service mast through the roof

[rt66electric]

ripped out of the roof

ripped out of the roof

In our area the 2" RIDGID or GRC is the general requirement. The Ice storm of 2008 proved the reason why. Ice laden tree limbs woud snap off and fall on the service drops, smaller risers would be ripped off the wall and (if lucky ) only the meter top hub would be broken, other times the meter box and all would be dangling by the panel entrance wires. 1 1/2 grc 'risers through the roof' would bend to about perfect 30 deg bend. 2" grc 'through the roof riser' would either hold tight or rip-out the entire roof. A helper and I repaired 3to7 homes a day for at least 2 months straight. ( yes I'm bored and reading old threads, waiting on a teenager to arrive home)

 

[jrannis]

Bob

I got directed to that link a while back when debating the issue. In reality I have never been a fan of IMC and probably only used few sticks during the 24+ years in the trade just because that is what I had available. Even if my supply houses stocked it I doubt I would buy it. I would never think of burring IMC since even rigid rusts our in a few years in my area. IMC is also a PITA to bend compared to rigid.

Thats funny. I would always choose IMC over Rigid due to the price and weight. It is a little tricky to bend and thread but how much pipe threading does the average electrician really do anymore.
I did have some threadless that didn't fit very well many years ago but I cant think of a problem recently.
I remember, a long time ago, service trucks used to have a hand threader up to 2" on them, and a vice on the bumper. Don't see much of that around here anymore.

 

[ptonsparky]

For a service mast I prefer the IMC because of its resistance to bending. Especially true if I have to extend up through the roof a bit more to get clearances.

 

[infinity]

For a service mast I prefer the IMC because of its resistance to bending. Especially true if I have to extend up through the roof a bit more to get clearances.

We never use IMC but isn't one of the advantages of using it over RMC is that it's actually easier to make field bends, especially by hand?

 

[ptonsparky]

No, it is harder to bend. We don't have power benders so either hand bend or purchase them. We buy RMC for threading (sidewall is thicker), and bending because the metal is softer. Wire fill is just a bit different as well.