[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 30, Volume 1]
[Revised as of July 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 30CFR18.38]

[Page 101]
 
                       TITLE 30--MINERAL RESOURCES
 
  CHAPTER I--MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
 
PART 18--ELECTRIC MOTOR-DRIVEN MINE EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES--Table of Contents
 
             Subpart B--Construction and Design Requirements
 
Sec. 18.38  Leads through common walls.

    (a) Insulated studs will be acceptable for use in a common wall 
between two explosion-proof enclosures.
    (b) When insulated wires or cables are extended through a common 
wall between two explosion-proof enclosures in insulating bushings, such 
bushings shall be not less than 1-inch long and the diametrical 
clearance between the wire or cable insulation and the holes in the 
bushings shall not exceed \1/16\-inch (based on the nominal specified 
diameter of the cable). The insulating bushings shall be secured in the 
metal wall.
    (c) Insulated wires or cables conducted from one explosion-proof 
enclosure to another through conduit, tubing, piping, or other solid-
wall passageways will be acceptable provided one end of the passageway 
is plugged, thus isolating one enclosure from the other. Glands of 
secured bushings with close-fitting holes through which the wires or 
cables are conducted will be acceptable for plugging. The tubing or duct 
specified for the passageway shall be brazed or welded into the walls of 
both explosion-proof enclosures with continuous gas-tight welds.
    (d) If wires and cables are taken through openings closed with 
sealing compounds, the design of the opening and characteristics of the 
compounds shall be such as to hold the sealing material in place without 
tendency of the material to crack or flow out of its place. The material 
also must withstand explosion tests without cracking or loosening.
    (e) Openings through common walls between explosion-proof enclosures 
not provided with bushings or sealing compound, shall be large enough to 
prevent pressure piling.