Q&A for How to Install Electrical Conduits

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  • Question
    What is required to couple two cut pipes?
    Community Answer
    A coupling is required. They come in two types: setscrew for dry applications and compression for wet and damp applications.
  • Question
    Are these steps in accordance with the PEC?
    Community Answer
    For the most part, yes. However, you should never hang a strap as shown in the image. The screws securing the strap should be under the pipe when running horizontally, not above.
  • Question
    What is the appropriate spacing of the straps?
    Community Answer
    The straps should be no more than 10 feet apart along the conduit and no more than three feet from any coupling or fitting.
  • Question
    What type wire do I need for 15 amp basement wiring?
    Community Answer
    14 gauge THHN is most preferred, but if it were me, I would run 12 gauge as if it were 20 amp just in case I ever want to refeed the circuit. Basements should be 20 amp.
  • Question
    Can I cover over a conduit?
    Community Answer
    Yes, as long as both ends of the pipe are accessible after covering. However, if it is just a sleeve, for example, to feed a wire under a patio to the yard and it ends in the wall it can be ok to cover up without access to end of the pipe.
  • Question
    Can I pull the wire from the breaker box through the rafters if I am installing outlets in the cellar?
    Mmusi Siwayo
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can, provided the the wires are properly sheathed and in conduits. Also make sure the wires are not in a place where they could be in contact with water should there be any leakage.
  • Question
    How many lights can I run on a 15-20 amp breaker?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the light wattage but a good rule of thumb is to assume each 100-watt light bulb will pull 1 amp. So, a 15 amp breaker can support 15 100-watt light bulbs or 30 50-watt bulbs or 60 25-watt bulbs. This rule of thumb also takes into consideration that a breaker should only be filled to 80% capacity (e.g. a 100-watt light bulb only pulls about 0.83 amps).
  • Question
    What is used to protect the wiring from the end where it is entering when installing electrical conduits?
    Community Answer
    Assuming the wire is entering into a breaker box, attach a male terminal adapter along with a conduit locknut. You could then install a plastic insulated bushing to the end of the male terminal adapter.
  • Question
    Which side of the plug in is positive and negative?
    Top Answerer
    In an Alternating Current (AC) system, the positive and negative alternate through the "hot" and the "neutral" conductors at the power frequency (usually 50 or 60 times per second). The "hot" conductor is generally the smaller blade of the two.
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