Nema RN-1-2018
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© 2018 National Electrical Manufacturers Association. All rights, including translation into other
languages, reserved under the Universal Copyright Convention, the Berne Convention for the
Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, and the International and Pan American copyright
conventions.
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was unanimous agreement among every person participating in the development process.
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Foreword
The purpose of this standards publication is to describe plastic coatings which are applied to
galvanized rigid metal conduit and galvanized intermediate metal conduit. This standard covers
the properties and dimensions of these coatings and is intended as an aid for selecting and
obtaining the proper coating for added corrosion protection in various applications of these
electrical raceways.
User needs have been considered throughout the development of this publication. Proposed or
recommended revisions should be submitted to:
This standards publication was developed by the NEMA Steel Conduit and Electrical Metallic Tubing
Section of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. Section approval of the standard does
not necessarily imply that all section members voted for its approval or participated in its
development. At the time it was approved, the NEMA Steel Conduit and Electrical Metallic Tubing
Section was composed of the following members:
CONTENTS
Section 1, General ..........................................................................................................................1
1.1 Scope......................................................................................................................................1
1.2 Referenced Standards............................................................................................................1
Section 2, Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC), Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC) and Electrical
Rigid Metal Conduit— aluminum (ERMC-A) ................................................................................3
2.1 Galvanized Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC)..................................................................................3
2.2 Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC) ..........................................................................................3
2.3 Electrical Rigid Metal Conduit—Aluminum (ERMC-A) ..........................................................3
2.4 Interior Coatings ....................................................................................................................3
2.5 Thread Protectors ..................................................................................................................3
Section 3, External Coatings .........................................................................................................4
3.1 Thickness................................................................................................................................4
3.2 Coating Material......................................................................................................................4
3.3 Application of Coating ............................................................................................................4
3.4 Elbows ...................................................................................................................................4
3.5 Couplings ...............................................................................................................................4
3.6 Workmanship and Appearance .............................................................................................5
3.7 Performance Requirements ...................................................................................................5
3.8 Adhesion ................................................................................................................................5
Annex A ...........................................................................................................................................6
Section 1
General
1.1 Scope
This standard covers continuous polyvinyl chloride exterior coatings, corrosion resistant interior
coatings, and the galvanized rigid metal conduit (RMC), galvanized steel intermediate metal
conduit (IMC), electrical rigid metal conduit—aluminum (ERMC-A), threaded couplings, and
elbows to which they may be applied.
The following publications are adopted in whole or in part, as indicated by reference in this
Standard Publication.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
nd
11 West 42 Street
New York, NY 10036
C80.1-2016 American National Standard for Rigid Steel Conduit—Zinc Coated
C80.5-2015 American National Standard for Electrical Rigid Aluminum Conduit—
Aluminum (ERMC-A)
C80.6-2005 American National Standard for Intermediate Metal Conduit
G153-04 Standard Practice for Operating Enclosed Carbon Arc Light Apparatus
for Exposure of Non-metallic Materials
This recommended practice covers the basic principles and standard
operating procedure for light- and water-exposure apparatus employing a
carbon-arc light source.
Section 2
Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC), Intermediate Metal Conduit (IMC) and Electrical
Rigid Metal Conduit—Aluminum (ERMC-A)
Galvanized RMC, threaded couplings, and elbows are defined in and shall conform to American
National Standard C80.1, and Underwriters Laboratories UL 6.
If the threads are cut after the zinc coating has been applied, the threads shall be treated with a
protective coating to prevent corrosion before installing.
When corrosion protection is necessary, and the conduit is threaded in the field, the threads shall
be coated with an approved electrically conductive, corrosion-resistant compound. Zinc-rich paint
or other coatings acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) may be used.
Where unusually corrosive environments are encountered, threads shall be given additional
protection suitable for the intended application.
Galvanized IMC, threaded couplings, and elbows are defined in and shall conform to American
National Standard C80.6 and Underwriters Laboratories UL 1242.
If the threads are cut after the zinc coating has been applied, the threads shall be treated with a
protective coating to prevent corrosion before installing.
When corrosion protection is necessary, and the conduit is threaded in the field, the threads shall
be coated with an approved electrically conductive, corrosion-resistant compound. Zinc-rich paint
or other coatings acceptable to the AHJ may be used.
Where unusually corrosive environments are encountered, threads shall be given additional
protection suitable for the intended application.
ERMC-A, threaded couplings, and elbows are defined in and shall conform to American National
Standard C80.5 and Underwriters Laboratories UL 6A.
Any supplemental interior coating shall be smooth and continuous and shall be unaffected by the
heat of the exterior coating process.
Thread protectors shall be used on the exposed threads of the coated conduit.
Section 3
External Coatings
3.1 Thickness
The thickness of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coatings shall be a nominal 0.040 in. (1.02 mm). The
tolerance on the coating thickness shall be +0.010 in. (0.25mm) or í0.005 in. (0.13 mm).
The PVC coating shall have the properties specified in Table 3-1.
Table 3-1
Properties of PVC Coatings
3.3.1 Cleaning
The exterior surface that is to receive the coating shall be free of grease, oil, dirt, and other
extraneous matter. The surface of a galvanized conduit shall be cleaned in such a manner that
the galvanized surface of the conduit is not harmed or eroded.
3.3.2 Priming
The cleaned exterior surface shall be primed with an adhesive suitable for use with the PVC
coating material to be applied.
3.3.3 Coating
The PVC material shall be applied in powder, plastisol, or pellet form by a manufacturing method
which will produce a finished product conforming to these standards.
3.4 Elbows
The thickness of the coating on elbows shall be in accordance with Section 3.1.
3.5 Couplings
The thickness of the coating on couplings shall be in accordance with Section 3.1.
Each coated coupling shall have a flexible PVC sleeve which extends from each end of the
coupling and which will overlap the PVC coating on the conduit when the coupling has been
installed on the conduit.
The length of the sleeve extension(s) shall be at least equivalent to the Trade Size (Metric
Designator) up through 2 (53). For Trade Sizes 2.5 (63) through 6 (155), the length of the sleeve
extension(s) shall be at least 2 in. (50.8 mm).
The PVC sleeve shall be a nominal thickness of 0.040 in. (1.02 mm). The inside diameter (ID) of
the overlapping sleeve shall be less than the outside diameter (OD) of the PVC-coated conduit.
The PVC coating shall be free of blisters, bubbles, and pinholes. The PVC coating shall be
continuous over the entire length of the conduit except at the threads and shall be holiday-free at
the time of manufacture.
A holiday is herein defined as an electrical discontinuity of less than 80,000 ohms equivalent
resistance sensed with a cellulose sponge wet with a suitable electrolyte and measured with an
appropriate low-voltage direct-current instrument. A suitable electrolyte is a solution containing
tap water, 3.0% salt (sodium chloride), and 0.5% liquid detergent.
The inside of the PVC-coated conduit, couplings, and elbows shall be free of the PVC coating
material.
Typical physical requirements for PVC-coated conduit are given in Table 3-2.
3.8 Adhesion
The adhesion of the PVC coating to the conduit shall be greater than the strength of the coating
itself. This shall be determined by making two circumferential cuts, above .5 in. (12.7 mm) apart,
through the plastic to the substrate. A third cut shall be made perpendicular to and crossing the
circumferential cuts. The edge of the plastic shall be carefully lifted with a knife to form a plastic
tab. This tab shall be pulled perpendicular to the conduit with a pair of pliers. The plastic tab
shall tear rather than any additional coating film separating from the substrate.
Table 3-2
Typical Physical Properties of PVC-Coated Rigid Metal Conduit, Intermediate Metal
Conduit, and Electrical Rigid Metal Conduit—Aluminum
1
The above requirements are based on testing 0.040 in. (1.02 mm) PVC coating applied over
Trade Size ¾ (21) galvanized rigid metal conduit. See Section 1 for information on the ASTM test
methods.
Annex A
Corrosion Resistant Internal Coatings (Optional)
A.1 Thickness
An interior coating shall be no more than 0.007 in. (0.18 mm) thick.
An interior coating may be of any thermoplastic or thermosetting material that meets the other
requirements of this standard.
A.3.1 Cleaning
The interior surface to be coated shall be free of grease, oil, dirt, or other extraneous matter. If
galvanized, the surface shall be cleaned in such a manner that the galvanized surface is not
harmed or eroded.
A.3.2 Priming
A.3.3 Coating
The methods used to apply an interior coating shall produce a finished product conforming to
this standard.
A.4 Elbows/Bendability
The interior coating on conduit shall be capable of being field bent without cracking or flaking.
(Requirement based on bending each trade size to minimum radius per ANSI C80.1.)
An interior coating shall be free of blisters, bubbles, and pinholes, and shall be continuous over
the entire length of the conduit.