National Electrical Installation Standards

Standards as High as Your Own

 
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Thursday, December 22, 2016

Question:

Hello,

I am an apprentice working in an office building and we are running power for a floor box in center of an office room. Is there a depth requirement for the PVC used to protect the conductors?

Thank you, Joe C

A

Answer:

Hey Joe thanks for your question and for participating in Code Question of the Day. There is no depth requirement of PVC conduit encased in concrete in the NEC. It is common to tie the conduit to reinforcing steel to keep it from floating up when concrete is poured. Placing it in the center of the slab will reduce the likelihood someone will drill into it at a later time. Check with the building official to see if the floor specifications include a minimum cover depth.

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CHARLIE TROUT: Charles M. Trout, better known as Charlie, was a nationally known NEC® expert and author. He served on several NEC® technical committees and is past chairman of CMP-12. In 2006 Charlie was awarded the prestigious Coggeshall Award for outstanding contributions to the electrical contracting industry, codes and standards development, and technical training. Even though Charlie passed away in October of 2015, his work continues in spirit. NECA continues to maintain this question forum for its many subscribers in memory and recognition of all his significant contributions to making the NEC what it is today.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: Unless the question requests a response based on a specific edition, all answers are based on the latest edition of NFPA 70® National Electrical Code®.

This correspondence is not a formal interpretation of the NEC® and any responses expressed to the questions are opinions and do not necessarily represent the official position of NECA, NFPA, the NEC Correlating Committee any Code-making panel or other electrical technical committee. In addition, this correspondence is neither intended, nor should it be relied upon, to provide professional consultation or services. 

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