EMT spec- no 'indent type connectors'

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greenspark1

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I have never seen this term used before, can someone explain what are 'indent-type connectors or couplings'? I assume they mean no set screws, but compression couplings seem in a gray area. Gotta love spec obfuscation. :)
 
I have to agree with you on set screw connectors being indenting.
I do not think that compression connectors are considered as indenting the EMT, since most or all of the deformation takes place in the compression ring.
If only they had threaded EMT connectors. You could be sure that although those involved deformation there would be no indentation.
:)
As for hypothetical two piece clamp and screw connectors, I would not consider those to be indenting either unless grossly over torqued.
If they ever develop toothed connectors like the SharkBite (TM) connectors for copper and PEX plumbing, I would lean toward those being indenting too. But we can burn that bridge when we come to it [sic].

Tapatalk!
 
greenspark1 said:
I have never seen this term used before, can someone explain what are 'indent-type connectors or couplings'? I assume they mean no set screws, but compression couplings seem in a gray area. Gotta love spec obfuscation. :)
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I have not seen them used in a while but there at least used to be a type of EMT that had a fitting that was slipped over the EMT and then crimped on with a single indent. many of the installations I have seen using this method seem to come apart. I thought it had been all but abandoned, or maybe even no longer available, since I have not seen it used in a long while.
 
greenspark1 said:
I have never seen this term used before, can someone explain what are 'indent-type connectors or couplings'? I assume they mean no set screws, but compression couplings seem in a gray area. Gotta love spec obfuscation. :)
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How old is that specification? I have seen crimp fitting but never used them. Never even seen the tool.
 
I doubt if the spec is intended to prohibit set screw couplings, but the only way to find out for sure is to ask the person that wrote the spec.
 
Thanks for the replies!

This is a VA hospital spec, who knows how old.

Thanks for the link to the install manual- it has a good example of a crimp type connector. Never seen or heard of them before. Glad they are obsolete.

I think we decided set screw isn't acceptable, but compression should be fine. Any objections? I'm sure the project engineer will agree with our consensus :)
 
dhalleron said:
I forgot they came apart sometimes. Other times you had to beat up the emt to take it apart.
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They only came apart if the original installer did not fully close the crimp tool, or if the indenter tips on the tool were wore out or broke off.
They were nice for exposed work as there was no bow in the EMT at the couplings when you fastened the EMT to a surface.
I think Raco still makes them. As I recall they were only available in 1/2" and 3/4".
 
greenspark1 said:
Thanks for the replies!

This is a VA hospital spec, who knows how old.

I think we decided set screw isn't acceptable, but compression should be fine. Any objections? I'm sure the project engineer will agree with our consensus :)
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For some reason a lot of designers think compression fittings will give a better ground than a set screw.
I don't buy into that but if that's what they want........
 
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ptonsparky said:
I don't remember ever taking an indent fitting off a conduit without a hacksaw and even then it was still on a short piece of conduit.
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Same here. It if comes off it was never installed properly to begin with. Same mistakes can be made with set screw or compression connectors - it happens. Set screw connectors often are easier to tell if you forgot to tighten them just at a glance.
 
When I started my first electrical job in 1976, EMT crimpers were on the tool list but the boss told me to disregard them, that they no longer used them. I have seen a few crimped on couplings & connectors over the years. Never had to remove them but I would try my channelocks on them to see if they moved. Rock solid, no wiggle at all. I think all the ones I saw had 1 crimp mark, about the diamater of a 10 penny nail, about 1/8 inch deep, crimping through the fitting into the EMT.
 
jmellc said:
...I think all the ones I saw had 1 crimp mark, about the diamater of a 10 penny nail, about 1/8 inch deep, crimping through the fitting into the EMT.
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They should have at least two as the crimp tool had two indenter points. I was taught to crimp the connection twice, rotating the tool 90? between crimps.
 
The instructions do say to crimp twice, with each operation of the tool making two indents. And if you use the current tool it will not open unless it has been fully compressed.

Tapatalk!
 
iwire said:
They may make an indent but I am sure they are talking about the type dhalleron posted.
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...they want compression connectors/couplings, not indentation type connectors/couplings (crimped or set screw styles)
 
jusme123 said:
...they want compression connectors/couplings, not indentation type connectors/couplings (crimped or set screw styles)
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If they wanted compression the specs would say that. It is a common spec.

The way it is written in this case any fitting except the indenter tool type fitting are fine.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
They should have at least two as the crimp tool had two indenter points. I was taught to crimp the connection twice, rotating the tool 90? between crimps.
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I have only seen a few and didn't think to look all around the fitting. They may have had 1 on the back side as well. If I see others I will look.
 
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