EMT run exposed

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I run EMT outdoors all the time and have never seen it rust unless it was not properly installed ( too close to ground level or even touching ground where it can't drain or near a salt air environment)

IMHO running PVC exposed outdoors is sub par. PVC has it's place and that place is underground.

I have customers right now where I installed EMT outdoors 15 years ago and it is not at all rusted, only sign I can see of how old it is the darker gray color of the steel.

These installations are in Florida where we get plenty of rain and sun. PVC installed outdoors here don't last but 5 years before it gets so sun damaged it turns almost white.
 
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We use lots of exposed EMT outdoors here in South Florida and we get lots of rain. Some of it will rust under the right conditions. Almost 100% of our buildings are plastered concrete block and now lots of tilt up. Usually the exposed EMT will have several coats of paint during its lifetime.

Someone mentioned Aluminum Rigid Conduit. That might be a good option over regular RMC.
 
mdshunk said:
Might be a northeast thing. EMT outdoors is a bad thing here.
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I just ran a feeder for a 75 kva transformer in EMT on the exterior of a building here in the Garden State. Check with me in a few years to see how it holds up.
 
I keep seeing EMT is a bad thing outdoors in the Northeast. I see plenty of it that looks good and has lasted for many years. Looks way better than PVC from what I've seen
 
I have installed EMT outdoors for many years & have never been called for not using "raintight" compression fittings. (I thought all compression fittings were "raintight". Thanks for the info Dennis.) Its interesting with the obvious color indicator on the fitting that an inspector has never tagged it.
 
wallyworld said:
I keep seeing EMT is a bad thing outdoors in the Northeast. I see plenty of it that looks good and has lasted for many years. Looks way better than PVC from what I've seen
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And I have seen many installations of EMT outside that all that was left was brown powder and open conductors.

I am not a fan of PVC either but my choices for exposed out door work would be RMC, IMC, PVC and bring up the rear EMT.
 
iwire said:
And I have seen many installations of EMT outside that all that was left was brown powder and open conductors.

I am not a fan of PVC either but my choices for exposed out door work would be RMC, IMC, PVC and bring up the rear EMT.
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100% agree
 
jrannis said:
Its OK I use THHN inside
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The fittings still have to be rated for wet locations.(358.42)>(314.15)

I have seen EMT,IMC, & RMC corrode. PVC can discolor, warp, become brittle & break. It all depends on the location & what kind of conditions the conduit will be exposed to. The best conduit would be the PVC coated Rigid or "OCAL" coated conduit, but that gets expensive.
 
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