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CA ( and others ),
In your pic., ...is that system of railing an approved type of conduit where conductors
are installed ?.........If so, approved by whom ?
According to Article 310.10, `14 NEC, ..."310.10 now covers “Uses Permitted” with
the following text: “The conductors described in 310.104 shall be permitted for
use in any of the wiring methods covered in Chapter 3 and as specified in their
respective tables or as permitted elsewhere in this Code.”
Since square steel tubing is not listed as an approved type of conduit, the install
of conductors or wiring assemblies would not be approved, however, ...according
to Article 376 - Wireways, ...if one or more sides of the square steel tubing were
removed and a detachable, mounting cover were to be constructed, then the
square tubing could be used..........The conductors or wire assemblies could be
placed in the wireway when the cover is removed.
FWIW, ...I agree that there is a level of reasonable expectation of safety to approved
type of identified electrical conduits, whereas, that level of "reasonable expectation"
is not present for non-identified components being used as conduit.
Regarding the OP, I would not approve the use of steel square tubing as described
& intended.
Please come up with another alternative !
Others ?
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