National Electrical Code Articles and Information

Code Quiz: Article 350

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..

The Chapter Three Articles on wiring methods run in multiple series. Article 348 starts the series that covers flexible conduits: Articles 348, 350, 352, 354, and 356. There's not a break (such as going to 360) after this; we go right to Electrical Metallic Tubing in Article 358 to start another series on tubing. So if there's ever a new flexible wiring method adopted by the NEC it will mostly likely have an odd number (e.g., Article 351).

It would have been better if this series started with 350 and included 360, but unfortunately, that's not what we have.

Generally, you don't want to use flexible conduits for any main runs (e.g., between a panel and a motor disconnect). You want to use it only where flexibility is desired, as in the case of connecting a motor to its disconnect. The flexibility comes at a cost; you get less strength and less protection of the wiring. Another downside is the very fact it's flexible means you don't have the rigidity that permits you to run straight raceway for a nice-looking installation. 

1. Article 350 is the fifteenth in a series of Chapter 3 articles addressing specific wiring methods. Which one 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 conduit?

Answers to this quiz are here: Answers to this quiz

See how you did!