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📱 EPISODE 2 — Article 344 (Part 2 of 2)

Bends, Securing, Couplings & Grounding — Article 344 Complete!

SLIDE 1 — Conductor Fill & Bends (344.22, 344.24)
🔢 SAME FILL RULES AS IMC

Conductor count limited by Chapter 9, Table 1 percentage fill — cables permitted too (subject to the same fill limits, where not prohibited by their own article).

🔄 BENDS

• Bend radius per Chapter 9, Table 2 — no damage, no reduced internal diameter

• Max 360° total bends per run between pull points — limits pulling tension and keeps future conductor removal/insertion manageable

SLIDE 2 — Reaming, Threading & Terminations
🔧 CUTTING & THREADING (344.28)

Cut ends must be REAMED to remove rough edges. Field threading uses a 1-in-16 taper cutting die.

⚠️ Special note for PVC-coated RMC: must be threaded per MANUFACTURER'S instructions to avoid damaging the exterior coating — standard tools can strip that protective coating and expose the conduit to corrosion.

🔩 TERMINATIONS (344.29)
Same rule as IMC: if conduit threads enter a box/cabinet through a NON-threaded opening, a locknut or fitting goes on BOTH the inside AND outside.

SLIDE 3 — Securing & Supporting (344.30)
🛠️ SAME 3-FT / 10-FT FRAMEWORK AS IMC — PLUS A DETAILED TABLE

Securely fastened: within 3 ft of terminations (extendable to 5 ft where structural members don't allow); above-roof mast terminations exempted.

Supported: general max 10 ft intervals — BUT RMC has a size-based table (Table 344.30(B)) for straight runs with threaded couplings:
🔹 ½–¾ in. → 10 ft
🔹 1 in. → 12 ft
🔹 1¼–1½ in. → 14 ft
🔹 2–2½ in. → 16 ft
🔹 3 in. and larger → 20 ft

Bigger conduit = longer allowable support spacing. Exposed vertical risers (industrial equipment) can go up to 20 ft too, under the same conditions as IMC.

SLIDE 4 — Couplings, Grounding & Construction + Final Exam Question
🔗 COUPLINGS/CONNECTORS (344.42) — SAME RULES AS IMC

Concrete-tight fittings for masonry/concrete burial, wet-location-listed fittings for wet areas, listed fittings for threaded ends. Running threads NOT permitted for couplings.

🛡️ BUSHINGS (344.46): required where conduit enters a box/enclosure, unless the enclosure itself protects against abrasion.

🌎 GROUNDING (344.60): RMC IS permitted as an equipment grounding conductor.

🏗️ CONSTRUCTION (344.100): steel with protective coatings, aluminum, red brass, OR stainless steel.

🏷️ MARKING (344.120): identified every 10 ft (3m) per 110.21(A). Nonferrous corrosion-resistant conduit needs suitable markings too.

🎉 That's a wrap on Article 344 — Rigid Metal Conduit!

🧠 FINAL EXAM QUESTION FOR ARTICLE 344

Q: Per Table 344.30(B), what is the maximum support distance for RMC in trade sizes 3 in. and larger?

A) 10 ft
B) 14 ft
C) 16 ft
D) 20 ft

(Drop your final answer 👇)

Article 344 = DONE ✅ FOLLOW for more daily quick-hit NEC study notes ⚡ #JoshTheSparky #NEC2026 #ElectricianLife

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