Flimsy EMT drops from 20ft ceilings

[petersonra]

Im making several EMT drops from 20ft ceilings. I've tried Unistrut on the bottom 10ft, Rigid, Unitstrut and Rigid, Hanging from Allthread from lower elevations. Nothing really suites me, it still seems flimsy. What's a sturdy method? These are 30amp and below in size, and both 480v or 120v.

Im also thinking about cord drops, Kellum grips, aircraft cable, and cord connectors///:smile:

Use unistrut and run the wires inside it. it is listed as a raceway.

 

[Mule]

I hate rubber cord used for permanent wiring.

I agree...But I also hate this flimsy situation. So which is the less of the evils?

 

[Mule]

Use unistrut and run the wires inside it. it is listed as a raceway.

There's an Idea......I can't remeber, how long are those pieces of strut cover plates? all I remember is that they are a little tricky snaping into place...

 

[iwire]

I agree...But I also hate this flimsy situation. So which is the less of the evils?

Not being there it is not something I can answer but Bob's idea of using the strut as a raceway certainly has merit. :smile:

 

[Mule]

They make a plastic closure piece that comes in 10 and 20ft lengths....

http://unistrut.com/Browse/cat_detail.php?S=S02&P=P3712P

This is getting stronger and more affordable.....Hmmm

 

[iwire]

I have never seen plastic covers, here you can get steel or aluminum in 10' lengths.

http://www.powerstrut.com/electrical.html

 

[Mule]

I have never seen plastic covers, here you can get steel or aluminum in 10' lengths.

http://www.powerstrut.com/electrical.html

Yep, I think using welded 10ft lengths of strut (since I can haul it) and cover is going to be the fix with a chase nip and 4x4....thanks guys

 

[mattsilkwood]

thats cool i dont think ive ever seen strut used as a raceway. i take it it would have to be the solid type right?

 

[iwire]

i take it it would have to be the solid type right?

Yes solid.

Here is a typical application of strut raceway

Article 384 covers the rules for strut raceway.

 

[mattsilkwood]

thats cool bob. makes for a pretty clean installation too

 

[Fulthrotl]

Get 20' lengths of 1 5/8" x 3 1/4" strut.

Or if you can weld butt weld two 10' sections together.

so you are saying to use the strut as a raceway, with snap on covers?
like a power pole on steroids?

 

[iwire]

so you are saying to use the strut as a raceway, with snap on covers?
like a power pole on steroids?

I was not, but then Bob P brought it up and I agreed that would be a good option.

http://www.powerstrut.com/electrical.html

 

[donselectric]

we always used 1" conduit down to a fs box with a floor flange
or we did cord drops to facilitate constant changes..

 

[Mule]

Ive already fired off a email to my client, suggesting this method and since they always drop air in the same locations, via hard pipe, they could run PEC tubing down the opposite side of the "back to back" strut into a 90deg bulkhead fitting for the air chuck.......SLICK.... Thanks for the great idea, and I gave credit in the email to this great forum at "MIKEHOLT.com" !!

 

[iwire]

http://www.powerstrut.com/ps2002t.html

 

[Mule]

http://www.powerstrut.com/ps2002t.html

Thanks, I do 98% of my business with CED American Electric, and I dont know what brand of strut the've been selling me.....I just use it...:smile:

 

[iwire]

Thanks, I do 98% of my business with CED American Electric, and I dont know what brand of strut the've been selling me.....I just use it...:smile:

I understand but I am pretty sure B-Line and others make similar configurations. :smile:

 

[alfiesauce]

Strut is the bomb..

 

[Fulthrotl]

Ive already fired off a email to my client, suggesting this method and since they always drop air in the same locations, via hard pipe, they could run PEC tubing down the opposite side of the "back to back" strut into a 90deg bulkhead fitting for the air chuck.......SLICK.... Thanks for the great idea, and I gave credit in the email to this great forum at "MIKEHOLT.com" !!

yeah, the other side can be used for cat 5, air, whatever.

when i've used it this way, a 4 bolt flange on the bottom works well,
and some inspectors will have a problem with welding raceways, if
you are gonna butt them togeather, make sure you aren't gonna have
a problem with your inspector.

covers are 10'... i've never seen 20' ones, and putting them on and off
would be a pain.

used to use single strut for industrial lighting way back when, and you
could get it with 1/2" ko's in the back... just knock out one and hang
your lighting with a chase nipple into the strut, and 1/4"-20's and
fender washers for support, and all the wire goes in the strut.

and no drilling or pulling holes. it is a really clean install.

 

[hillbilly1]

I don't know if you have forklift traffic or the like, but I have used 3/4 emt flattened at both ends, run at a 45 degree or less angle to the conduit drop with a minerallac strap on the conduit with the other end bolted to the bar joist. I use two 90 degrees apart. Works well with larger conduits, haven't tried it smaller conduits. Economical and sturdy.