EMT Support

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358.30(A) States, "...each EMT run between termination points shall be securely fastened within 900mm (3 ft) of each outlet box, junction box, device box, cabinet, conduit body, or other tubing termination."

The debate I'm having today is whether or not couplings fall into this category. Does EMT need to be secured within 3ft of a coupling? What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance.

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iwire

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Massachusetts
The code used to say fitting instead of termination. When it said fitting a coupling would be one.

They changed from fitting to termination so that now couplings do not count
 

Carultch

Senior Member
Location
Massachusetts
To add to what iwire said, the change in wording was back in 93 or 96.

Here is an old graphic showing the change:

View attachment 14655


What about the case when the conduit transitions to another type of conduit at a coupling?

Is it simply that the span between the supports containing the transition, has to not exceed the span required by either conduit type?
Or does the transition count as a termination of both of the conduit types, and therefore the support would need to be within the 3 ft (or equivalent for the other conduit type) from the transition?

For instance, FMC transitioning to EMT.
A: total span (EMT + FMC) cannot exceed the minimum of 10 ft (EMT) or 3 ft (FMC for trade size 1"), and transition can occur anywhere within?
OR
B: support must be within 3 ft on the EMT side and 1 ft on the FMC side of the transition?

How about EMT transitioning to RMC?
A: span is limited to 10 ft, and transition can occur anywhere within?
OR
B: support must be within 3 ft on both sides of transition?
 

jumper

Senior Member
What about the case when the conduit transitions to another type of conduit at a coupling?

Is it simply that the span between the supports containing the transition, has to not exceed the span required by either conduit type?
Or does the transition count as a termination of both of the conduit types, and therefore the support would need to be within the 3 ft (or equivalent for the other conduit type) from the transition?

For instance, FMC transitioning to EMT.
A: total span (EMT + FMC) cannot exceed the minimum of 10 ft (EMT) or 3 ft (FMC for trade size 1"), and transition can occur anywhere within?
OR
B: support must be within 3 ft on the EMT side and 1 ft on the FMC side of the transition?

How about EMT transitioning to RMC?
A: span is limited to 10 ft, and transition can occur anywhere within?
OR
B: support must be within 3 ft on both sides of transition?

Your scenarios would be termination points for each type of raceway and you would apply the rules for supporting and securing each applicable raceway from the transition/termination point.
 

jeremy.zinkofsky

Senior Member
Location
nj
358.30(A) States, "...each EMT run between termination points shall be securely fastened within 900mm (3 ft) of each outlet box, junction box, device box, cabinet, conduit body, or other tubing termination."

The debate I'm having today is whether or not couplings fall into this category. Does EMT need to be secured within 3ft of a coupling? What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

Agree with the graphics. The NEC clearly states that EMT should be supported within 3' of each box, termination point, etc. and every 10' feet in between. It says nothing about couplings.
 

rambojoe

Senior Member
Location
phoenix az
Occupation
Wireman
the conduit manufacters consider both ends as a termination point... but sometimes (mainly running below ceiling joists) the nec interpretation helps us because they are usually 11.5' on center. check the details on the prints- maybe the eng. wants it done a certain way. are we talking saving a bang on or one hole or just why the guy across the way is quicker?! I'm assuming the argument isn't with the leadman or mr inspector :)
 
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