MC vs EMT

A

Alwayslearningelec

Senior Member
Location
NJ
Occupation
Estimator
Is there really a benefit to have EM circuits run in EMT in concealed locations over using MC cable? If so what's the benefit related to fire and/or damage?

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Probably because they teach us Emergency wiring circuits need to be "designed and located so as to minimize the hazards that
might cause failure due to flooding, fire, icing, vandalism, and other adverse conditions."
Same reason they can't use a MWBC to Em lighting, they need to work as long as possible for people to exit even if the building took some damage.
 
tortuga said:
Probably because they teach us Emergency wiring circuits need to be "designed and located so as to minimize the hazards that
might cause failure due to flooding, fire, icing, vandalism, and other adverse conditions."
Same reason they can't use a MWBC to Em lighting, they need to work as long as possible for people to exit even if the building took some damage.
Click to expand...
Was not aware of not being able to use MWBC for EM lighting. What code section?
 
It is a design issue in most cases, unless you are in Chicago where even dwellings require EMT.
If it is in the specs and you want to use MC, then you need to spell that out in your bid.
 
I cant speak to Em lights but FWIW in many cases depending on a job layout an experienced installer can run 1/2 IN EMT in the same amount of time as several runs of MC, such as 'home runs' or in a ceiling grid etc.
Case in point I got sent to run a new washer and dryer circuit in a residential basement yesterday and had my van full of slop from our last commercial job I somehow forgot the 10/3 romex so I ran 1/2 EMT in the customers basement instead of romex. Saved me from having to move a bunch of boxes actually.
 
Agree with @pipe_bender, EMT is almost always going to be cost effective for home runs or anything that has multiple circuits in it.

Locally, we can use either. Every new home I've seen has 100% EMT in it. Not sure why, local codes don't require it, perhaps GCs do. I am guessing that at $60-85/hr, the added labor doesn't outweigh the added materials cost in MC.

In service, running solo, I install EMT whenever I can to net more income rather than spending it on materials.
 
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