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Section E3406 Electrical Conductors and Connections
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This section provides general requirements for conductors, connections and splices. These requirements do not apply to conductors that form an integral part of equipment, such as motors, appliances and similar equipment, or to conductors specifically provided for elsewhere in Chapters 34 through 43. (310.1)
Conductors used to conduct current shall be of copper or aluminum except as otherwise provided in Chapters 34 through 43. Where the conductor material is not specified, the material and the sizes given in these chapters shall apply to copper conductors. Where other materials are used, the conductor sizes shall be changed accordingly. (110.5)
The minimum size of conductors for feeders and branch circuits shall be 14 AWG copper and 12 AWG aluminum. The minimum size of service conductors shall be as specified in Chapter 36. The minimum size of Class 2 remote control, signaling and power-limited circuits conductors shall be as specified in Chapter 43. [310.106(A)]
Except where otherwise permitted in Sections E3605.1 and E3908.9, and E4303, current-carrying conductors shall be insulated. Insulated conductors shall have insulation types identified as RHH, RHW, RHW-2, THHN, THHW, THW, THW-2, THWN, THWN-2, TW, UF, USE, USE-2, XHHW or XHHW-2. Insulation types shall be approved for the application. [310.10(B), (C), 310.104]
Circuit conductors that are connected in parallel shall be limited to sizes 1/0 AWG and larger. Conductors in parallel shall: be of the same length; consist of the same conductor material; be the same circular mil area and have the same insulation type. Conductors in parallel shall be terminated in the same manner. Where run in separate raceways or cables, the raceway or cables shall have the same physical characteristics. Where conductors are in separate raceways or cables, the same number of conductors shall be used in each raceway or cable. [310.10(H)]
All conductors of the same circuit and, where used, the grounded conductor and all equipment grounding conductors and bonding conductors shall be contained within the same raceway, cable or cord. [300.3(B)]
Terminals and splicing connectors shall be identified for the material of the conductors joined. Conductors of dissimilar metals shall not be joined in a terminal or splicing connector where physical contact occurs between dissimilar conductors such as copper and aluminum, copper and copper-clad aluminum, or aluminum and copper-clad aluminum, except where the device is listed for the purpose and conditions of application. Materials such as inhibitors and compounds shall be suitable for the application and shall be of a type that will not adversely affect the conductors, installation or equipment. (110.14)
Connectors and terminals for conductors that are more finely stranded than Class B and Class C stranding as shown in Table E3406.9, shall be identified for the specific conductor class or classes. (110.14)
TABLE E3406.9 (Chapter 9, Table 10)
CONDUCTOR STRANDINGc
| CONDUCTOR SIZE | NUMBER OF STRANDS | |||
| Copper | Aluminum | |||
| AWG or kcmil | mm2 | Class B | Class C | Class B |
| 24-30 | 0.20-0.05 | Note a | — | — |
| 22 | 0.32 | 7 | — | — |
| 20 | 0.52 | 10 | — | — |
| 18 | 0.82 | 16 | — | — |
| 16 | 1.3 | 26 | — | — |
| 14-2 | 2.1-33.6 | 7 | 19 | 7b |
| 1-4/0 | 42.4-107 | 19 | 37 | 19 |
| 250-500 | 127-253 | 37 | 61 | 37 |
| 600-1000 | 304-508 | 61 | 91 | 61 |
| 1250-1500 | 635-759 | 91 | 127 | 91 |
| 1750-2000 | 886-1016 | 127 | 271 | 127 |
- Number of strands vary.
- Aluminum 14 AWG (2.1 mm2) is not available.
- With the permission of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., this material is reproduced from UL Standard 486A-B, Wire Connectors, which is copyrighted by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., Northbrook, Illinois. While use of this material has been authorized, UL shall not be responsible for the manner in which the information is presented, nor for any interpretations thereof.
Connection of conductors to terminal parts shall be made without damaging the conductors and shall be made by means of pressure connectors, including set-screw type, by means of splices to flexible leads, or for conductor sizes of 10 AWG and smaller, by means of wire binding screws or studs and nuts having upturned lugs or the equivalent. Terminals for more than one conductor and terminals for connecting aluminum conductors shall be identified for the application. [110.14(A)]
Conductors shall be spliced or joined with splicing devices listed for the purpose. Splices and joints and the free ends of conductors shall be covered with an insulation equivalent to that of the conductors or with an insulating device listed for the purpose. Wire connectors or splicing means installed on conductors for direct burial shall be listed for such use. [110.14(B)]
Conductors in raceways shall be continuous between outlets, boxes, and devices and shall be without splices or taps in the raceway.
Exception: Splices shall be permitted within surface-mounted raceways that have a removable cover. [300.13(A)]
The continuity of a grounded conductor in multiwire branch circuits shall not be dependent on connection to devices such as receptacles and lampholders. The arrangement of grounding connections shall be such that the disconnection or the removal of a receptacle, luminaire or other device fed from the box does not interfere with or interrupt the grounding continuity. [300.13(B)]
Where conductors are to be spliced, terminated or connected to fixtures or devices, a minimum length of 6 inches (152 mm) of free conductor shall be provided at each outlet, junction or switch point. The required length shall be measured from the point in the box where the conductor emerges from its raceway or cable sheath. Where the opening to an outlet, junction or switch point is less than 8 inches (200 mm) in any dimension, each conductor shall be long enough to extend at least 3 inches (75 mm) outside of such opening. (300.14)
Where a tightening torque is indicated as a numeric value on equipment or in installation instructions provided by the manufacturer, a calibrated torque tool shall be used to achieve the indicated torque value, except where the equipment manufacturer has provided installation instructions for an alternative method of achieving the required torque. [110.14 (D)]
The continuity of a grounded conductor shall not depend on connection to a metallic enclosure, raceway or cable armor. [200.2(B)]
The connection of equipment grounding conductors, grounding electrode conductors and bonding jumpers shall be in accordance with Sections E3406.14.1 and E3406.14.2.
Equipment grounding conductors, grounding electrode conductors, and bonding jumpers shall be connected by one or more of the following means:
- Listed pressure connectors.
- Terminal bars.
- Pressure connectors listed as grounding and bonding equipment.
- Exothermic welding process.
- Machine screw-type fasteners that engage not less than two threads or are secured with a nut.
- Thread-forming machine screws that engage not less than two threads in the enclosure.
- Connections that are part of a listed assembly.
- Other listed means. [250.8 (A)]
Connection devices or fittings that depend solely on solder shall not be used. [250.8 (B)]
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