What is Article 352 of the NEC?
Asked by: Doug Lehner | Last update: April 10, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (48 votes)
NEC Article 352 sets the rules for using and installing Rigid Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Conduit, a nonmetallic raceway, covering its permitted applications (like in concrete or corrosive areas), prohibited uses (hazardous locations, direct sunlight without rating), installation requirements (support, securing, expansion fittings), and construction specifics to ensure safe electrical systems. It details how to properly support and fasten it, manage thermal expansion, and specifies conditions for its use, distinguishing between Schedule 40 (not for physical damage) and Schedule 80 (for physical damage).
What is the NEC code 352?
ARTICLE 352 - RIGID POLYVINYL CHLORIDE CONDUIT: TYPE PVC.
Where is PVC conduit not allowed?
The article specifies permitted uses, including installation in various environments such as wet and corrosive locations, while also highlighting conditions where PVC conduit should not be used, such as in hazardous areas or extreme temperatures.
What are the NEC requirements for PVC conduit?
PVC conduit must be secured within 3 ft of every box, cabinet, or termination fitting, such as a conduit body. PVC conduit installed horizontally in bored or punched holes in wood or metal framing members, or notches in wooden members, is considered supported, but the raceway must be secured within 3 ft of termination.
What are the NEC requirements for conduit bending?
The 360-Degree Rule: According to the NEC, the total of all bends in a single conduit run between pull points cannot exceed 360 degrees.
PVC Conduits Explained | Article 352
How many #6 wires can go in a 3/4 conduit?
You can typically fit three to four #6 AWG THHN/THWN wires in a 3/4-inch conduit, depending on the conduit type (EMT usually fits more than PVC), but always check the National Electrical Code (NEC) Annex C tables or online fill calculators for your specific wire type and local code, as factors like derating and bends affect the final count and pullability.
Where is EMT not permitted?
EMT conduit is not permitted in areas with severe physical damage risk, hazardous locations, underground (unless specific direct burial fittings are used), where subject to moisture/corrosion unless properly protected, or as a structural support for equipment, according to the National Electrical Code (NEC) Article 358.12, with key prohibitions in cinder concrete/fill, wet/damp locations (without proper rain-tight fittings/protection), and certain locations needing more robust conduit like RMC.
Is Romex in conduit illegal?
No, it's not against code to run NM-B cable (Romex) in conduit, but it's generally not recommended and often impractical due to heat dissipation issues and conduit fill rules, with key exceptions being dry locations where protection is needed and wet/damp locations being forbidden. You must keep the cable assembly intact (not strip the wires), follow strict conduit fill calculations treating it as a round cable, and get approval from your local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).
Can I run 12 2 in 1/2 inch conduit?
The correct size of conduit for a 12/2 cable is 1/2 inch. The most popular types of conduit used with this size of wire are PVC and EMT. You should opt for a larger size only if planning to run more than one 12/2 cable in a single conduit.
Why can't you use PVC for electrical conduit?
You can't use standard white PVC plumbing pipe for electrical conduit because it's not rated for electrical use, lacks fire resistance, degrades in sunlight, and isn't marked as dangerous, creating serious fire, shock, and safety hazards for electricians and emergency responders, while specialized gray PVC conduit is specifically designed with UV resistance and appropriate strength for wiring.
Can you use schedule 80 PVC for electrical conduit?
Schedule 80 PVC Pipe
For areas where your PVC electrical pipe will be subject to physical damage, you should use Schedule 80 PVC Conduit for the same applications as Schedule 40 PVC Pipe. This is because Schedule 80 PVC Pipe is stronger and more durable.
Does wiring in basement need to be in conduit?
Using conduits is especially important when you have exposed wiring within a building, such as along the concrete foundation wall in a basement or almost anywhere in a garage. Just running bare wires in this type of situation instead of encasing them in a conduit would be extremely dangerous.
Can PVC conduit be ran above ground?
According to the NEC, both Schedule 40 and Schedule 80 conduit are suitable for above ground usage where they may be exposed to sunlight and weather. However, only the thicker Schedule 80 is suitable for above-ground usage where it may be exposed to excessive physical damage.
What is the Article 352?
At that time, Article 352 allowed the President to declare Emergency on three grounds: war, external aggression, or internal disturbance. The phrase “internal disturbance” was used in place of what was later amended to “armed rebellion” through the 44th Constitutional Amendment in 1978.
Is 2 inch PVC OD or ID?
2-inch PVC pipe is referred by its nominal size, which is close to the actual inside diameter (ID), but the critical measurement for fittings is the outside diameter (OD), which is actually 2.375 inches for Schedule 40, allowing fittings to slip over it. So, while the label says "2 inch," it's the nominal ID, but you need the OD (2.375") to match fittings.
How often do you have to support PVC conduit?
PVC conduit must be secured within 3 ft. of each outlet box, junction box, device box, conduit body, or other conduit termination. PVC must be supported every 3 ft.
Can you sleeve Romex in EMT?
Taking this picture out of the equation, you can sleeve Romex in EMT. Jack Staples you can as long as you skin the sheathing off.
How many 90s are allowed in a conduit run?
You can have a maximum of four 90-degree bends (360 degrees total) in a single conduit run between pull points (boxes or conduit bodies), according to the National Electrical Code (NEC). This rule ensures manageable pulling tension and prevents wire damage, though practical limits often mean fewer bends (like two) for easier installation, especially when including offsets, bends in boxes, or other angled fittings.
How many #12 wires can go in 3/4 conduit?
You can fit up to 16 #12 AWG THHN/THWN wires in a 3/4-inch EMT conduit for physical fill, but due to National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements for heat derating, you must derate ampacity after 3 current-carrying wires, often limiting the practical number to around 9 or fewer for standard 20-amp circuits to avoid overheating and maintain safety. For multiple circuits, especially in longer runs or bends, reducing the count to 7 or 8 is common practice to ensure proper heat dissipation and easier pulling.
Is it legal to run so cord in conduit?
Can SOOW Cable Be Installed In Conduit? As a rule, SOOW cables are not allowed in conduit. Article 400.8(6) of NEC states that SOOW cords are not allowed in raceways unless otherwise permitted. This article leaves some room for exceptions, but they are specific and rare.
Where is Romex not allowed?
Romex (non-metallic sheathed cable) isn't allowed in wet/damp locations, embedded in concrete/masonry, outdoors, in hazardous areas, or buildings taller than three stories (often requiring conduit for protection), as it's vulnerable to physical damage, pests, and moisture, unlike conduit or Metal-Clad (MC) cable used in many commercial settings or exposed runs where protection is needed. It's generally for dry, protected indoor residential use where physical damage risk is low.
What is the highest paid EMT?
The highest-paid EMTs and paramedics often work in states like Washington, Hawaii, Alaska, and New Jersey, with significant pay potential in cities like Seattle, Tacoma, and Honolulu, especially in specialized roles like flight paramedics or paramedic supervisors, where salaries can exceed $70,000-$90,000 annually, far above the national median. Advancing from EMT to Paramedic or seeking roles in critical care or air ambulance services offers the best pay increases, as seen with ER Techs earning much more than basic EMTs.
What is the new code for electrical outlets?
New electrical codes (2023 NEC) focus heavily on kitchen island safety, banning outlets below countertops to prevent cords from being pulled down, requiring them to be on or above the surface, or providing raceways for future installation; GFCI/AFCI protection is also expanded, and 10-amp circuits are now recognized, impacting home electrical safety.
Can EMT be buried in dirt?
If allowed by Section 300.6, EMT can be directly buried. According to the UL Guide Card (FJMX), EMT in contact with earth requires supplementary corrosion protection, so it is not often the first choice for underground raceways.