How many #6 THHN fit in 2-1/2" Rigid?
386 AWG THHN/THWN-2 wires in 2-1/2" Rigid metal conduit (RMC, GRC)
4.866 sq in × 40 % = 1.9464 sq in allowed. ÷ 0.0507 sq in per wire = 38.39, so 38.
This pull in numbers
- 38 wires fill
- 39.6 % of 2-1/2" Rigid
- Limit for three or more
- 40 %
- For 39 or more
- 3" Rigid, up to 59
- Pipe to wire diameter
- 9.80 to 1
- In THW insulation
- 27 fit
- In XHHW-2 insulation
- 33 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 #6 THHN at 75 A in the 90 °C column becomes 30 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.
#6 THHN in other 2-1/2" conduit
| Conduit | Inside area | Most #6 THHN |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical metallic tubing | 5.858 | 46 |
| Intermediate metal conduit | 5.135 | 40 |
| Rigid metal conduit (RMC, GRC) | 4.866 | 38 |
| Rigid PVC conduit, Schedule 40 | 4.695 | 37 |
| Rigid PVC conduit, Schedule 80 | 4.119 | 32 |
| Flexible metal conduit (FMC, Greenfield) | 4.909 | 38 |
| Liquidtight flexible metal conduit (LFMC) | 4.881 | 38 |
#6 THHN in other Rigid sizes
Other wire sizes in 2-1/2" Rigid
#14: 200#12: 146#10: 92#8: 53#6: 38#4: 23#3: 20#2: 17#1: 12#1/0: 10#2/0: 8#3/0: 7#4/0: 6250 kcmil: 5300 kcmil: 4350 kcmil: 3500 kcmil: 2