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Article 386 (1 of 1)
Surface Metal Raceways — Full Article Breakdown!

SLIDE 1 — Scope, Listing & Reconditioned Equipment (386.1, 386.2, 386.3)
🏗️ WHAT IS A SURFACE METAL RACEWAY?
Lets you extend branch-circuit wiring to new switch-controlled outlets WITHOUT tearing into finished building surfaces.
✅ Must be LISTED — both the raceway and its associated fittings (386.2).
🚫 Reconditioned surface metal raceways AND reconditioned fittings are NOT permitted to be installed (386.3(B)).

SLIDE 2 — Uses Permitted & Not Permitted (386.10, 386.12)
✅ WHERE YOU CAN USE THEM
1️⃣ Dry locations
2️⃣ Class I, Division 2 hazardous locations — as permitted in 501.10(B)(3)
3️⃣ Under raised floors — as permitted in 645.6(E)(2)
4️⃣ Extensions through dry walls/partitions/floors — if the length passing through is unbroken, with conductor access maintained on BOTH sides
⛔ WHERE YOU CAN'T USE THEM
1️⃣ Severe physical damage — unless otherwise approved
2️⃣ 300V+ between conductors — unless metal thickness ≥1.02mm (0.040 in.) nominal
3️⃣ Corrosive vapors
4️⃣ Hoistways
5️⃣ Concealed — except as permitted in 386.10

SLIDE 3 — Conductors: Size & Number (386.21, 386.22)
📏 SIZE LIMIT (386.21)
No conductor larger than what the raceway is designed for.
📊 NUMBER OF CONDUCTORS (386.22)
🔹 Can't exceed the number the raceway is designed for — marked on the raceway or its shipping package
🔹 Cables permitted where not prohibited by their own cable articles
🔹 310.15(C)(1) adjustment factors do NOT apply IF ALL THREE are true: raceway cross-section > 2500mm² (4 in.²), current-carrying conductors ≤ 30, AND total conductor area ≤ 20% of interior cross-section

SLIDE 4 — Support, Splices, Grounding & Combination Raceways (386.30, 386.56, 386.60, 386.70) + Final Exam
📏 SUPPORT (386.30)
Per the manufacturer's installation instructions — no fixed spacing given in this article.
🔗 SPLICES & TAPS (386.56)
🔹 Permitted in raceways with a removable, accessible cover — combined fill ≤75% of the raceway's area at that point
🔹 NO removable cover → splices/taps only allowed in boxes
🔹 Type FC cable taps must follow 322.56(B)
🌎 GROUNDING (386.60)
Enclosures transitioning from other wiring methods must have a means for connecting an EGC (e.g., a grounding screw or lug where fed by MC or NM cable).
🔀 COMBINATION RACEWAYS (386.70)
Signaling systems and lighting/power circuits must run in SEPARATE compartments, identified by stamping, imprinting, or color coding of the interior finish.

🧠 FINAL EXAM QUESTION FOR ARTICLE 386
Q: Per 386.12(2), a surface metal raceway can be used at 300V or more between conductors only if the metal thickness is at least what?
A) 0.020 in. (0.51mm)
B) 0.040 in. (1.02mm)
C) 0.060 in. (1.52mm)
D) 0.100 in. (2.54mm)
(Drop your final answer 👇)

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