Does 6/3 Wire Need To Be In Conduit? (With Its Size)


can you put 6 3 wire in conduit

People pull wires through conduits to protect them from damage. Without a conduit, the wire will wear out at a much faster rate than you anticipated. A conduit enhances the wire’s durability.

Does 6/3 Wire Need To Be In Conduit?

  • If you are using romex cable, it needs to be in conduit.
  • If you are using Stranded wires, it needs to pass through conduit.
  • If you are using it outdoors, you need to use weather resistant conduit .

The point of pulling wires through a conduit is to protect the cables in question from harm.

Some conduits have a rigid construction so robust you can drive over it without harming the conduit or the wire. Other conduits are flexible because you have to guide them around bends.

With 6/3 wire, you have to keep the following factors in mind:

1). Romex Wire Needs To Be In Conduit

What type of wire do you have?

If your objective is to use Romex wire like everyone else, remember that Romex cables are meant for the interior of a house. This tells you that they are susceptible to harm. For that reason, you are better off running a Romex wire in a conduit to protect it.

UF cables are different because they have a solid plastic sheath. THHN/THWN wires constitute individual conductors protected by a conduit.

The type of wire will determine whether or not you use a conduit.

2). Solid Wire Doesn’t Need To Pass Through A Conduit

Is the wire stranded or solid?

People that have to use solid cables are less likely to pass them through a conduit. From what I have seen, Passing solid wires through conduits with several bends is difficult, which is why the practice is so inconvenient.

3). Use Weather-Resistant Conduit For Outdoors

Even though Romex is meant for indoor use, you can use it outside. But if you want to run a Romex wire outside safely, use a weather-resistant conduit. The conduit will protect the wire from the elements.

The term ‘Outdoor’ in this case does not necessarily refer to the yard. If you want to use a Romex cable in a garage, the garage is categorized as ‘Outdoors.’ You need a conduit for the wire unless the wire runs through the ceiling.

If you want to use the wire inside, you can either run it through a conduit or use it without one.

It would help if you didn’t run Romex wires through wet areas. You can attract rust. Even with the conduit, you are better off running Romex wires through dry locations.

4). Don’t Pass Multiple Wires Through Conduit

Keep an eye on the number of wires running through the conduit. Electricity generates heat as it moves through a wire. A conduit packed with a significant number of cables could encourage the heat to rise to dangerous levels. You can melt the insulation, starting a fire.

5). NEC Expect You To Use Conduit

The most recent version of the NEC expects contractors to use conduits where necessary to protect wires. The NEC doesn’t want homeowners to leave Romex wires exposed regardless of their location in the house.

But you should consult your local code before you act.

Do not assume that the local code agrees with the NEC. The authorities in most areas adhere to the regulations of the NEC. But they have the power to create codes that contradict the NEC. In such cases, you should listen to the local code.

6). Tie a String To Wire To Pull Through Wire If Inconvinient

Many people avoid conduits because they are inconvenient or impossible to use. But the challenge associated with these tools shouldn’t stop you from using them. If you’re struggling to get 6/3 wire through a conduit, tie a string to the wire and use it to pull the wire through.

If this method has failed to produce results, continue with the string method. But this time, use a vacuum hose to pull the string through the conduit. If the wire has failed to go through the conduit, hire a professional.

What Size Conduit For 6/3 Wire?

You can use a significant conduit of 2 inches. It will give you the space and flexibility you need.

2″ is enough for 6/2 and 6/4 wires as well.

Related Post:

Best Conduit For 6/3 Wire

1). Use Metal Conduit Only In Extreme Conditions

Rigid metal conduits are a sensible choice for people that want the thickest and heaviest option available. It allows you to run wires in places that expose the wire to extreme conditions. That includes under driveways.

However, rigid metal conduits are a bad idea for Romex, which is the type you will most likely use because the metal conduit can damage the wires.

2). Don’t Use PVC Conduit

PVC conduits are a terrible idea as well because they trap heat. Since the wires can’t breathe, they may overheat. Even if the heat isn’t enough to start a fire, it can still damage the wire, which is an inconvenience.

3). Use Flexible Conduits

I like flexible conduits because they can bend easily in locations with limited space. Other notable options include EMT (which is lightweight and easy to bend) and IMC.

EMT conduits are more flexible than IMC. However, they are also easier to damage. IMC conduits are galvanized, which makes them the stronger option. You can use them in exterior settings.

Does 6/3 Wire Need Conduit Underground?

You can underground it because it allows you to keep the wire safe from pests, water, and the like. You have to protect the wire.

Family handyman has detailed a list of steps that can be used to bury Romex cables. They expect you to use a metal or plastic conduit.

Will 6/3 Wire Fit In ¾ Conduit?

A 6/3 wire can fit a ¾ conduit. But the number of cables you can fit in the conduit will depend on the type of conduit. For instance, a ¾-inch PVC Sch 40 conduit can accommodate 21 14AWG wires and 15 12AWG wires. On the other hand, a ¾-inch PVC Sch 80 conduit can accommodate 17 14AWG wire and 12 12AWG wire.

To use conduits safely, you should first familiarize yourself with the term ‘Conduit Fill Capacity.’ It tells you the number of wires you can safely run through a conduit.

The number matters because a conduit with too many electrical wires allows heat to accumulate. The Spruce has a table that shows you the number of wires you can fit in a conduit of a specific size.

Unless you have substantial experience in this field and you know how to differentiate between wires and conduits of different types and sizes, you should leave this decision in the hands of an expert. You don’t want to start a fire because you selected the wrong wires for the wrong conduit.

How Many #6 Wires Fit in ¾ Conduit?

You can fit four #6 wires in a ¾-inch conduit.

You can check out the below table to know about it in detail.

Conduit Fill Table

Conduit SizeConduit Type14AWG12AWG10AWG8AWG6AWG4AWG3AWG2AWG1AWG1/0AWG2/0AWG3/0AWG4/0AWG250kcmil300kcmil350kcmil400kcmil500kcmil
1/2″EMT1295321111100000000
PVC1185311111100000000
3/4″EMT221610642111111100000
PVC21159542111111100000
1″EMT352616974331111111100
PVC342515964331111111000
1-1/4″EMT61452816127654321111111
PVC60432716117653321111111
1-1/2″EMT846138221610875433211111
PVC82593721159875433211111
2″EMT1381016336261613118765433211
PVC135996236261613118765433211
2-1/2″EMT24117611164462824201512108765443
PVC19314185137221916121087644332
3″EMT3642661679669433630221916131197665
PVC299218137795735302518151311976554
3-1/2″EMT4763472191269156474029252017141110986
PVC401293184106774740332521171412108765
4″EMT6084432791611167160513732262218151311108
PVC5173772381379961514332272218151211987
NEC2014 Table C

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