NEMA Standards Publication RN 1-2005

Polyvinyl-Chloride (PVC) Externally Coated Galvanized Rigid Steel Conduit

and Intermediate Metal Conduit

Published by:

National Electrical Manufacturers Association

1300 North 17th Street, Suite 1752
Rosslyn, Virginia 22209

www.nema.org

© Copyright 2005 by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. All rights including translation into
other languages, reserved under the Universal Copyright Convention, the Berne Convention for the
Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, and the International and Pan American Copyright Convention.
 NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER

The information in this publication was considered technically sound by the consensus of persons
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participating in the development of this document.

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which the document contained herein is one, are developed through a voluntary consensus
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© Copyright 2005 by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

 RN 1-2005
Page i

CONTENTS

Page

Foreword ........................................................................................................................... ii
Section 1 GENERAL .........................................................................................................................1
1.1 Scope ........................................................................................................................1
1.2 Referenced Standards ..............................................................................................1

Section 2 RIGID CONDUIT AND IMC ..............................................................................................3

2.1 Galvanized Rigid Steel Conduit ................................................................................3
2.2 Intermediate Metal Conduit .......................................................................................3
2.3 Interior Coatings........................................................................................................3
2.4 Thread Protectors .....................................................................................................3

Section 3 EXTERNAL COATINGS ...................................................................................................4

3.1 Thickness ..................................................................................................................4
3.2 Coating Material ........................................................................................................4
3.3 Application of Coating ...............................................................................................4
3.3.1 Cleaning ........................................................................................................4
3.3.2 Priming ..........................................................................................................4
3.3.3 Coating ..........................................................................................................4
3.4 Elbows.......................................................................................................................4
3.5 Couplings ..................................................................................................................4
3.6 Workmanship and Appearance.................................................................................5
3.7 Performance Requirements ......................................................................................5
3.8 Adhesion ...................................................................................................................5

Section 4 CORROSION RESISTANT INTERNAL COATINGS (OPTIONAL) ..................................6

4.1 Thickness ..................................................................................................................6
4.2 Coating Material ........................................................................................................6
4.3 Application of Coating ...............................................................................................6
4.3.1 Cleaning ........................................................................................................6
4.3.2 Priming ..........................................................................................................6
4.3.3 Coating ..........................................................................................................6
4.4 Elbows/Bendability ....................................................................................................6
4.5 Workmanship and Appearance.................................................................................6

© Copyright 2005 by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

RN 1-2005
Page ii

Foreword
The purpose of this Standards Publication is to describe plastic coatings which are applied to galvanized
rigid steel conduit and galvanized steel intermediate metal conduit. This Standard covers the properties
and dimensions of these coatings and is intended as an aid for selecting and obtaining the proper coating
for added corrosion protection in various applications of these electrical raceways.

Publication No. RN 1-2005 supersedes RN 1-1998. NEMA Standards and Authorized Engineering
Information, which appears in this publication unchanged from earlier editions of this standard dating
back to RN 1-1980, was reaffirmed. Metric designators and dimensions have been added. Information
which has been revised is followed by the appropriate classification and the revision date.

User needs have been considered in the development of this Standards Publication.

This Standards Publication is reviewed periodically by the Steel Rigid Conduit and Electrical Metallic
Tubing Section of NEMA for changes which may be necessary to keep it up-to-date with advancing
technology. Proposed or recommended revisions should be submitted to:

Vice President, Technical Services

National Electrical Manufacturers Association
1300 North 17th Street, Suite 1752
Rosslyn, Virginia 22209

This Standards Publication was developed by the NEMA Steel Rigid Conduit and Electrical Metallic Tubing
Section. Section approval of the standard does not necessarily imply that all section members voted for its
approval or participated in its development. At the time it was approved, the Section was composed of the
following members:

Allied Tube and Conduit Corporation—Harvey, IL

Beck Manufacturing, Inc. – Picoma Industries—Waynesboro, PA
Maverick Tube/Republic Conduit—Chesterfield, MO
Robroy Industries, Inc.—Verona, PA
Thomas & Betts Corporation—Memphis, TN
Western Tube and Conduit Corporation—Long Beach, CA
Wheatland Tube—Collingswood, NJ

© Copyright 2005 by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.

 RN 1-2005
Page 1

Section 1
GENERAL

1.1 SCOPE
These standards cover continuous polyvinyl chloride exterior coatings, corrosion resistant interior
coatings, and the galvanized steel conduit, galvanized steel intermediate metal conduit, threaded
couplings, and elbows to which they may be applied.

1.2 REFERENCED STANDARDS

The following publications are adopted in whole or in part, as indicated by reference in this Standards
Publication.

American National Standards Institute (ANSI)

11 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036

C80.1-2005 American National Standard for Rigid Steel Conduit-Zinc Coated

C80.6-2005 American National Standard for Intermediate Metal Conduit

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

100 Barr Harbor Drive
West Conshohocken, PA 19428

D149-97a(2004) Standard Test Methods for Dielectric Breakdown Voltage and Dielectric Strength
of Solid Electrical Insulating Materials at Commercial Power Frequencies
This method describes a procedure for the determination of dielectric strength of
solid, semi-solid, and liquid electrical insulating materials.

D638-03 Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics

This test method is used to determine the tensile strength and the percent
elongation of plastic coating compounds. A Type IV specimen is tested at a
crosshead speed of 2 inches (50.8 mm) per minute.

D1790-02 Standard Test Method for Brittleness Temperature of Plastic Film by Impact
This method covers the determination of that temperature at which plastic film
0.25 mm (10 mils) or less in thickness exhibits a brittle failure.

D2240-04 Standard Test Method for Rubber Property – Durometer Hardness

This method is used to determine the Shore A and Shore D hardness of PVC
coating compounds.

G6-88(1998) Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Pipeline Coatings

This method is used to determine the abrasion resistance of the applied coating
material. It measures the time to loss of infinite resistance when the coating is
subjected to an abrasive slurry.

© Copyright 2005 by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association.