gregwalter
Member
The 2002 code does not state support within three
feet of couplings on EMT conduit runs. Is this still a requirment?
feet of couplings on EMT conduit runs. Is this still a requirment?
conduit supports
- Thread starter gregwalter
- Start date
- Status
ryan_618
Senior Member
- Location
- Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: conduit supports
Not a requirement.
Not a requirement.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: conduit supports
No you do not have to have a support within 3 feet of a coupling.
No you do not have to have a support within 3 feet of a coupling.
gregwalter
Member
Re: conduit supports
When did this change take effect. Ive seen so many conduits sagging at the coupling where they are not supported close enough . The work looks sloppy .
When did this change take effect. Ive seen so many conduits sagging at the coupling where they are not supported close enough . The work looks sloppy .
ryan_618
Senior Member
- Location
- Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: conduit supports
The oldest book I have here at the house is 1999 and it wasn't a requirement then.
The oldest book I have here at the house is 1999 and it wasn't a requirement then.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: conduit supports
I have the 1990 code, I am missing 1993 and 1996.
But in 1990 you had to have a support within 3' of each box, cabinet or fitting.
I still install that way, at couplings and conduit bodies I am usually within a foot, boxes usually about 24"-30".
I never hold back with supports, they are what will keep it looking good year after year.
I have the 1990 code, I am missing 1993 and 1996.
But in 1990 you had to have a support within 3' of each box, cabinet or fitting.
I still install that way, at couplings and conduit bodies I am usually within a foot, boxes usually about 24"-30".
I never hold back with supports, they are what will keep it looking good year after year.
scott moran
Member
Re: conduit supports
An easy installation method is to space your supports at 2'6" from the ends of the conduit. This leaves 5" of distance betten each support. Makes for easy math and a clean install.
An easy installation method is to space your supports at 2'6" from the ends of the conduit. This leaves 5" of distance betten each support. Makes for easy math and a clean install.
websparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Cleveland, Ohio
Re: conduit supports
I'm trying to imagine a pipe run where you wouldn't have a support within 3' of a coupling.
Keeping in mind that it has to be fastened every 10' minimum.
Excluding a run across a joist/beam system where the structure was every 5'or so.
I'm trying to imagine a pipe run where you wouldn't have a support within 3' of a coupling.
Keeping in mind that it has to be fastened every 10' minimum.
Excluding a run across a joist/beam system where the structure was every 5'or so.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Re: conduit supports
In the 90 code 348-12 said: "...shall be securely fastened in place at least every 10' and within 3' of each outlet box, junction box, cabinet, or fitting" In the 93 code this same section read: "...and within 3' of each outlet box, junction box, device box, conduit body, or other tubing terminations".
CMP 8 accepted a number of proposals in principle that deleted the word fitting from the section. The substantiation submitted for these proposals claimed that because a coupling is a fitting some inspectors are requiring support within 3' of the couplings. The substantiations went on to state that it was not the intent to require support within 3' of a coupling. The panel accepted these proposals in principle unanimously and without a panel statement.
Don
In the 90 code 348-12 said: "...shall be securely fastened in place at least every 10' and within 3' of each outlet box, junction box, cabinet, or fitting" In the 93 code this same section read: "...and within 3' of each outlet box, junction box, device box, conduit body, or other tubing terminations".
CMP 8 accepted a number of proposals in principle that deleted the word fitting from the section. The substantiation submitted for these proposals claimed that because a coupling is a fitting some inspectors are requiring support within 3' of the couplings. The substantiations went on to state that it was not the intent to require support within 3' of a coupling. The panel accepted these proposals in principle unanimously and without a panel statement.
Don
big john
Senior Member
- Location
- Portland, ME
Re: conduit supports
Why not within three feet of a coupling? That doesn't make sense to me. The coupling is the weak link in a pipe run, both figuratively and literally.
I think couplings should simply be used to effectively join two pieces of pipe, not depended on as mechanical support from one length to the next.
Seems to me that removing that requirement was a step backwards.
-John
Why not within three feet of a coupling? That doesn't make sense to me. The coupling is the weak link in a pipe run, both figuratively and literally.
I think couplings should simply be used to effectively join two pieces of pipe, not depended on as mechanical support from one length to the next.
Seems to me that removing that requirement was a step backwards.
-John
pierre
Senior Member
- Location
- Westchester County, New York
Re: conduit supports
If the conduit run is properly supported, and the couplings are installed properly, the chances of the conduit failing at a coupling are pretty remote. I will wager all of Mike Holt's money that the ones that are seen to be sagging are not properly supported to start with.JMO
Pierre
[ November 02, 2003, 09:52 PM: Message edited by: pierre ]
If the conduit run is properly supported, and the couplings are installed properly, the chances of the conduit failing at a coupling are pretty remote. I will wager all of Mike Holt's money
that the ones that are seen to be sagging are not properly supported to start with.JMOPierre
[ November 02, 2003, 09:52 PM: Message edited by: pierre ]
- Location
- Massachusetts
Re: conduit supports
Their logic being that the support then supports the entire pipe and the coupling does not support one end of the pipe.
While we are on the subject of supports I always like to bring up that PVC is required to be supported much more.
I see electricians trying to go with the 10' spacing of EMT when running PVC.
From Table 352.30(B) support of RNC
1/2" to 1" = 3'
1 1/4" to 2" = 5'
2 1/2" to 3" = 6'
3 1/2" to 5" = 7'
6" = 8'
[ November 03, 2003, 06:15 AM: Message edited by: iwire ]
I see it a lot, some people prefer to put the support in the middle of each stick of pipe.
Their logic being that the support then supports the entire pipe and the coupling does not support one end of the pipe.
While we are on the subject of supports I always like to bring up that PVC is required to be supported much more.
I see electricians trying to go with the 10' spacing of EMT when running PVC.
From Table 352.30(B) support of RNC
1/2" to 1" = 3'
1 1/4" to 2" = 5'
2 1/2" to 3" = 6'
3 1/2" to 5" = 7'
6" = 8'
[ November 03, 2003, 06:15 AM: Message edited by: iwire ]
Re: conduit supports
Websparky,
I agree with your first part , if you have to support it within 3' of the box, you would assume if you go every 10' you would stay within 3' of a coupling.
But , what if you strap within 3' of the box and then you for some reason or another use 5 couplings between the first 20' of conduit and the next box.
You Do not have to strap within 3' of a coupling, the 2002,1999,1996,1993 NEC's states it must be strapped within 3' of termination points.
Hope this helps. Donnie
Websparky,
I agree with your first part , if you have to support it within 3' of the box, you would assume if you go every 10' you would stay within 3' of a coupling.
But , what if you strap within 3' of the box and then you for some reason or another use 5 couplings between the first 20' of conduit and the next box.
You Do not have to strap within 3' of a coupling, the 2002,1999,1996,1993 NEC's states it must be strapped within 3' of termination points.
Hope this helps. Donnie
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
Re: conduit supports
A strap is required within three feet of a outlet box, junction box, cabinet, condcuit body or other termination, not a coupling, see 358.30 (A). It has to be supported every ten feet.
The code hasn't changed.
A strap is required within three feet of a outlet box, junction box, cabinet, condcuit body or other termination, not a coupling, see 358.30 (A). It has to be supported every ten feet.
The code hasn't changed.
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