According to NEC® standards, the maximum area that can be occupied by circuit conductors in a 12' run of 21/2 inch FMC is?

To determine the maximum area that can be occupied by circuit conductors in a 12-foot run of 2½-inch flexible metal conduit (FMC), it's essential to refer to the National Electrical Code (NEC) standards, particularly those concerning conduit fill calculations.

The NEC provides guidelines on the allowable fill capacities due to safety and performance considerations. For 2½-inch FMC, the internal area available for conductors is calculated based on the dimensions of the conduit. The area is derived from the cross-sectional area of the conduit itself, from which the sizes and the number of conductors to be installed are factored in for proper fill.

The maximum allowable fill for a conduit, according to NEC standards, generally restricts total conductor fill to a specific percentage of the conduit’s interior area: usually 40% for more than two conductors, 31% for two conductors, and allows for 53% for a single conductor. In this case, the calculation adheres to the 40% rule, which is essential for ensuring that the conductors within the conduit do not overheat and have adequate space.

The exact measurement that matches the NEC standards for a 2½-inch FMC indicates that the correct maximum area that can be occupied