Conduit to bring my ground mount into my basement inverter

I'm working on my ground mounts, and somehow conduit choice is stressing me out the most.

OVERVIEW: 8s ground mounted array (320v, 11A) trenched in about ~50ft to under my back deck (ECG in the run). From there it's a strange run o to go up a support column, and up under the deck to enter into my basement. About a 25ft run.

In the basement I'm running FMC to the inverter, because it's also another awkward run.

PVC/EMT will be a nightmare to make work above grade, so my plan was to converter to LFMC out of the trench, then run that into a junction box and penetrate the basement to start the FMC/basement run.

I know metal conduit is required for the penetration and in the basement, but is LFMC allowed to snake up and under my deck? Seems like I can use it to transition to above grade?

LFMC cannot be used in locations where subject to physical damage. If the area under your deck is easily accessible you will need to use something else like schedule 80 PVC, IMC, or RMC, in the accessible areas.

That's the confusion... It's not really easily accessible. Sure, you can get there, but you aren't going there easily.

pvgirl said:

LFMC cannot be used in locations where subject to physical damage. If the area under your deck is easily accessible you will need to use something else like schedule 80 PVC, IMC, or RMC, in the accessible areas.

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I agree with your response PV girl, but can you define "subject to physical damage " ? It is not in article 100 last I looked. Everything is subject to physical damage.

Yeah there's not a real official definition of subject to damage, One common definition is where it is in reach of most people, like under 7 or 8 feet above the ground/floor.

pvgirl said:

Yeah there's not a real official definition of subject to damage, One common definition is where it is in reach of most people, like under 7 or 8 feet above the ground/floor.

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And why doesn't a liquid tight flexible METAL conduit count as damage resistant? I've cut that stuff, it's not weak.

A quick glance at the NEC, article 350.12 Uses not permitted, LFMC shall not be used where subject to physical damage.

I guess the AHJ decides that?

We typically use it for flexibility at motors for ease of replacement.