Mike Dolt Enterprises
Mike Dolt Enterprises
User: Designer69, Location: NYC
Asked on: Monday, March 28, 2011 at 7:30 pm EDT
Answered on: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 3:24 am EDT
Question: gents, I would like to understand something and hear from both engineers and electricians.Say I have specified a 3/4" conduit, correctly sized, to fit some power or control cables. The conduit is sized properly for field bends and straight runs however if the electrician needs to use an LB fitting, the minimum bend radius of the cables is too large for a standard 3/4" LB fitting.Electrical Contractor would be required to use a larger sized LB fitting, say 1.5" and bushing reducers to make it work.Whose task would you say this is, the Engineers' to initially have specified large LB fittings if req'd or the electricians' to wire per NEC.Note: Wiring and raceway were called out to be 'field to route'.Thanks!
Engineer's Perspective
It is the engineer's responsibility to specify the appropriate size of conduits and fittings to ensure proper installation and compliance with NEC requirements. In this case, the engineer should have specified 1.5" LB fittings if the minimum bend radius of the cables exceeded the bend radius of a standard 3/4" LB fitting.Even though the wiring and raceway were specified as "field to route," it is still the engineer's responsibility to provide accurate and complete specifications for all aspects of the installation. Overlooking the need for larger LB fittings could result in code violations or installation issues.
Electrician's Perspective
The electrician is responsible for following the specifications and installing the wiring and raceway in accordance with NEC requirements. However, if the electrician encounters a situation where the specified conduit size or fitting is not suitable, it is their responsibility to notify the engineer and discuss alternative options.In this case, the electrician could have reached out to the engineer to clarify the need for larger LB fittings. By working together, they could have determined the best course of action to meet NEC requirements and ensure a safe and functional installation.
Conclusion:
Ultimately, it is the responsibility of both the engineer and the electrician to collaborate and ensure that the installation meets all applicable codes and specifications. The engineer has the primary responsibility of providing accurate and complete specifications, while the electrician has the responsibility of following those specifications and communicating any potential issues. Flag for review