Circuit Numbers or Loop the Loop

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Circuit Numbers or Loop the Loop

  • Yes, it's easier for me to visualize.

    Votes: 6 35.3%

  • No, it's a waste of time.

    Votes: 11 64.7%
  • Total voters
    17
  • Poll closed .
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JoeStillman said:
It is interesting to me that everyone is referring to the "spaghetti" (I call it that too!) as conduit runs. In my case, it's either MC cable or NM cable. The only time I see EMT for branch circuit wiring is when the circuits are in an exposed space, like a boiler room, or when the contractor decided it was easier for himself. The only Code rule I can think of tha requires a raceway is for emergency circuits in article 517.

Is anybody seeing a lot of branch circuits in conduit these days?
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There is very little MC installed in my area...EMT is the norm...if you go a bit north of me, EMT is the code for residential.
 
charlie b said:
I really hate the ?spaghetti,? as I like to call the arcs and tick marks. My biggest problem, other than the clutter that others have mentioned, is that it takes engineering time to lay out the arcs, it takes CAD time to put them into the CAD file, it takes more engineering time to check the CAD work, and it takes all that effort all over again every time things change. Given my belief (confirmed by some of you in this thread) that the installer is not going to follow my design layout, but will make their own decisions about how to route the conduit, I consider all of that engineering and CAD time to be a total waste.

I had one client recently who absolutely insisted on my showing the arcs. I refused, but the installing contractor (it was a design/build project so we were on the same team) promised to include the arcs in the as-builts. The client wanted the arcs so that a future maintenance person would know where to go to isolate a problem outlet. They expected the arcs to show the actual conduit paths from outlet to outlet. I could not convince them that that is not likely to be the case.
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I am of the opinion that "less is more" when it comes to floor plans. As many have said, the contractor will find the most economical conduit route in most instances. Unless there are critical route areas that need to be delineated, I do not show the "conduit arcs". I only show the circuit labels.

I did want to make mention of a fantastic piece of software that I use called Design Master. It works seamlessly within autocad, and keeps track of circuiting, panel loads, and one-line connections. If you are a designer, I suggest you check it out. It also has options to automatically show the circuit label for each device, and it will also draw the circuiting and tick marks at the click of a button (if you so desire). I do not work for them, nor do I get a commission. I really think it is a great piece of software that deserves recognition.

If you are still using excel for your panel loads as a design engineer, you are spinning your wheels. Design Master will do this for you, as well as spit out device counts and takeoffs. I'm only briefly touching the surface of what it can do, but I am also trying not to hi-jack this thread.
 
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