MC vs EMT

A

Alwayslearningelec

Senior Member
Location
NJ
Occupation
Estimator
Did a comparison. What are your thoughts?

Running 6- 1P 20A circuits from panel to a box two different scenarios. Both on a trapeze rack with straps.

(6) separate 12/2 MC cables from panel to a box 100’ away


Or


(1) 1” EMT conduit(only one bend) 100’ away with 13 #10’s


I thought it would be a lot quick to run the MC cable but the hours I come up with are about the same.
 
If you pulled all 6 cables at once it might be cheaper but you'll end up with 12 terminations (6 on each end) using MC versus 2 using EMT so I could see not much of a difference between the two methods.
 
infinity said:
If you pulled all 6 cables at once it might be cheaper but you'll end up with 12 terminations (6 on each end) using MC versus 2 using EMT so I could see not much of a difference between the two methods.
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BTW how many 12/2 MC cables is practical to pull at once? Steel armor.
 
Alwayslearningelec said:
(6) separate 12/2 MC cables from panel to a box 100’ away

Or

(1) 1” EMT conduit(only one bend) 100’ away with 13 #10’s
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How bout two 1/2" runs with only three circuits (7 #12s w/egc) in each run?

You can place the two far end boxes in different places, and avoid derating.
 
Alwayslearningelec said:
I thought it would be a lot quick to run the MC cable but the hours I come up with are about the same.
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We would always run 1" or 1¼" EMT homeruns for this reason. At the end of the day it can be easier especially if you leave some room in the raceway for future circuits to be pulled in. Nothing worse than try to snake MC cable homeruns over a Sheetrock ceilings after everything is closed up and painted.
 
LarryFine said:
Okay, two 3/4" runs. Still allows smaller wire, J-boxes, and fewer colors or spools of wire.

Six runs of MC cable would be rough to pull whether simultaneously or one at a time.
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I'm not exatly sure what you mean when you say smaller wire, j boxes and spools of wire making emt easier.
 
LarryFine said:
Okay, two 3/4" runs. Still allows smaller wire, J-boxes, and fewer colors or spools of wire.

Six runs of MC cable would be rough to pull whether simultaneously or one at a time.
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Shop I worked for (lifetime ago) preferred this method.
End boxes were set first...different team working on homeruns, while others could capture a cct and start branch wiring across the floor.

Doesn't the rack count go up significantly for MC homeruns?
 
MyCleveland said:
Shop I worked for (lifetime ago) preferred this method.
End boxes were set first...different team working on homeruns, while others could capture a cct and start branch wiring across the floor.

Doesn't the rack count go up significantly for MC homeruns?
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Ah...great point. Need to support every 6' for me as opposed to 10' emt.
 
Alwayslearningelec said:
I'm not exatly sure what you mean when you say smaller wire, j boxes and spools of wire making emt easier.
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You can use #12 wires instead of #10, you can use smaller J-boxes, and the set-up and pull is easier.

If you run twelve (13) wires in one conduit, you need to set up twelve (13) spools to pull them all in.

If you run twelve (14) wires in two conduits, you only need to set up six (7) spools to pull them in.
 
I don't expect anyone to follow my suggestions. They're just alternatives to consider and price.

I tend to look at jobs from the installation point of view as a crew of one, perhaps with one helper.
 
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