300.11(B) Raceways Used as Means of Support.
Code Change Summary: A clarification was made to address the use of a raceway to support other wiring methods.
Generally, raceways containing conductors cannot be used to support other wiring methods. The 2011 NEC® allowed a raceway to be used to support other wiring methods if the raceway was “identified for the purpose”.
According to Article 100, identified means “recognizable as suitable for the specific purpose, function, use, environment, application, and so forth, where described in a particular code requirement”.
The new code language allows a raceway to support other wiring methods if the raceway is “identified as a means of support”.
Either way, the new code language still seems to provide no clear direction. Generally speaking, raceways are not usually identified for supporting other raceways. Here are the most common applications where a raceway can support another wiring method:
- A raceway providing power to equipment can support associated Class 2 circuit conductors that are for the same equipment’s control circuits.
- A raceway can support boxes, conduit bodies or luminaires where installed in accordance with 314.23 or 410.36(E).
Below is a preview of the NEC®. See the actual NEC® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on the “free access” tab and select the applicable year of NFPA 70 (National Electrical code).
2011 Code Language:
300.11(B) Raceways Used as Means of Support. Raceways shall be used only as a means of support for other raceways, cables, or nonelectrical equipment under any of the following conditions:
(1) Where the raceway or means of support is identified for the purpose.
(2) Where the raceway contains power supply conductors for electrically controlled equipment and is used to support Class 2 circuit conductors or cables that are solely for the purpose of connection to the equipment control circuits.
(3) Where the raceway is used to support boxes or conduit bodies in accordance with 314.23 or to support luminaires in accordance with 410.36(E).
2014 Code Language:
300.11(B) Raceways Used as Means of Support. Raceways shall be used only as a means of support for other raceways, cables, or nonelectrical equipment under any of the following conditions:
(1) Where the raceway or means of support is identified as a means of support.
(2) Where the raceway contains power supply conductors for electrically controlled equipment and is used to support Class 2 circuit conductors or cables that are solely for the purpose of connection to the equipment control circuits
(3) Where the raceway is used to support boxes or conduit bodies in accordance with 314.23 or to support luminaires in accordance with 410.36(E).