Using Table 4 in Chapter 9, which 2-inch raceway has the smallest cross-sectional area?

Using Table 4 in Chapter 9, which 2-inch raceway has the smallest cross-sectional area?

• A. EMT (electrical metallic tubing)
• B. Schedule 80 PVC (rigid polyvinyl chloride conduit)
• C. RMC (rigid metal conduit)
• D. LFMC (liquidtight flexible metal conduit)

Answer: (B)

The thing being tested is how much space is actually inside the conduit for conductors, which is determined by the interior bore (the cross-sectional area inside the wall). For a given nominal size, the thicker the conduit wall, the smaller the interior space available for wires. Schedule 80 PVC has the thickest walls among the options, so its inside diameter is reduced the most, giving the smallest interior cross-sectional area for a 2-inch raceway. The other types—EMT, RMC, and LFMC—have thinner or differently structured walls, resulting in a larger interior space. Table 4 confirms that, for a 2-inch size, Schedule 80 PVC has the smallest cross-sectional area.

The thing being tested is how much space is actually inside the conduit for conductors, which is determined by the interior bore (the cross-sectional area inside the wall). For a given nominal size, the thicker the conduit wall, the smaller the interior space available for wires. Schedule 80 PVC has the thickest walls among the options, so its inside diameter is reduced the most, giving the smallest interior cross-sectional area for a 2-inch raceway. The other types—EMT, RMC, and LFMC—have thinner or differently structured walls, resulting in a larger interior space. Table 4 confirms that, for a 2-inch size, Schedule 80 PVC has the smallest cross-sectional area.