What is the minimum permitted distance, in inches, between the two 3-inch conduits in the layout where all conductors enter from the right and exit the bottom?

What is the minimum permitted distance, in inches, between the two 3-inch conduits in the layout where all conductors enter from the right and exit the bottom?

• A. 16 in.
• B. 18 in.
• C. 24 in.
• D. 30 in.

Answer: (B)

The spacing is determined by the space the conduits sweep when they turn from right to bottom. Each 3-inch conduit has a minimum bend radius, and to prevent the curved paths from intersecting, the centerlines of the two conduits must be separated by the sum of their bend radii. For a 3-inch conduit, the typical minimum centerline bend radius is 9 inches, so two of them require 9 inches + 9 inches = 18 inches of center-to-center separation. That 18 inches ensures the two 90-degree sweeps don’t collide and allows proper pulling and routing. If the conduits were closer, the bends would overlap; if farther apart, it just wastes space but still meets the requirement.

The spacing is determined by the space the conduits sweep when they turn from right to bottom. Each 3-inch conduit has a minimum bend radius, and to prevent the curved paths from intersecting, the centerlines of the two conduits must be separated by the sum of their bend radii. For a 3-inch conduit, the typical minimum centerline bend radius is 9 inches, so two of them require 9 inches + 9 inches = 18 inches of center-to-center separation. That 18 inches ensures the two 90-degree sweeps don’t collide and allows proper pulling and routing. If the conduits were closer, the bends would overlap; if farther apart, it just wastes space but still meets the requirement.