How many #3 THHN fit in 1/2" PVC Sch 40?
13 AWG THHN/THWN-2 wires in 1/2" Rigid PVC conduit, Schedule 40
0.285 sq in × 53 % = 0.1510 sq in allowed. ÷ 0.0973 sq in per wire = 1.55.
This pull in numbers
- 1 wires fill
- 34.1 % of 1/2" PVC Sch 40
- Limit for one
- 53 %
- For 2 or more
- 1" PVC Sch 40, up to 3
- Pipe to wire diameter
- 1.71 to 1
- In THW insulation
- 1 fit
- In XHHW-2 insulation
- 1 fit
Before you pull 1
- The ground counts. Every wire in the pipe counts toward fill, the green or bare ground and the neutrals too. 1 is the total, not the hots.
- Bends. A full pipe pulls hard. Keep to 360° of bends between pull points, less for a tight fill.
#3 THHN in other 1/2" conduit
| Conduit | Inside area | Most #3 THHN |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical metallic tubing | 0.304 | 1 |
| Intermediate metal conduit | 0.342 | 1 |
| Rigid metal conduit (RMC, GRC) | 0.314 | 1 |
| Rigid PVC conduit, Schedule 40 | 0.285 | 1 |
| Rigid PVC conduit, Schedule 80 | 0.217 | 1 |
| Flexible metal conduit (FMC, Greenfield) | 0.317 | 1 |
| Liquidtight flexible metal conduit (LFMC) | 0.314 | 1 |
| Electrical nonmetallic tubing (smurf tube) | 0.285 | 1 |