Code Q&A: Bend Requirements for RMC

Dec. 31, 2019

Test your NEC knowledge.

Q. What are the Code rules for field bends made in a run of rigid metal conduit (RMC)?

See the answer below.

A. Raceway bends aren’t permitted to be made in any manner that would damage the raceway or significantly change its internal diameter (no kinks). The radius of the curve of the inner edge of any field bend isn’t permitted to be less than shown in Table 2, Chapter 9 [Sec. 344.24].

This typically isn’t a problem because benders are made to comply with this table. However, when using a hickey bender (short-radius bender), be careful not to over-bend the raceway.

These materials are provided to us by Mike Holt Enterprises in Leesburg, Fla. To view Code training materials offered by this company, visit www.mikeholt.com/code.

About the Author

Mike Holt

Mike Holt is the owner of Mike Holt Enterprises (www.MikeHolt.com), one of the largest electrical publishers in the United States. He earned a master's degree in the Business Administration Program (MBA) from the University of Miami. He earned his reputation as a National Electrical Code (NEC) expert by working his way up through the electrical trade. Formally a construction editor for two different trade publications, Mike started his career as an apprentice electrician and eventually became a master electrician, an electrical inspector, a contractor, and an educator. Mike has taught more than 1,000 classes on 30 different electrical-related subjects — ranging from alarm installations to exam preparation and voltage drop calculations. He continues to produce seminars, videos, books, and online training for the trade as well as contribute monthly Code content to EC&M magazine.