National Electrical Code Top Ten Tips: Article 366 through Article 392, Raceways, Miscellaneous

Please note, we do quote from copyrighted material. While the NFPA does allow such quotes, it does so only for the purposes of education regarding the National Electrical Code. This article is not a substitute for the NEC.

These are the 10 NEC Article 366 through NEC Article 392 items we deem most important, based on the pervasiveness of confusion and the potential costs of same.

1. NEC Articles 366 through 392 contain the requirements for various types of raceway, including auxiliary gutters, busway, and cable tray. Remember that, and your life will be much easier.
    
2. Note that of these raceways is a subcategory of raceway in general. Do not call any of these "conduit."
    
3. Each Article in this series provides the uses permitted and the uses not permitted.
    
4. NEC Article 366 provides the requirements for auxiliary gutters. The main thing to remember about these is they are just what they say they are--auxiliary. That means you cannot use them for a main wiring raceway method. For example, you cannot extend them more than 9 m (30 ft) beyond the equipment you are using them in [366.3]. That equipment is limited to meter centers, distribution centers, switchboards, and the like [366.2].
    
5. NEC Article 368 provides the requirements for busway. In addition to following these requirement, you must follow the manufacturer's instructions. For example, if you overtorque Belleville washers, you violate their UL listing. Busway must, except for the exceptions noted in 368.6, be installed such that it's visible and in the open [368.2]. So, don't install busway in a place where you will conceal it behind a wall or in a warehouse behind stacks of boxes.
    
6. NEC Articles 370, 372, and 374 provide the requirements for cablebus, cellular concrete floor raceways, and cellular metal floor raceways, respectively. These are normally modular or pre-assembled constructions. Do note the application limitations before purchasing.
    
7. Article 376 provides the requirements for metal wireways. These are sheet metal troughs with hinged or removable covers. Note that their fill ratio is only 20 percent [376.22]. If you are using nonmetallic wireways, follow the requirements provided in Article 377.
    
8. Article 380 provides the requirements for multioutlet assemblies. These are becoming increasingly common. Note the application limitations [380.2].
    
9. Surface metal and surface nonmetallic raceways (Article 386 and Article 388, respectively) are becoming increasingly common. They are especially useful in retrofit situations, where they provide aesthetic and economic solutions to otherwise ugly and expensive installation problems. Note their use limitations in 386.10 and 388.10, respectively. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. "Field engineering" these systems violates their UL rating and opens you to civil--and possibly criminal--liability. Follow the instructions, and you will have a safe installation. If you need a modification, simply contact the manufacturer for assistance and get the mod instructions in writing.
    
10. Cable trays, covered by Article 392, have been a mainstay of construction for decades. You may notice that of all the Articles in this series, this one is by far the longest. Read it carefully before working with cable tray. One requirement many people fail to follow is that of bonding all cable tray sections [392.7(B).1]. To avoid power quality problems and personnel hazards, follow this requirement diligently.