How many #4 THHN fit in 3" IMC?
384 AWG THHN/THWN-2 wires in 3" Intermediate metal conduit
7.922 sq in × 40 % = 3.1688 sq in allowed. ÷ 0.0824 sq in per wire = 38.46, so 38.
This pull in numbers
- 38 wires fill
- 39.5 % of 3" IMC
- Limit for three or more
- 40 %
- For 39 or more
- 3-1/2" IMC, up to 51
- Pipe to wire diameter
- 9.80 to 1
- In THW insulation
- 32 fit
- In XHHW-2 insulation
- 39 fit
Before you pull 38
- The ground counts. Every wire in the pipe counts toward fill, the green or bare ground and the neutrals too. 38 is the total, not the hots.
- Derating. If all 38 were current-carrying, each would be adjusted to 40 % of its ampacity (Table 310.15(C)(1)): a #4 THHN at 95 A in the 90 °C column becomes 38 A. Grounds don't count as current-carrying. How derating works
- Bends. A full pipe pulls hard. Keep to 360° of bends between pull points, less for a tight fill.
#4 THHN in other 3" conduit
| Conduit | Inside area | Most #4 THHN |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical metallic tubing | 8.846 | 43 |
| Intermediate metal conduit | 7.922 | 38 |
| Rigid metal conduit (RMC, GRC) | 7.499 | 36 |
| Rigid PVC conduit, Schedule 40 | 7.268 | 35 |
| Rigid PVC conduit, Schedule 80 | 6.442 | 31 |
| Flexible metal conduit (FMC, Greenfield) | 7.069 | 34 |
| Liquidtight flexible metal conduit (LFMC) | 7.475 | 36 |
#4 THHN in other IMC sizes
Other wire sizes in 3" IMC
#10: 150#8: 86#6: 62#4: 38#3: 32#2: 27#1: 20#1/0: 17#2/0: 14#3/0: 12#4/0: 9250 kcmil: 8300 kcmil: 7350 kcmil: 6500 kcmil: 4