How many 500 kcmil THHN fit in 3" PVC Sch 80?
3500 kcmil THHN/THWN-2 wires in 3" Rigid PVC conduit, Schedule 80
6.442 sq in × 40 % = 2.5768 sq in allowed. ÷ 0.7073 sq in per wire = 3.64, so 3.
This pull in numbers
- 3 wires fill
- 32.9 % of 3" PVC Sch 80
- Limit for three or more
- 40 %
- For 4 or more
- 3-1/2" PVC Sch 80, up to 5
- Pipe to wire diameter
- 3.02 to 1
- In THW insulation
- 3 fit
- In XHHW-2 insulation
- 3 fit
The pipe is 3.02 times the wire's diameter, inside the 2.8 to 3.2 range where three wires can wedge side by side on a pull. If you pull exactly three, go up a size or pull with care.
Before you pull 3
- The ground counts. Every wire in the pipe counts toward fill, the green or bare ground and the neutrals too. 3 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.
500 kcmil THHN in other 3" conduit
| Conduit | Inside area | Most 500 kcmil THHN |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical metallic tubing | 8.846 | 5 |
| Intermediate metal conduit | 7.922 | 4 |
| Rigid metal conduit (RMC, GRC) | 7.499 | 4 |
| Rigid PVC conduit, Schedule 40 | 7.268 | 4 |
| Rigid PVC conduit, Schedule 80 | 6.442 | 3 |
| Flexible metal conduit (FMC, Greenfield) | 7.069 | 4 |
| Liquidtight flexible metal conduit (LFMC) | 7.475 | 4 |
500 kcmil THHN in other PVC Sch 80 sizes
Other wire sizes in 3" PVC Sch 80
#12: 193#10: 122#8: 70#6: 51#4: 31#3: 26#2: 22#1: 16#1/0: 14#2/0: 11#3/0: 9#4/0: 8250 kcmil: 6300 kcmil: 5350 kcmil: 5500 kcmil: 3