Conduit support with boxes on every purlin

[storeytime]

I know that NEC 358.30, Exception 1 allows for supporting conduit at 5' from box that is mounted on a purling and the next purlin is within that 5' distance.
I have a situation where there is a box on every purlin with conduit in between. Total of 12 boxes, each mounted on purlin with conduit between each box. Do I have to use one of those Caddy fasteners like in the picture? Are there any other methods besides this?

 

[LarryFine]

You could run shallow strut the full distance and mount the boxes and conduit to it.

 

[infinity]

I have used those Caddy bars. Honestly if the box is screwed to the purlin those bars are pretty useless. They do satisfy the code requirement so that's why we use them.

 

[storeytime]

You could run shallow strut the full distance and mount the boxes and conduit to it.

That was my first choice. I think I'm going with that. Thanks!

 

[Tulsa Electrician]

I call them cheater bars.
I dislike them.
We do a S
12" Inch 90 back to back then run the next the other way. Boxes line up. Minies or one holes. Depending on your liking.
It does use more pipe versus cheater bars with 5' center to center purlins. One may out way the cost of the other.

 

[infinity]

We do a S
12" Inch 90 back to back then run the next the other way. Boxes line up. Minies or one holes. Depending on your liking.

How do you support the raceway with the 90's? Seems like a lot of extra labor to save buying a cheap Caddy bar.

 

[Tulsa Electrician]

Keep in mind this is how it was done prior to cheater bars.
Rough sketch.
Pipe and wire used to be cheap.

 

[infinity]

Keep in mind this is how it was done prior to cheater bars.
Rough sketch.
Pipe and wire used to be cheap.

Ahh got it. For some reason I thought that the elbows went in and out of the back of the boxes. Like I said prior these Caddy bars don't do much but they do help to streaming the installation and also in pulling in the wire.

 

[ActionDave]

We call them Fake Straps or Fake Caddies. Every time I use one I'm astounded that they are legal.

 

[Strathead]

We call them Fake Straps or Fake Caddies. Every time I use one I'm astounded that they are legal.

Well, it just shows that code required supporting is often times unnecessary.

 

[jap]

Running shallow strut the full length across the purlins seems like a huge overkill.

I'd find a different way to run my pipe if that was what I had to resort to.

JAP>

 

[storeytime]

Running shallow strut the full length across the purlins seems like a huge overkill.

I'd find a different way to run my pipe if that was what I had to resort to.

JAP>

We can't trapeze because it would block the lighting, so we have no choice but to run the conduit across the purlins. 4 rows, 60' long each, box with receptacle on each purlin. 12 in each run. I looked into the unistrut versus Caddy hangers. It would make about a + $500 difference to run the strut, and that's not counting the spring nuts, bolts, washers, etc.

Well, it just shows that code required supporting is often times unnecessary.

Exactly!

 

[infinity]

IMO there is no reason use strut for this type of installation.

 

[letgomywago]

I feel like some one at caddy did the S for a job and said "that's stupid I can do better" and now there's a bracket that does it all with a listing OKing it.

 

[jap]

IMO there is no reason use strut for this type of installation.

I totally agree.

I don't see what you gain by it.

JAP>

 

[LarryFine]

I didn't say it was a great alternative.

 

[jap]

I know that NEC 358.30, Exception 1 allows for supporting conduit at 5' from box that is mounted on a purling and the next purlin is within that 5' distance.
I have a situation where there is a box on every purlin with conduit in between. Total of 12 boxes, each mounted on purlin with conduit between each box. Do I have to use one of those Caddy fasteners like in the picture? Are there any other methods besides this?

I haven't looked it up but Is the conduit not considered supported by the connector in the box?

JAP>

 

[Netpog]

Why not 1x3 in 12' lengths?

 

[letgomywago]

Why not 1x3 in 12' lengths?

I'd think a place like this might require metal for type 1-3 construction. Maybe short metal stud but those are flimsy.

 

[storeytime]

I haven't looked it up but Is the conduit not considered supported by the connector in the box?

JAP>

It should be sufficient but the NEC doesn't see it that way. We decided to use the caddy hangers. They are nothing but for show and code compliance.