EMT Connectors and Ground-Faults.

EMT Connectors and Ground-Faults.

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frizbeedog

frizbeedog

Senior Member
Location
Oregon
What provides the best connection for for maintaining the Effective Ground-Fault Current Path when installing EMT?

Compression or Setscrew?
 
ItsHot said:
If I had to guess...setscrew???? Where is Marc tonight? I bet you he has already conducted his own test to answer this question!:D
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I'm hoping for some science to back up some of the responses. I recently heard an opinion on this matter. Not much science or reasons as to why the person thought the way he did, so......
 
I vote setscrew. I've seen more compression connectors and couplings fallen apart than setscrew fittings.

I've unscrewed complete sections of EMT joined by compression fittings just by twisting the conduit.*


*And not always on purpose. :mad:
 
frizbeedog said:
Pretty one sided so far. Interesting.
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Not so fast I say compresion for I am a big fan of surface area. Of course this is with me personally installing the connector. I guarantee mine wont pull out. I think set screw is cheezy at best thier castings crack allof the time when a little pressure is applied then now how is your groundpath?
 
Out here in these parts

Out here in these parts

We use whats called a ground wire. On the commercial work I've done, you ain't allowed to use the conduit for grounding.

I voted SS FWIW. Like those little set screws digging in.
 
kornbln said:
Why would one not just pull a ground wire? Is it to save money?
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Because not every one does pull a ground wire....and yes, if the code allows one not to be pulled, what's the most reliable, and will that information inform you decision as to whether or not to pull one.
 
frizbeedog said:
Because not every one does pull a ground wire....and yes, if the code allows one not to be pulled, what's the most reliable, and will that information inform you decision as to whether or not to pull one.
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I almost always pull a ground in unless I am specifically told not to or the wire cost is coming out of my pocket.
Just 35 yrs experience doing mostly comercial/industrial for the man, Resi for myself Started resi working for my dad at 12 yrs old. I was the trenching machine and official hole driller.
Was getting 2 bucks an hour and had a kitten when I saw a bill charging 7 bucks an hour . I almost had a heart attack the first time he showed me how to work hot I was begging and crying for him not to touch the bussbar because I thought it would kill him.
He touched it anyway and he is almost 90 now.
I consider cast set screw the cheapest crap out there Steel throat compression being the cadillac and the material price and job specs support me.
 
I would of voted for compression but unless you buy quality and use some wrenchs to tighten them they are no good..I believe the best way is to pull in a ground wire..yet set screw are the ones I use..
 
cschmid said:
I believe the best way is to pull in a ground wire..
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Actually studies have shown that an EMT raceway has less impedance than a copper wire EGC.

So the "best way" is actually a mechanically sound raceway system. :cool:
 
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