Quick Hits

📱 EPISODE — Article 322

Flat Cable Assemblies: Type FC

SLIDE 1 — New Chapter, New Article!
📢 HEADS UP: WE'RE JUMPING INTO CHAPTER 3

Quick note for the sharp-eyed sparkies — Article 322 lives in Chapter 3 (Wiring Methods and Materials), not Chapter 2. We're picking this one up out of order, but don't worry — we'll circle back and finish the rest of Article 250 soon.

🔌 WHAT IS TYPE FC CABLE?

Flat Cable Assemblies (Type FC) are an assembly of three or four parallel 10 AWG special stranded copper wires formed into an insulating material web — basically a flat ribbon of conductors designed for surface metal raceway systems. Both the cable AND its fittings must be listed (322.2).

SLIDE 2 — Where You CAN and CAN'T Use It
✅ USES PERMITTED (322.10)

• Branch circuits supplying tap devices for lighting, small appliances, small power loads — max 30A branch circuit

• Exposed work installations only

• Areas free from physical damage (if mounted less than 8 ft above the floor/platform, it needs a protective cover identified for the use)

• Inside surface metal raceways identified for the use — raceway channels must be fully installed BEFORE pulling in the cable

🚫 USES NOT PERMITTED (322.12)

• Corrosive conditions (unless suitable for it)

• Hoistways, elevators, or escalators

• Hazardous (classified) locations (unless another article specifically allows it)

• Outdoors or wet/damp locations (unless identified for the use)

SLIDE 3 — Support, Fittings & Splices
🛠️ SUPPORT (322.30)
The cable is supported by its own special design features WITHIN the surface metal raceway — the raceway itself gets supported per its specific article requirements.

📦 BOXES & FITTINGS (322.40)

• Dead ends → terminated with an identified end-cap device (raceway dead-end fitting must also be identified for the use)

• Luminaire hangers → must be identified for the use

• Fittings → designed/installed to prevent physical damage to the cable

• Extensions → made using approved wiring methods, inside junction boxes at either end of the run

🔗 SPLICES & TAPS (322.56)

• Splices → ONLY in listed junction boxes

• Taps → made between any phase conductor and the grounded conductor (or another phase) using identified devices/fittings. Tap devices rated min. 15A, max 300V to ground

SLIDE 4 — Construction & Marking + Exam Question
🏗️ QUICK CONSTRUCTION SPECS

• 2, 3, 4, or 5 conductors total

• Conductors: 10 AWG special stranded copper only

• Insulation covering per Table 310.4(1)

🏷️ MARKING RULES

• Temperature rating marked every 600mm (24 in.) max

• Grounded conductor identified with distinctive white or gray marking throughout its length

• Terminal blocks: white = grounded conductor, black = next section, red = next, blue = outer/final section

🧠 TEST YOURSELF

Q: Per 322.10(1), what is the maximum branch-circuit rating permitted for a Type FC flat cable assembly?

A) 15 amperes
B) 20 amperes
C) 30 amperes
D) 50 amperes

(Drop your answer 👇)

Article 322 = DONE ✅ FOLLOW for more daily quick-hit NEC study notes ⚡ #JoshTheSparky #NEC2026 #ElectricianLife

Want me to pick back up finishing the rest of Article 250 (Parts II's remainder through Part IX) next, or continue forward through Chapter 3 from here since that seems to be the new direction?

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