Section 7
RACEWAYS
GENERAL
Many types of wiring methods are recognized in the
electrical industry. Except for outdoor overhead
spans, the most commonly used wiring methods use
conductors installed in some form of raceway, or
assembled into some type of cable.
Raceway, as defined by the National Electrical Code
(NEC) is an enclosed channel of metal or
nonmetallic materials designed expressly for holding
wires, cables, or busbars. Raceways include, but are
not limited to, rigid metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic
conduit, intermediate metal conduit, liquidtight
flexible conduit, flexible metallic tubing, flexible
metal conduit, electoral nonmetallic tubing,
electrical metallic tubing, underfloor raceways,
cellular concrete floor raceways, cellular metal floor
raceways, surface raceways, wireways, and busways.
Although a raceway is used exclusively for
containing electric conductors, a metal raceway is
generally also used as an equipment grounding (fault
return) conductor.
CONDUIT
The most common types of conduit used are:
• Galvanized Rigid Steel Conduit (GRS).
• Rigid Aluminum Conduit.
• Intermediate Metal Conduit IMC).
• Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT).
• Liquidtight Flexible Metal Conduit.
• Rigid Nonmetallic Conduit (PVC).
• Plastic Coated Rigid Steel Conduit.
Among conduit systems, rigid steel provides the
greatest degree of mechanical protection available in
above ground conduit systems. Unfortunately, this is
also a relatively high material and installation cost
raceway system. For this reason, other types of
conduit and cabling systems are being increasingly
used. Where applicable, rigid aluminum, electrical
metallic tubing (EMT), intermediate metal conduit
(IMC), and plastic, fiberglass, and cement ducts may
be used. Cable trays and open runs of Type MC or
AC cable are also being utilized.
Rev. 0 Electrical Handbook
 Bechtel Corporation 1997.
Conduit systems offer some degree of flexibility in
permitting replacement of existing conductors with
new ones or the installation of additional conductors
into an existing raceway. However, in case of fire,
short-circuit or ground current faults, it may be
impossible to remove the conductors. In this case, it
is generally necessary to replace both the conduit and
conductors.
With magnetic conduits, an equal number of
conductors of each phase should be installed in each
conduit; otherwise, losses and heating will be
excessive.
Galvanized Rigid Steel Conduit (GRS).
Advantages in the use of GRS include:
• Industrial Construction Standard.
• Readily available material.
• Equipment Use multi-discipline applicable.
• Usage multi-dimensional.
• Durability and Rigidity.
Disadvantages include:
• Costly in material and labor installation.
• Environment Restrictive.
• Special tools and equipment needed.
Galvanized rigid steel conduit comes in standard 10-
foot lengths, threaded on both ends, and with one
coupling. The minimum size is 1/2 inch, and the
maximum size is 6 inch. All sizes are identical in
dimensions with the corresponding size of schedule
40 pipe. However, the nominal size indicated refers
to the conduits interior diameter. The actual interior
and exterior diameter is larger than the indicated
conduit size. Thus conduit sizes referenced are
known as the trade size. Conduit differs from
traditional schedule 40 pipe in that the interior
surface is carefully prepared so conductors/cables
can be pulled into it with a minimum amount of
effort and without damaging the insulation. The
chemical composition of the steel in conduit is also
carefully controlled so it can be easily bended.
Galvanized steel conduit is hot dipped galvanized.
After dipping the interior is blown out to remove the
excess galvanizing. Some galvanized steel conduit
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RACEWAYS
have an additional enamel or plastic coating for
additional protection against corrosion.
Rigid metal conduit is threaded with tapered dies
and uses the same tools and equipment commonly
used to thread schedule 40 pipe. The use of NPT
tapered dies 3/4” per foot ( National Pipe Thread)
are essential to maintain a continuous electrical
continuity, when the raceway is used as a fault
return ground path.
Care is required also to avoid cutting threads too
long or too short. Too, running threaded conduit
(continuous threaded pipe used as nipples) is not an
acceptable code or installation practice. Once the
conduit is cut and threaded it must be “deburred” or
reamed out and the fresh cut threads re-galvanized to
maintain corrosive protection. Deburring, the
conduit ends, avoids damaging the conductors/cable
jackets when their pulled in.
Conduit Bending
Because the conductors/cables are pulled into
conduit after it is installed, it is essential that all
bending be performed so the internal diameter is not
substantially reduced in the bending process.
Equally stressed is the radius of a conduit bend. Any
conduit bend should never be smaller than the cable
bend radius that will utilize the conduit. Example:
Bending a 2” conduit 90°, with a radius of 12”, does
no service if the cable that is to utilize the conduit
has a bend radius of 16”. Installations of this type
require a segmented or a long radius 90° bend. A
segmented bend is bends performed in equal degrees
(°) equaling the desired degree of bend. These
segmented bends are normally performed in equal 6°
(degree) increments (90° bend would require 15 - 6°
bends).
Bending conduit offsets is a mathematical formula,
involving trigonometry, with side factors as type
bending equipment utilized/available, degree and
type of offset required (horizontal, vertical, rolled),
size and type of conduit. Traditionally, electricians
are taught to bend 30° offsets wherever feasible.
Bending 30° offsets requires a simpler formula to
remember, (distance x 30° cosecant or 2). This is
the span between the two (30°) bends before
Rev. 0 Electrical Handbook
 Bechtel Corporation 1997.
adjusting for the gain and takeout/up of the the
bended conduit. Additionally, the electrician uses
30° offsets due to the code or sites limitations on
total degree of bends between pull points (2 - 30° do
not add up so quickly as 2 - 45’s saving material
boxes, fittings) and also because 30° offsets are
easier to support the cable pulling effort (less
tension/stress on the cable).
Mechanical hand, electric powered, or table benders
in a variety of types, styles, hydraulically or
electrically operated, are available for all sizes, types,
and applications of conduits requiring to be bended.
To preclude bending, manufacturers sell various pre-
bended sizes of conduit (Trade Name fittings).
Utilizing this type pre-bended conduit is most cost
effective in installations of 5” or 6” conduit which
require specialty benders, skill in the “art of
bending” by the electrician, reduces material waste,
and significantly saves labor installation manhours.
Conduit bends should never be more than four
quarter bends (360° equivalent) in one continuous
“run” of conduit. A run of conduit is that portion
between any two openings such as a cabinet, a box,
or condulet style fitting with a removable cover. The
fewer the bends, the easier it is to pull the
conductors/cables.
Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC).
This material in sizes not over 4 inches is similar to
ordinary rigid metal conduit and, size for size, has
about the same outside diameter but a thinner wall
thickness. This makes the internal area in square
inches a little more than ordinary conduit. IMC is
installed in the same way as ordinary conduit,
including the spacing of supports.
The same threading equipment used for rigid metal
conduit is used for IMC. Special bending equipment
and materials are required however. Due to the
thinner wall, benders which support the wall during
bending must be used.
IMC is rarely used in a Heavy Industrial setting and
is more commonly a site or client preference.
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Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT) - Thin Wall
Advantages of EMT include:
• Common throughout all construction industries.
• Ease of Installation.
• Readily available material and cost efficient.
• Multi-dimensional usage.
• Most common conduit installed by electricians.
• Ideal for offices, interior building settings.
• Relatively easy and simple to bend.
Disadvantages include:
• Durability and Rigidity (Harsh environment).
• Hazardous Classification Areas (Restrictive).
• Support span and size restrictive.
• Environment restrictive.
EMT is made of galvanized steel, occasionally of
aluminum, either of which may have an additional
plastic or other protective coating. EMT is a “rolled
tube” and should never be threaded. It is only made
in sizes through 4 inches.
The internal diameter in the smaller sizes is the
same as rigid metal conduit, but in the larger sizes it
is a little larger. All joints and connection are made
with threadless fittings that hold the material
through pressure (compression fittings).
EMT is commonly installed in offices and interiors
of buildings. In these settings its uses are most
common in the following systems:
• Fire, Smoke, Heat Detection.
• Various Communication Systems.
• Lighting and Receptacles.
• Building Security System.
• Heating and Ventilation.
• Electrical Power and Distribution.
Adjoining EMT to rigid or condulet fittings
generally require specialty fittings threaded on one
end.
Aluminum Rigid Metal Conduit.
Aluminum conduit usage advantages include:
• High Resistance to Corrosion.
• Rigidity and Durability.
Rev. 0 Electrical Handbook
 Bechtel Corporation 1997.
• No Special Bending or Threading Equipment.
• Rigid fittings, hardware, suitable for use.
• Lighter than Rigid Steel Conduit.
Disadvantage of Aluminum Conduit include:
• Excessive expansion in High Heat Environment.
• Conduit Material not a common stock item.
• Material more costly than Rigid Steel Conduit in
some sizes.
• Conduit Threads require special material.
• Installation of Bonding Jumpers in long runs.
The use of aluminum rigid metal conduit has gained
wide acceptance because of its light weight; excellent
grounding conductivity, ease of threading, bending
and installation, resistance to corrosion, and low
losses for installed AC circuits. Installations of
aluminum rigid metal conduit requires little or no
maintenance, painting, or protective treatment in
most applications. Because of its high resistance to
corrosion this conduit should be preferred in many
severely corrosive industrial environments (chemical
plants) and around plant areas where salt water is a
consideration (intake structures).
When aluminum conduit is buried in concrete or
mortar, a limited chemical reaction on the conduit
surface forms a self-stopping coating. This prevents
significant corrosion for the life of the structure.
However, calcium chloride or similar soluble
chlorides sometimes are used to speed concrete
setting. Embedded metals can be damaged by these
chlorides. As a result, if aluminum conduit is to be
buried in concrete, the installer should be absolutely
sure that the concrete will contain no chlorides. If
there is any doubt, rigid steel conduit should be used,
because even though chlorides can damage steel
conduit to some degree, this will not lead to cracking
or spalling of the concrete.
Being a non-magnetic metal, aluminum conduit
reduces voltage drop in installed copper or
aluminum conductors up to 20 percent of a
corresponding steel conduit installation when AC
circuits are involved.
Where long continuous runs of aluminum conduit is
utilized periodic installation of expansion/defection
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RACEWAYS
fittings should be installed with approved grounding
(bonding) jumpers.
Liquidtight Flexible Metal Conduit.
This material is flexible metal conduit, plus an outer
liquidtight nonmetallic sunlight-resistant jacket.
Special connectors are used with this type of conduit.
Part of the connector goes inside the conduit, thus
making a good connection for grounding continuity;
and part of the connector goes over the outside,
forming a watertight seal.
Liquidtight flexible metal conduit is not intended for
general-purpose wiring but has definite advantages
in many cases for installation on machines and
portable equipment. It is also used to make flexible
connections between the rigid conduit system and
rotating equipment, or other equipment requiring
adjustment or vibration isolation.
Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit.
Liquidtight flexible nonmetallic conduit is available
in sizes 3/8 inch through 4 inch. It is used where
flexibility is required and where there is a need to
protect the contained conductors/cables from vapors,
liquids, or solids. If it is used outdoors, it must be
suitable for use exposed to direct sunlight.
Nonmetallic Conduit.
Only polyvinyl chloride (PVC) rigid nonmetallic
conduit will be addressed in this section.
Advantages to PVC conduit applications include:
• Underground installations.
• Use in concrete (duct banks).
• Temporary Power installations.
• Material relatively inexpensive.
• Cost efficient to install.
• Lightweight.
Disadvantages include:
• Requires special equipment for bending.
• Requires monitoring during concrete pours.
• Damages easily.
• Requires special fittings to adapt to rigid.
Rev. 0 Electrical Handbook
 Bechtel Corporation 1997.
• Requires unique materials.
• Not used for a Ground Fault Return Path.
Rigid PVC conduit is bent by heating, forming the
bend, and cooling. An open flame should never be
used. Hot-air and hot-liquid methods are used, but
the simplest is a “hot box”, which has electric
heating elements and rollers to help heat the conduit
all around the place where the bend is to be made.
Care must be taken to maintain the circular cross
section at bends. Two-inch and larger sizes require
internal support during bending, which can be
provided by plugging the ends before heating. The
expanded, heated air inside prevents the walls from
collapsing while soft.
Number of bends and bend radius requirements are
the same as for metal conduit. Deburring is also
required when the conduit is cut.
PVC is joined together by applying a quick drying
“cement”.
PVC conduit is routinely used in duct banks,
concrete slabs, and temporary power installations.
PULL POINTS
CONDULETS
Small multiple singular conductor cables and
multiple conductor cables are easily pulled through
most conduit installations (e.g. 3-1c12, 2c14’s or
2Pr16SH). However; even these type cables or larger
type power cables (3-1c 4/o 600v, 3c 4/o 5kv) require
the installation of Pull points or pull boxes to
support normal pulling activities in a conduit run.
Conduit runs with excessive bends or runs exceeding
360° require the installation of these pull points to
aid in the pulling of cables. Pull point locations,
sizes, and types vary with the raceway installation
and the cable(s) that will utilize the conduit.
Generally, these pull points fall into two (2) types of
classifications condulet fittings or pull boxes.
Condulet Fittings are known by numerous “trade
names”, styles, types, and usefulness. All dependent
on application and serviceable need. Each has its
distinguishable unique advantages and more
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RACEWAYS
importantly their disadvantages. Their common trait
is they all aid the cable pulling effort. Installation
practices are not an exact science when it comes to
the installation of these fittings. Aside from the only
known “that they must be used”; because of code or
standards requiring pull points, numerous other
factors must be weighed before their used . Some
thoughts to consider before their used must include:
• Design calculations on Hi-Voltage cables.
• Cable pulling and bending radius’.
• Quantity and types of cables using conduit.
• Will “a tugger” be utilized at the condulet?
• Are all the cables being pulled at once or will
this fitting be used again? Called pull byes.
• Is the cable “too big” for the conduit? Just
because the code allows that size conduit to
be used doesn’t mean it could be pulled!!!
• Is the conduit to small for the distance of pull?
• Not just total degrees in conduit bends but where
or how many factor in fitting locations.
• Total length of raceway between pull points.
• Is the fitting needed? Most desireable location?
• Accessable? Will Scaffolds or ladders be
required to pull cable at that location?
• Would a box be better? Are other commodities
blocking access to the pull point?
• Which style fitting is best? LB, LL, LR, X, C,
Tee. Some create other pulling problems.
• Which type fitting is best? Mogul, Form 7, 8, 9,
LBD?
• Would an In Line Box or pull sleeve be better?
Common rules of thumb in regards to the should I
or should I not use condulets. Relative to their
importance in supporting the cable pulling effort:
• Everywhere they are, expect an electrician too!!!
• Which is cheaper “that fitting” or more bends?
• Every fitting requires a conduit to be threaded.
• All fittings are not the same or alike.
• Every fitting: gets a cover, and a gasket sold
separately. Too, their rarely put on.
• Is it really necessary? Will it even be used?
Condulet Advantages:
• Can serve as a conduit drain or sealing point.
• Can be used as a splice or termination location.
Rev. 0 Electrical Handbook
 Bechtel Corporation 1997.
• Enables two direction raceway installation.
• Handy for tight work areas or space limitations.
• Can be cheaper than bending numerous offsets.
• Serves as a location to change raceway sizes.
• Fitting Versatility, Adaptability, Choices.
Pull, Junction, Terminal, Splice Boxes
Boxes or enclosures serve a myriad of functions
relative to the electrical design and installation
activities. Too, style, type, size, and classification
are other factors that must be considered prior to
their design, application, and installation. Their
principal uses support the electrical raceway, cable,
termination, and equipment installations.
Boxes installed during the raceway installation are,
unless specified by the Design Engineer, generally
Nema 1, 3R, 4, 4x, 7,12, or 13. Additional types
include utility, cast, or outlet boxes. Specialty boxes
could include explosion proof or hazardous
classified approved for the purpose boxes. Use of
a hinge box, screw cover, gasketed, clasps or
combinations are also associated with box uses.
Finish, windows, backboard, cutouts, material guage
thickness, mounting ears or tabs, and identification
labels are also factors that are associated with box
design and installation.
Site; client, area, environment, design, and sound
construction practices dictate box selection and use.
Installation of box supports; that are not designed,
are based on box size, type, weight (inclusive of
cables), service, area, and environment.
Raceway boxes are generally referred to as junction
boxes. These boxes generally have a “trunk” conduit
whereby various “branch” conduits exit. Entrance
and exit of these boxes, by conduits, should consider
the cable servicing the raceway. Entering and
exiting the same box side or at a tight 90° angle
could cause cable bend radius problems, severe
figure eighting of the cables, or box fill problems.
Too, sizing of the box to the cable(s) and the
conduits must be factored.
A craft rule of thumb on junction box sizing is:
• 6 times the largest conduit or,
• 10 times the largest cable diameter.
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RACEWAYS
Other common usages of junction boxes are:
• End of the line box at a instrument group or
rack.
• As a Pull box. Barriered for multiple service
levels of cable or raceway.
• Equipment “top hat” for conduit or cables
entering to small a compartment, panel,
device, or a gear.
• Mounted over wall sleeves or embeds.
Contrary to a popular conception pull boxes and
junction boxes are not the same. A pull box, as the
name implies, is installed for the purpose of aiding
cable pulling activities. They can be an in line pull
box, field added box, or an outlet box. Use of pull
boxes are normal where the use of a fitting doesn’t
suit the purpose, cable radius’ or size are a factor,
use of a tugger is required, the possibility that cable
damage could exist, or pulling area accessability.
Terminal boxes or enclosures, are also as the name
implies, used for termination of cables, wires, and
jumpers mostly on a backboard. Term boxes, as
their more prone to be called, are also used to house
control devices, terminal or fuse blocks, electronic
instruments, switches, and sometimes pnuematic
devices.
Terminal boxes located in areas that are hazardous
classified, subject to water, steam, or other
environmental conditions are rated for the purpose
and have their associated raceways sealed
accordingly and the box normally has an approved
drain seal.
Location of terminal boxes must consider
accessability, maintenance personnel, proximity to
other disciplines components, full door swing, and
safe work clearances from energized parts dependent
on appropriate voltages.
Splice boxes, as the name implies, are boxes that are
for cable splices resultant from rework, cable(s) that
were pulled short or damaged, or were designed.
Authorization, prior, to splicing most power, control,
or instrument cables is usual and not the exception
on most construction sites.
Rev. 0 Electrical Handbook
 Bechtel Corporation 1997.
Splicing of vendor leads (e.g. motors), or “pigtails”
(e.g. solenoid valves, communication speakers) are
not examples of a Splice Box situation but are
generally treated as standard construction conditions
and are usual and covered under normal termination
practices. Details, General Notes, or standard
construction practices will govern in these cases.
GENERAL CONDUIT FITTINGS.
Various types, uses, applications, and styles exist
that are an absolute necessity in the completion of
any raceway installation. Two (2) old adages exist
that amply apply to raceway fittings “a dime holding
up a dollar” and “anybody can do it with tools and
material”. Closely associated with these adages is
the word always; never having enough, misordered,
or overlooked. The Design Engineer can always
remember what the “big ticket items” are, and relies
on the Field Engineer to consider the “small ticket
items” including what tool(s) to use for the task.
Some resources that the Field Engineer relies on to
ensure that the “right material” is available, on
hand, or needs to be ordered include:
• Vendor manuals, drawings, parts list, personnel.
• Manufacturer catalogs (general or specific).
• Experience (oneself, craft, supervision, design).
• Or equals, alternates, substitutions, exists now.
• Client or site specifics, codes, standards, notes.
Typical Raceway Fittings are closely associated with:
• Conduit - couplings, reducers, bushings, plugs,
sealants, fittings, connectors, nipples, locknuts, oil.
• Supports - clamps, straps, bolts, screws, nuts,
washers, support steel, bolt rod, fittings, anchors.
• Cable Tray - plates, bolts, nuts, washers,
covers, barrier, edge guard, clamps, clips, frame
connectors.
Specialized Tools or Equipment for Raceway
Installation generically include:
• Benders - shoes, rams, rods, table, floor space,
temporary power, motor, hickey, mechanical bender.
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RACEWAYS
• Threading - dies, “hog head”, “power pony”,
oiler, tri-pod vice, ratchets, threader, reamer, oil,
cheater or extension bars.
• Conduit - strap wrench, hacksaw, band saw,
table saw, lubricant, labels, knock out and tap sets.
• Supports - Welding machine and accessories,
grinders, various drills, various hand (pouch) tools.
UNDERGROUND DUCT BANKS
A duct bank consists of one or more conduits spaced
close together with or without a concrete casing.
The duct bank is laid in a trench with the top usually
two to three feet underground and covered with
earthen compacted backfill and usually terminate in
underground vaults called manholes or handholes.
Concrete encased duct banks typically use a “red”
tainted concrete mix to identify its use for future
excavations that may take place. Earthen back filled
duct banks generally require a “safety flagging” tape
above the duct bank to forewarn future excavations
of what lies below.
Additional considerations to duct bank installations
are “soil” composition, density, water table, and
slope requirements for drainage.
Primary uses of the duct bank system are for general
underground distribution work, connecting yard
areas, or various outlying buildings where overhead
conduit or tray runs are impractical.
In a “single” layer duct bank installation typically
three (3) raceways are most common. One each for
power, control, and instrumentation. Additional
runs are installed, or designed, based on future
needs, overall fill, dedicated systems (e.g. fire, fiber
optics, communications).
Typically the smallest size raceway installed is a 2”.
Installed with the duct bank is a ground cable
utilized for grounding the manhole or handhole steel
and /or the extension of the grounding system.
Conduit Duct Material
Conduit material used most generally for duct banks
Rev. 0 Electrical Handbook
 Bechtel Corporation 1997.
are polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and galvanized rigid
steel (GRS).
PVC is widely used for duct bank installations due to
the low cost and ease of installation. Such conduits
are available in 20 foot lengths, thereby reducing the
number of couplings required in a given run.
GRS is sometimes used for duct banks, but since it
costs considerably more than other materials, it has
not had general acceptance for this purpose. There
are two instances when GRS will be used, one being
for additional mechanical protection of
conductors/cables and the other for signal shielding.
Note: commonly in Nuclear Power Plants the
installation of Class 1duct banks will require rigid
steel conduit (briefly Class 1 means the
cables/system utilizing the raceway is required to
support a system or equipment which is required to
safely shutdown an operating unit) and PVC is
closely associated with Non-Class 1 duct banks.
Duct Bank Installation
In installing any kind of underground duct bank, a
trench is excavated to a depth where the top conduit
will be the specified distance below grade. The
grade of the trench needs to pitch towards the
manholes at about 1 foot in 100 feet to ensure
effective drainage.
For power cables, the ducts should be arranged either
two conduits wide or two conduits deep so that every
conduit will have earth on at least one side. There
should be 1 to 3 inches of earth or concrete between
conduits for power systems to ensure that flame and
heat from a short circuit in one conduit will not
effect the adjacent cables.
Conduits are typically held in position during
construction of the duct bank by plastic spacers. The
spacers maintain the proper spacing of the conduits
during construction and placement of the concrete,
and also prevent the conduits from floating in the
concrete. The spacers or the conduits are usually
“staked” down with rebar.
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The width of the trench will depend on the working
space required and on whether concrete forms are
used. If the soil is firm, the trench may be merely 6
inches wider than the outside of the conduits and the
forms omitted, with concrete occupying all space
between the conduits and the earth wall. In poorer
soils, the trench will be required to be wider so forms
can be place to contain the concrete. Typically
sacrificial forms, made from expanded metal, are
used for duct banks. In any trench, the most
important item is to taper or step back the sidewalls
to maintain a safe trench and prevent “cave ins”.
Safety Note: Dependent on the trench depth
conditions a confined space permit may be required.
Manholes and Handholes.
By definition, a manhole is deep enough whereby an
average size human’s head will be below the top of
the manhole. A handhole is generally much shorter
in depth and the same size individuals “upper trunk”
area will be above the top of the handhole.
Safety Note: Entrance to any manhole, and most
handholes, require a confined space permit, monitor,
oxygen test, exterior barriers, warning signs and
permits, and could possibly require the use of ladders
and lights.
Manholes are made in many shapes and sizes. The
size and shape of the manhole will vary with the
number of cables and conduits to be accommodated
but, in any case, there must be sufficient room to
work in the manhole.
Manholes are, typically, precast if of standard design
and dimensions and fabricated off site. Non-standard
manholes will be built in place from concrete.
Principal components to, most, all manholes are the
installation of “pulling in irons”, foot or toe holds,
(step down/up type steps), framed out conduit plate,
manhole cover. Most manholes also contain a “pit”
or “sump”, cable racks, bridges, exposed or
embedded channel that is used to support cables that
traverse through the manhole.
Rev. 0 Electrical Handbook
 Bechtel Corporation 1997.
Manhole covers elevations are typically “shot” in by
surveyors to avoid the cover from being to “low or
high” to the finished grade, asphalt, or concrete road
bed. Adjustments to elevations sometimes require
the purchasing of manhole extention rings.
Plastic Coated Rigid Steel Conduit.
Plastic Coated Rigid conduit is rigid conduit that has
been specifically coated with a plastic outer covering
(trade name Plasti-Bond) making its use an
attractive substitute in areas that experience severe
corrosion due to continuous exposure to salt water or
soils destructive to normal conduit installation.
Installation of this type raceway requires specialized
equipment and tools because of the outer covering.
Uses of this conduit are generally related to
underground, vaults or sump pump areas, or sites
that utilize an “intake structure” where constant
exposure to salt water or corrosive chemicals are
present.
Factors to consider prior to usage of this type conduit
are:
• Extremely expensive material and tools.
• Installation costs are higher than rigid conduit.
• Specialized fittings are required.
Hazardous Classification Areas
The field engineer should always be mindful of
raceways, boxes, instruments, or components that are
located within the confines of hazardous classified
areas. These areas require special attention for the
proper installation of electrical material, installation
methods and practices. For projects where these
conditions are common (chemical, mining and
metals, refinery) the electrical design group should
issue a hazardous area classification drawing
identifying the locations and boundaries of these
areas defining class, group, division (Reference
Section 13 of this Handbook for additional
information).
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Rev. 0 Electrical Handbook 7-9

 Bechtel Corporation 1997. 11/26/97
Section 7
RACEWAYS

Rev. 0 Electrical Handbook 7-10

 Bechtel Corporation 1997. 11/26/97