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Article 388 (1 of 1)
Surface Nonmetallic Raceways — Full Article Breakdown!

SLIDE 1 — Scope, Listing & Reconditioned Equipment (388.1, 388.2, 388.3)
🏗️ WHAT IS A SURFACE NONMETALLIC RACEWAY?
Often resembles base or chair rail molding — lets you run circuit conductors without cutting into the wall. Commonly used for power, CATV, and communications outlets together.
✅ Must be LISTED — both the raceway and its associated fittings (388.2).
🚫 Reconditioned surface nonmetallic raceways AND reconditioned fittings are NOT permitted to be installed (388.3(B)).

SLIDE 2 — Uses Permitted & Not Permitted (388.10, 388.12)
✅ WHERE YOU CAN USE THEM
1️⃣ Dry locations
2️⃣ Extensions transversely through dry walls/partitions/floors — if unbroken through the wall, with conductor access maintained on BOTH sides
⛔ WHERE YOU CAN'T USE THEM
1️⃣ Concealed — except as permitted in 388.10(2)
2️⃣ Severe physical damage
3️⃣ 300V+ between conductors — unless listed for higher voltage
4️⃣ Hoistways
5️⃣ Hazardous (classified) locations — unless another article permits it
6️⃣ Ambient temps exceeding the raceway's listing
7️⃣ Conductors whose insulation temp rating exceeds what the raceway is listed for

SLIDE 3 — Conductors, Support, Splices & Combination Raceways (388.21, 388.22, 388.30, 388.56, 388.70)
📏 SIZE & NUMBER (388.21, 388.22)
No conductor larger than the raceway is designed for; number of conductors/cables can't exceed the design rating — cables permitted where not prohibited by their own cable articles.
📏 SUPPORT (388.30)
Per the manufacturer's installation instructions.
🔗 SPLICES & TAPS (388.56)
🔹 Permitted where the cover can be opened in place and stays accessible — combined fill ≤75% of the raceway's area at that point
🔹 No openable cover → splices/taps only in boxes
🔀 COMBINATION RACEWAYS (388.70)
Signaling systems and lighting/power circuits must run in SEPARATE compartments, identified by stamping, imprinting, or color coding of the interior finish.

SLIDE 4 — Construction & Marking (388.100, 388.120) + Final Exam
🏗️ CONSTRUCTION (388.100)
🔹 Distinguishable from other raceway types
🔹 Sections/fittings mechanically couple together without abrading wires
🔹 Material must resist moisture and chemical atmospheres, be flame retardant, resist impact/crushing, resist heat distortion, and resist low-temp effects
🏷️ MARKING (388.120)
Limited smoke-producing raceways CAN be identified as such. Each length must be clearly/durably identified per the first sentence of 110.21(A).

🧠 FINAL EXAM QUESTION FOR ARTICLE 388
Q: Per 388.56, splices and taps in a surface nonmetallic raceway WITHOUT a cover capable of being opened in place shall be made only where?
A) At the raceway's dead end
B) In boxes
C) Anywhere accessible
D) They are not permitted at all
(Drop your final answer 👇)

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