Any way you could tear out the old mess and put in new wiring? I'll bet that old World War One era wiring is a little degraded, and that even if it's in perfect shape it probably wouldn't meet current code. That "all knockouts in the box" are in use makes me wonder if there's too many conductors and other things in that junction box.

Although I'm not sure what this "rigid" tubing is, I know current NEC allows for wires to exit a conduit if a bushing is installed to prevent mechanical stress and protect NM cable. That may not be what you're looking for, though. Check with Joe (the moderator) for a more specific way to approach this.

I'll bet that tearing out and redoing as much as you can per current code is an alternative you may feel compelled to settle for. Easy solutions are few and hard to come by.

Greg

The rigid is your standard steel pipe that was used all around Chicago early in the century. Like gas pipe--stiff and unruly, but quite durable.

If there are connectors for rigid pipe that don't have to be threaded on, this would be the most efficient fix. If such connectors don't exist, then I guess I'll have to get the rigid out somehow and make way for EMT or flexible conduit.

Box fill is not an issue (but thanks for raising the question). I replaced the feeding box (an old pancake box) with a deep octagon box, so the fill is fine (one conductor in, three branching out to other ceiling fixtures).

Here's the picture of the installation being discussed. What do the terminations look like at the beginning and ending at the splices and connections?

Need more images.

I don't have images of the connections, but they are quite standard. The connection to the hallway octagon box (feed) is the original rigid pipe (threaded with locknut), and the flexible conduit connects to the fan housing via a standard connector. It is this middle part that is so bad, the flexible conduit just stuck into the rigid.

The transition you describe here is a violation of rules in the NEC Sections 300.10 and 300.15.

The old iron raceway used as a sleeve with the wiring method passing through as shown violates the code.

[This message has been edited by Joe Tedesco (edited February 12, 2003).]

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