Offsets for metal conduit

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andrew

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I deperately need a code article (if it exists) for offsetting EMT, Rigid, IMC, etc. into an enclosure or box when it applies say coming off of a wall. I kind of lean towards 250.4(A)(5) due to the pipe going into the enclosure at an angle but believe that is a real stretch. Maybe I'm wrong to begin with but I never ran pipe (metal or plastic) the way some of these people do and seem to be able to get away with it. This type of workmanship is going to H... in a hand basket along with many other "trade" practices. If there is an article I intend on changing the face of alot of work in this area. If not I'll just do inspections sadly.

Thank You,
Andrew
 
The problem with 110.12 is it is to subjective. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder so to speak. Beleive me if I could use 110.12 I would. 90.4 wouldn't work either because there are more people out there who have little or no respect for the AHJ. They will want an article and if it is not a life safety issue it could be iffy. As one of the members said "you have to pick your battles". I really appreciate your reply Shocked but I need more to hang my hat on.
 
When I was about a 5 month apprentice I was using a sharpie for marking my conduit. There was a bunch of conduit already ran, but this was my very first stick I was throwing up. New to bending and happy with my bend, I hop up the ladder. Just before mounting it, in walks the inspector and my boss. The inspector says " That looks like $***". He belittled my abilities to no end. I know now that inspector doesn't like sharpies.

Perhaps that technique would work, but pretty extreme. Till this day, I still fear that inspector and I haven't even ran my own job yet ..... yet ;) Muwahahaha
 
another stretch is 358.24 but i dont know if the bend is severe enough to damage the tubing or reduce internal diameter
 
Andrew, I'm not sure I understand the question. Are you asking if box offsets are required? If so, I'd say 'no', but I'd want to see spacing, such as strut, in order to comply with required contuit securing without distorting enclosures. I'm sure this would fall under manufacturer's instructions, somehow.
 
Why not use one of these?


KorKap_Prod_img_38_0003.jpg
 
infinity said:
Why not use one of these?


KorKap_Prod_img_38_0003.jpg
Click to expand...

Because that would cost money.

These buffoons that make pretzels and say they can bend pipe are the cheapest of the cheap.
 
Smart $ said:
What is it?
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Basically, it's a spacer. Put it between your pipe and the face of a wall, running the screw for your strap right through the spacer.
The spacer maintains about a 1/4" clearance between the wall and pipe...and can eliminate the need for box sets (on smaller pipe sizes).
 
LarryFine said:
How is this better than strut or Mineralac (standoff) straps?
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If someone were simply running the conduit into the box on an angle without a box set, a spacer would keep to conduit straight. Most 1900 and 4 11/16 boxes require about a 1/4" box set. A spacer or back strap would eliminate the need for the box set. A piece of strut on the other hand would also require an offset in the conduit.
 
celtic said:
Basically, it's a spacer. Put it between your pipe and the face of a wall, running the screw for your strap right through the spacer.
The spacer maintains about a 1/4" clearance between the wall and pipe...and can eliminate the need for box sets (on smaller pipe sizes).
Click to expand...
Ohhh! A back strap. Quite familiar with 'em... just couldn't make it out in the image. Thanx :)
 
Larry, sorry didn't mean to be vague. So it seems we all agree that the pipe should go into the box or enclosure straight so maybe 358.42 will work Sarg. oh buy the way is that you Jerry (Marinesgt0411)????
Schoked it is to bad about that incident. Believe me we inspectors are not all that way.
Here is when an inspector needs to weld what little authority he has. This story is about 1 electrical contractor, his supervisor, and there lead man.
Resteraunt final, Temp power to building, T-Pole still heated (violation 590.3(A)), 8-3 SJ out of T-Pole 50 amp Receptacle with 50amp non GFI breaker (violation 590.6(B)(1)). This cord running along the sidewalk at least 50' to a temp. board all of us have made up one time or the other. I will give them until today to have a GFI protected Chapter 3 wiring method (590.2(A) and (B)) or they will be a couple more days getting their CO. This particular portion of the sidewalk was were every worker passed to get into building.
Just another story about a hard nosed inspector giving someone a hard time. (sic)

Andrew
 
celtic said:
Because that would cost money.

These buffoons that make pretzels and say they can bend pipe are the cheapest of the cheap.
Click to expand...


Amen to that.

You know, in my current environment, I just do maintenance, the company brings in an outside vendor to any major installation work. These guys are a union outfit (as is our maintenance crew) and justify their pricing by assuring the company that everything they do is prefect and beautiful, and the acme of craftsmanship....

But I tell ya, it's getting to be so I can't even walk through a project these guys are on without muttering under my breath and taking pains to not look to closely at their conduit. It's enough to make anyone who even owns a pair of levels cringe.

Coming from an environment where the company owner would drop by every so often and inspect pipe runs, it's been a real shocker (HA, pun intended) to see this sort of work get by. My old employer thought nothing of eyeballing a rack you had just spent six hours on and observing pithily "Take that s*** down. Do it again." I daresay it cost him a lot of OT, but talk about getting repeat business, and we sure washed out the guys who didn't really believe in their work in a hurry.

It's a shame that too often the "craftsmanship" is disappearing from our craft.
 
original question ???

original question ???

yo Andrew, what was the purpose of your original question .. was the pipe in question "NOT Offset" going into a box or was it just a bad one that was made ?? ...... M
 
LarryFine said:
How is this better than strut or Mineralac (standoff) straps?
Click to expand...

IMO: the Mineralac is the weakest support of all 3. The "backstrap" method I believe is the quickest. The strut is the most secure and allows for multiple runs easily.

In the Tidewater area back in the 70's they (AHJ) used to make us use them on horizontal exterior conduit (metallic) runs to keep water from collecting between the conduit and wall.
 
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