as relays, lockout relays, test switches, etc.  

Most of the devices mount to the front side of the relay panel.  On the inside of the panel, on either side, the panel shop will install terminal blocks from top to bottom.  All wiring between outdoor equipment or other relay panels lands here before connecting to any devices in the relay panel (relays, test switches,etc.).  

To maintain a neat environment, panel shops typically employ Panduit raceways to accomodate all wiring between the terminal blocks and the devices or between any two devices within relay panel.  These are "u-shaped" wireways with plastic fingers on the side to allow for individual conductors to exit raceway and terminate at destination.  A cover is slid over the top after all conductors have been pulled ( a picture of this has been included).

Our customer did a check-out of the control building and has claimed the Panduit raceways have been filled beyond capacity and cited the NEC as their source.  Although they have yet to produce the exact code we are in violation of, they did make reference to conduit fill rules and how they would be applicable in this situation.  Although the raceways have been filled to the top, the covers can still be slid on and off with ease.  The customer's contention is there should be more room inside the panduit and not filled to the brim.

I have been doing this for over 10 years have never confronted this question before.  I don't believe the Panduit raceway has to meet the same criteria as the conduit.

Does anyone have thoughts on this.

Thanks for your help.

RE: Do Conduit Rules apply to Panduit Raceways??

The NEC doesn't apply.  Check NEMA and UL.
there is a NEC section on wireway (not panduit) that lets you put more wires in a wireway thean the equivalent area of conduit.  

RE: Do Conduit Rules apply to Panduit Raceways??

If your panel shop is a UL listed shop, then let them answer your customers question (there should be a little sticker on their panels indicating that they are).

RE: Do Conduit Rules apply to Panduit Raceways??

Panduit gives a good explanation that you can fill up to 90% of duct area based on 50% fill specified by NFPA 79-2002 - see page F11 of http://stevenengineering.com/tech_support/PDFs/34WIRE.pdf

xnuke
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