1/2" Rigid conduit fill
1/2" Rigid metal conduit (RMC, GRC) has an inside area of 0.314 sq in (0.632 in across). Three or more wires may take 40 % of it: 0.1256 sq in.
- One wire, 53 %
- 0.1664 sq in
- Two wires, 31 %
- 0.0973 sq in
- Three or more, 40 %
- 0.1256 sq in
- Nipple, 60 %
- 0.1884 sq in
- Support
- Every 10 ft, 3 ft from boxes
- Sold in
- 10 ft sticks
How many wires fit in 1/2" Rigid
All wires the same size and type, by Annex C's method. For a mix of sizes, open the calculator.
| Wire size | THHN/THWN-2 | XHHW-2 | THW/THW-2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 AWG | 13 | 9 | 9 |
| 12 AWG | 9 | 7 | 7 |
| 10 AWG | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| 8 AWG | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 6 AWG | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 4 AWG | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 3 AWG | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 AWG | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 AWG | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Other 1/2" conduit
| Conduit | Inside area | #14 | #12 | #10 | #8 | #6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigid metal conduit (RMC, GRC) | 0.314 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 1 |
| Electrical metallic tubing | 0.304 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Intermediate metal conduit | 0.342 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| Rigid PVC conduit, Schedule 40 | 0.285 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Rigid PVC conduit, Schedule 80 | 0.217 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Flexible metal conduit (FMC, Greenfield) | 0.317 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 1 |
| Liquidtight flexible metal conduit (LFMC) | 0.314 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 1 |
| Electrical nonmetallic tubing (smurf tube) | 0.285 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
About Rigid
Rigid (galvanized rigid conduit, GRC) has the thickest wall and the least room inside of the steel types. Support follows 344.30: within 3 ft of each box, then every 10 ft, or longer on straight runs with threaded couplings (Table 344.30(B)(2)). See strap spacing and the fill rules.