stew
Senior Member
- Location
- federal way,washington
Do short nipples between boxes need support? say not over 12" or so.?? such as between a ct can and a the disconnects mounted below it?
support of short nipples.
- Thread starter stew
- Start date
- Status
bphgravity
Senior Member
- Location
- Florida
Re: support of short nipples.
The nipple will have to be supported per the applicable raceway section of the NEC that the nipple is made of, EMT, RMC, Ect..
If the nipple is shorter than the required minimum support requirements, then perhaps the connection at each enclosure will qualify as the support point and additional straps may not be needed. I waould use good judgment on need and practicality.
The nipple will have to be supported per the applicable raceway section of the NEC that the nipple is made of, EMT, RMC, Ect..
If the nipple is shorter than the required minimum support requirements, then perhaps the connection at each enclosure will qualify as the support point and additional straps may not be needed. I waould use good judgment on need and practicality.
Re: support of short nipples.
I can't quote a NEC section here, but I have never seen an additional strap or clamp on a short nipple. I would say "not required".
I agree with Bryan to use good judgement, but at the same time I can't imagine any circumstance that would require additional support for something that short (assuming it is supported at each box).
Steve
I can't quote a NEC section here, but I have never seen an additional strap or clamp on a short nipple. I would say "not required".
I agree with Bryan to use good judgement, but at the same time I can't imagine any circumstance that would require additional support for something that short (assuming it is supported at each box).
Steve
ryan_618
Senior Member
- Location
- Salt Lake City, Utah
Re: support of short nipples.
The code gives no exception for a short length of pipe, or nipple.
I agree with Bryan, and I have never red-tagged for this, but there really is no exception.
The code gives no exception for a short length of pipe, or nipple.
I agree with Bryan, and I have never red-tagged for this, but there really is no exception.
jeff43222
Senior Member
- Location
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
Re: support of short nipples.
I've never seen anything in the code that says nipples don't have to be supported. Realistically, though, if you have two boxes 6" apart and connected with a nipple, it's kinda silly to require that the nipple be supported. It seems to me that this would be a good proposal for an exception to the support requirements.
I've put in clamps on nipples under 12". Using good judgment is all well and good, but the AHJ is the one who gets to make the final call.
I've never seen anything in the code that says nipples don't have to be supported. Realistically, though, if you have two boxes 6" apart and connected with a nipple, it's kinda silly to require that the nipple be supported. It seems to me that this would be a good proposal for an exception to the support requirements.
Re: support of short nipples.
If the boxes are supported, and the conduit is connected to the boxes with locknuts or meyers hubs, or a similar connector, I would think that would count as the required support, like Bryan said.
For example, if it's rigid conduit, per 342.30, one could have a 10' piece of conduit between two supported boxes and not need another strap. Of course, that would be stretching good judgement, and would not be a good design. But I think it would comply with the code.
Steve
If the boxes are supported, and the conduit is connected to the boxes with locknuts or meyers hubs, or a similar connector, I would think that would count as the required support, like Bryan said.
For example, if it's rigid conduit, per 342.30, one could have a 10' piece of conduit between two supported boxes and not need another strap. Of course, that would be stretching good judgement, and would not be a good design. But I think it would comply with the code.
Steve
rcarroll
Senior Member
- Location
- Fort Collins, Colorado
Re: support of short nipples.
As a master electrician turned inspector, I have never installed a clamp on a short nipple nor would I red tag this job.Ron
As a master electrician turned inspector, I have never installed a clamp on a short nipple nor would I red tag this job.Ron
stew
Senior Member
- Location
- federal way,washington
Re: support of short nipples.
Thanks for your support of my thinking as well. I am going to set this up so that I have space enuf so that if inspector gets picky I can slip a piece of 1 5/8" strut under the pipe and strap it.
[ June 22, 2004, 06:26 PM: Message edited by: stew ]
Thanks for your support of my thinking as well. I am going to set this up so that I have space enuf so that if inspector gets picky I can slip a piece of 1 5/8" strut under the pipe and strap it.
[ June 22, 2004, 06:26 PM: Message edited by: stew ]
stamcon
Senior Member
- Location
- South San Francisco CA
Re: support of short nipples.
Steve66, what about 346-12(a) (99NEC) - "Each rigid metal conduit shall be securely fastened within 3 ft (914 mm) of each outlet box, junction box, device box, cabinet, conduit body, or other conduit termination." (There's also the 5' exection for structural conditions)? Wouldn't this limit a nipple length to 3'(5' with exception) before strapping would be required?
Steve66, what about 346-12(a) (99NEC) - "Each rigid metal conduit shall be securely fastened within 3 ft (914 mm) of each outlet box, junction box, device box, cabinet, conduit body, or other conduit termination." (There's also the 5' exection for structural conditions)? Wouldn't this limit a nipple length to 3'(5' with exception) before strapping would be required?
Re: support of short nipples.
Stamcon:
If the box or whatever is secured to a wall, and the conduit is secured to the box, then I think that would count as a point of support within 3' of the termination.
The handbook shows a conduit strap 3' away from a junction box, but that jbox could be a box that has no other support besides that one strap. In other words, the last 3' of conduit and the box could be hanging out in the air.
Steve
[ June 23, 2004, 09:12 AM: Message edited by: steve66 ]
Stamcon:
If the box or whatever is secured to a wall, and the conduit is secured to the box, then I think that would count as a point of support within 3' of the termination.
The handbook shows a conduit strap 3' away from a junction box, but that jbox could be a box that has no other support besides that one strap. In other words, the last 3' of conduit and the box could be hanging out in the air.
Steve
[ June 23, 2004, 09:12 AM: Message edited by: steve66 ]
hbiss
EC, New York NEC: 2017
- Location
- Little Falls, New York NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- EC
Re: support of short nipples.
If the box or whatever is secured to a wall, and the conduit is secured to the box, then I think that would count as a point of support within 3' of the termination.
That's what I've always believed and 344.30(A)(2002 Code) should make it clear if the other box is 3 feet or less away. If the inspector gets picky ask them to show you where in the Code additional support is required.
-Hal
If the box or whatever is secured to a wall, and the conduit is secured to the box, then I think that would count as a point of support within 3' of the termination.
That's what I've always believed and 344.30(A)(2002 Code) should make it clear if the other box is 3 feet or less away. If the inspector gets picky ask them to show you where in the Code additional support is required.
-Hal
- Status