National Electrical Code Articles and Information

Code Quiz: Article 374

Based on the 2014 NEC

Questions and answers written by Mark Lamendola, who has worked as a master electrician, electrical inspector, and design engineer. Mark is an IEEE Senior Member, and the Code article author for Codebookcity.com. Since 1996, he has been writing National Electrical Code articles for electrical trade magazines and has an extensive portfolio of hundreds of NEC articles..

After a series of Articles on various raceways, from Article 350 to Article 362, the NEC jumps to Article 366. Then the normal sequence of raceway Articles resumes, and here we are at Article 374, "Cellular Metal Floor Raceways."

First, note that (as with Article 372) this has nothing to do with cellular phones. These raceways are cellular in their construction; that is, they form "cells" through which wiring can pass.

This wiring method is widely used in a wide range of applications, from warehouses to commercial bank buildings to shopping centers. You won't find it in commercial garages, though.

This can be a very good way to go, but using this wiring method requires more planning at earlier stages than, say, strapping EMT onto cindeblock walls. Because it's metal, the cellular metal floor raceway gives you some of the characteristis of other metal raceway such as rigid conduit; most notably, the ability to act as a grounding conductor.

1. Article 374 is a Chapter 3 article addressing a specific wiring method. Which wiring method does it address, and what are its defining characteristics?
    

2. Name three permitted uses for this wiring method.
    

3. Name the prohibited uses for this wiring method.
    

4. What type hardware is permitted for supporting this wiring method?
    

5. What restriction is there on using couplings and connectors with this wiring method?

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