Strapping EMT conduit.

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Dennis Alwon

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Chapel Hill, NC
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IMO as long as the emt is securely fastened then I don't see an issue however I would bet many EI may not like it.
 

Dennis Alwon

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Chapel Hill, NC
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358.30 says EMT shall be installed as a complete system. I would consider the emt strap part of the "system".
And where is that defined in the code. Tell me does the code tell us what kind of strap we must use? There is no UL listing for straps so again I think the tie wraps are compliant. I see them used with MC cable all the time.
 

don_resqcapt19

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Illinois
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retired electrician
In my opinion tie wire is a more secure support than many of the commercially available spring type clamps.
 

kbsparky

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Location
Delmarva, USA
Its very common when running EMT through bar-joists to use tie wires to secure it to the structure.

What is your application in this instance?
 

iwire

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Location
Massachusetts
I had to do some demo at a job that the original installers used doubled up tie wire to secure the MC cables to the structure.

They did a very neat job and secured the cables well more than required. What a pain to demo, you had to use dykes at every support, there was no way you could rip it down like you could if they had used any of the Caddy / B-Line supports or tie wraps.
 

roger

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Fl
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I use tie wire all the time for EMT and MC. It is efficient, cost effective, and does a good job.
What could be better? Maybe if it came in some fashionable colours that match my company's logo.

Same here and have never had an inspector have a problem with it. On one job I did have an engineer require us to use stainless steel though, he just wanted us to spend more money.


Roger
 

roger

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Fl
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I would want to see the UL listing on the tie wire.110.3(B)
Show me a listing for the purpose on a one hole EMT strap or a blank plate, they may be out there but I haven't seen it.

Roger
 

Strathead

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Location
Ocala, Florida, USA
Occupation
Electrician/Estimator/Project Manager/Superintendent
I had to jump in here. This is a "pet" argument of mine. I believe in my electrical work looking neat where you can see it. Concealed in walls, I prefer economical and practical. I don't want sharp offsets, for example. Why "waste" an offset in the wall behind the sheetrock? I get irritated when the guys want to use a $2 Caddy bracket to secure conduits in the wall when a punch, tie wire and a 2 foot piece of scrap EMT will serve every bit as well! When we have discussed this in the shop, even the 2 owners hedge their bets. There is a lot of discussion about shoddy work. As others pointed out here, this method is very secure.
 

renosteinke

Senior Member
Location
NE Arkansas
Using tie wire to secure EMT against metal studs is the most common method used. I'm talking about the 'light steel' framing,' where any movement of the wall will result in an audible 'rattle' from the EMT within.
 

cowboyjwc

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Location
Simi Valley, CA
I have no problems with EC's using tie wire. I would actually prefer it sometimes to the sharp bends they try to make with MC and a one hole strap.
 

TOOL_5150

Senior Member
Location
bay area, ca
I had to do some demo at a job that the original installers used doubled up tie wire to secure the MC cables to the structure.

They did a very neat job and secured the cables well more than required. What a pain to demo, you had to use dykes at every support, there was no way you could rip it down like you could if they had used any of the Caddy / B-Line supports or tie wraps.

Exactly. To me, that seems like tie wire is a much better support than a strap.
 

coffeebean

Senior Member
Location
Mercer County NJ
It just goes against what I've been reading on this forum for the last three years.Neat and workman like manner,code compliant,etc. I would like to see you use your tie wire here in NJ and see if if it passes.
 
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