Code Change Summary: New requirements added to address reaming and threading PVC coated Rigid Metal Conduit.

PVC coated Rigid Metal Conduit (RMC) is often specified for construction projects where an additional degree of corrosion protection for the electrical installation is needed. When cutting and threading PVC coated RMC, care must be taken to ensure that the PVC coating is not damaged during the process.

In the 2023 NEC^® a change was made in Section 344.28 that requires PVC-coated RMC to be threaded in accordance with manufacturer's instructions to prevent damage to the exterior coating.

New informational note 2 refers the code reader to the NECA-101 publication Standard for Installing Steel Conduits. Section 6 of NECA-101 has many recommendations for clamping, bending, cutting, reaming, and threading PVC coated RMC; the most important of which is to always follow the conduit manufacturer installation instructions when doing any of these procedures.

Standard clamps and dies that have not been modified for use on PVC coated RMC could damage the PVC coating and are not meant to be used on PVC-coated RMC.

Be prepared for an inspector who might stop by and ask to see what measures are being implemented to ensure PVC coated RMC is being threaded in accordance with the manufacturer's installation instructions.

Below is a preview of the NEC^®. See the actual NEC^® text at NFPA.ORG for the complete code section. Once there, click on their link to free access to the 2023 NEC^® edition of NFPA 70.