pulling grounding conductors

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wardwire

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Is it necessary to pull a grounding conductor through e.m.t. conduit when set screw fitting are used . I have always just bonded my boxes and not pulled a grounding conductor . Is this still o.k.?
Thanks , greg
 
wardwire said:
Is it necessary to pull a grounding conductor through e.m.t. conduit when set screw fitting are used . I have always just bonded my boxes and not pulled a grounding conductor . Is this still o.k.?
Thanks , greg
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generally yes. emt is a legal egc.
 
wardwire said:
Is it necessary to pull a grounding conductor through e.m.t. conduit when set screw fitting are used . I have always just bonded my boxes and not pulled a grounding conductor . Is this still o.k.?
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Yep, see 250-118. Be careful though because bonding is extremely important and if you don't create an effective ground fault path (250-4(5)) shorts wont open a breaker, I've seen this many, many times!
 
I've seen a lot of conduit pulled apart. Set screws not tightened. Lock nuts not tight. Unless it's a steel building with steel studs I'd run a ground.
 
I've seen in the mere handful of jobs that I've been to about half with a ground conductor pulled and half without. Typically, we pull one size of wire down in grounding conductor than the main conductors we pull through the pipe (#12 wire, #14 ground). The times when we HAVE pulled it, it's been spec'ed, even in the wood building. What's nice is that if you have emt in brick, it allows you to Hilti your boxes flat to the brick, even if you can't get a connector on the pipe (just cut it flush...no sharp edges that way. We've had that accepted in locations where aesthetics were important).
 
AltonToth,
Typically, we pull one size of wire down in grounding conductor than the main conductors we pull through the pipe (#12 wire, #14 ground).
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That would be a code violation. If you install an EGC of the wire type, even in a metal raceway that is itself suitable for use as and EGC, the wire must be sized per 250.122. That would require a #12 EGC for a circuit with #12 conductors.
Don
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
AltonToth,
That would be a code violation. If you install an EGC of the wire type, even in a metal raceway that is itself suitable for use as and EGC, the wire must be sized per 250.122. That would require a #12 EGC for a circuit with #12 conductors.
Don
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Standard operating procedure here... I don't think I've ever bought a roll of #12 green.
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
AltonToth,
That would be a code violation. If you install an EGC of the wire type, even in a metal raceway that is itself suitable for use as and EGC, the wire must be sized per 250.122. That would require a #12 EGC for a circuit with #12 conductors.
Don
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Yes, under the NEC it's a violation, but AltonToth is in Canada. :)
 
I agree with Don and see this quite often in the field where EMT was used and the guy pulled in a smaller "just in case" EGC. Usually #10 circuit conductors with a #12 EGC.
 
This situation has always interested me. The NEC doesn't require the EGC in the EMT. But you pull a #12 green with the #10 ungrounded conductors anyway, just for fun. The inspector says "you can't do that, you need to pull a # 10 EGC." You say "I'll go you one better" and you just cut the #12 and remove it.
 
electricalperson said:
i always run an EGC with emt. i dont trust the set screws too much
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I am sure you know this but It's not the set screws that you can't trust it is the installers that don't tighten them. It is very easy to get distracted and forget to tighten one every now and then.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
It is very easy to get distracted and forget to tighten one every now and then.
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My cell phone has never rung while I'm running EMT.:grin:

I'm on the record many times here stating I always install an EGC (full size) in EMT. I've been with this company 4 years now. First couple years the owner would cry. I would tell him to take it out of my check.

Now all the core lead men at the shop install an EGC. We bid it in now, but I'm well aware the not all EC have this luxury.
 
Dennis Alwon said:
I am sure you know this but It's not the set screws that you can't trust it is the installers that don't tighten them. It is very easy to get distracted and forget to tighten one every now and then.
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thats pretty much the reasonwhy i run an EGC just incase someone forgot to tighten down the screw or locknut in a box
 
chris kennedy said:
I'm on the record many times here stating I always install an EGC (full size) in EMT.
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Yeah why take advantage of the EMTs lower impedance. :roll:

I find this to be one of those issues that electricians do just so they can say they are better then those that don't.
 
electricalperson said:
thats pretty much the reasonwhy i run an EGC just incase someone forgot to tighten down the screw or locknut in a box
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Think about what is tested and works for a ground fault path.

Would any of us have guessed the little spring wire they add on a self grounding receptacle would make a ground fault path?

Well it does, it has been tested for that purpose. :)
 
iwire said:
I find this to be one of those issues that electricians do just so they can say they are better then those that don't.
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While I am sure I don't pull one for that reason, I always have.(typical employee)


With the cost of copper, I am now reformed.

Opinions like yours and others, kinda help me see that.

EGC in EMT is a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.:smile:
 
wireman71 said:
I've seen a lot of conduit pulled apart. Set screws not tightened. Lock nuts not tight. Unless it's a steel building with steel studs I'd run a ground.
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I would still run a ground wire, even if that's the case.
troffers6.jpg
 
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