Metallic Wireway Selection (Reference NFPA 70, National Electrical Code)

Uses
Uses Permitted for Metallic Wireways:
1. For exposed work.
2. In concealed spaces as permitted in NEC section 376.10.
3. In hazardous (classified) locations as permitted by NEC® articles 501, 502, and 504.
4. As extension through walls if the length passing through a wal is unbroken and access to conductors can be mained

Uses NOT Permitted for Metallic Wireways:

1. Where subject to severe physical damage.
2. Where subject to severe corrosive environments.

Size of Conductors
Table 1 shows maximum conductor size based on bending space, (UL Standard 870, Table 7.1)
Table 1
Wireway size Cross Section (in2) Max. Cable Size
4"x4" 16 4/O
6"x6" 36 500
8"x8" 64 900

Number and Ampacity of Conductors

1. Sum of the cross-sectional area of all conductors contained in the wireway at any cross section shall not exceed 20% of
interior cross-sectional area of the wireway. See Table 2 for allowable conductor cross-sectional areas.
2. Wireways containing (30) current conductors or less are not subject to adjustment factors.
3. Wireway exceeding (30) current carrying conductors shall be subject to adjustment factors as defined in NEC Article 37

Table 2
Wireway size Allowable Cable Area (in2)
4"x4" 3.2
6"x6" 7.2
8"x8" 12.8

Splices and Taps

Splices and taps are permitted within a wireway, provided they are accessible. The conductors, including
splices and taps, shall not fill the wireway to more than 75 percent of its area at the point of a splice or tap.
Supports
Horizontal supports shall be supported at each end and at intervals not exceeding 10 feet.
Vertical supports shall be supported at intervals not exceeding 15 feet and shall not have more than (1) joint between sup
al Electrical Code)

to conductors can be mained from both sides.

ction shall not exceed 20% of the

ectional areas.

s as defined in NEC Article 376.22(8).

rs, including
a splice or tap.
re than (1) joint between support.
Wireway Sizing Calculator Directions
Inputs
Conductor Diameter, A (inches) 1) Wireway systems allow multiple conduc
Number of Conductors, A (inches) is a function of the cross-sectional ar
of the largest conductor.
Conductor Diameter, B (inches) 2) This tool calculates the recommended w
Number of Conductors, B (inches) 3) Enter the cable diameter and number o
then leve inputs B & C blank
Conductor diameter, C (inches) 4) Also input the largest conductor type in
Number of Conductors, C (inches)

Largest Conductor Type 10

Calculations
Cable Cross Sectional Area (in2) 0.0
Wireway Cross Sectional Requirements (in )
2
0.0

Wireway Size by Cable Fill 4"x4"

Wireway Size by Max Conductor Type 4"x4"

Recommendation
Recommended Wireway Size 4"x4"

Note: if more than 30 current-carrying conductors are present

at any cross section, cable derating may be required (see NEC® 362-5)
ems allow multiple conductors sizes within a wireway. The size of wireway required
on of the cross-sectional area of the cables but is also limited by the cable bending requirements
est conductor.
ulates the recommended wireway size and allows up to 3 different cable diameter inputs.
le diameter and number of cables in the yellow cells. If only one cable size is being used
nputs B & C blank
e largest conductor type in this section.

<- The recommended wireway size is displayed here.