Gentlemen, what is your opinion on using conduit as a mechanical means of support? Obviously, it’s generally not permitted when it’s used as a raceway. However, let’s say you want to hang a strip fixture, with aerial cable, from a piece of EMT that contains nothing and is installed specifically for that purpose. I could see an inspector having an issue with it, but I would argue that it’s not a conduit/raceway installed as part of the complete electrical system. Therefore, it’s just a mechanical means of support.
Supporting with conduit.
- Thread starter Pinnie
- Start date
hbiss
EC, New York NEC: 2017
- Location
- Little Falls, New York NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- EC
No problem.
-Hal
-Hal
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician (retired)
Nothing wrong with it all. It's no different than using another type of metal, wood or something else. In any case it's up to the AHJ to decide if it's adequate for the support.
Technically EMT is not conduit but that's a different thread.
See the link below and take note that it specifically says the top pipe is not a raceway.
NEC Inspector
Senior Member
- Location
- Kansas
- Occupation
- Inspector
Only if they are a moron. Or just brand-new and need more training.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician (retired)
If I cut a short piece of EMT and use it as a sleeve it is not a raceway. If I cut a piece of EMT and use it to support a fixture it is not a raceway. If I pound a whole length of 3/4" RMC into the ground to use as a rod electrode it is not a raceway. The inspector should get it.
I guess I more mean I can see someone at my company saying you can’t do that lol.
Although considered a "Sleeve" what defining factor does not allow a "Sleeve" to be considered a raceway?
Raceway - "An enclosed channel designed expressly for holding wires, cables, or busbars..."
Jap>
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
Pun intended?
jmellc
Senior Member
- Location
- Durham, NC
- Occupation
- Facility Maintenance Tech. Licensed Electrician
I don't know how that argument got started. In my circles, we called it all conduit or less formally pipe. EMT is just a variation of conduit, same as rigid, IMC or PVC.
electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
- Occupation
- Electrician
I recall that debate but not the specifics. What is the reason for saying it is not conduit? The NEC does not define conduit. And does it effect anything if it were indeed not conduit?
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
I agree EMT is conduit to all of us that live in reality. In the world of wackiness and the NEC EMT is tubing. It's dumb. It did have some effect on some of the derating rules for a while until the code language was changed from conduit to circular raceways, or something like that. Someone who actually cares about this kind of stuff can explain it better.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician (retired)
Article 100 doesn't even define conduit or tubing. About the closest you'll get is the definition of conduit body which does mention the two distinct and different systems.
Just for fun here is the UL categories for conduit and tubing, note all conduit (342 thru 356) is under DWFV whereas tubing (358 thru 362) has it's own categories all starting with "F"
Electrical Metallic Tubing (FJMX)..................................................................................... 139 Electrical Metallic Tubing Fittings (FKAV) .................................................................... 139
Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing (FKHU) ............................................................................ 140
Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing Fittings (FKKY) ............................................................. 140
Electrical Metallic Tubing (FJMX)..................................................................................... 139 Electrical Metallic Tubing Fittings (FKAV) .................................................................... 139
Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing (FKHU) ............................................................................ 140
Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing Fittings (FKKY) ............................................................. 140
hbiss
EC, New York NEC: 2017
- Location
- Little Falls, New York NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- EC
Dates back to when Jack Benfield invented EMT and tried to get the NEC to accept it. The NEC wouldn't accept it as conduit. It was tubing, thus the name Electrical Metallic Tubing. And I'm sure Jack didn't care what they called it as long as it sold.
-Hal
electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
- Occupation
- Electrician
How sure are you that that is true? It just doesnt seem to make much logical sense. Without a definition of "conduit", it doesnt seem to make any sense to "not accept it as conduit" but accept it for use as long as it wasnt called "conduit".
- Occupation
- Licensed Electrician
It's true. There's conduit and there's tubing. They're both in the code book. It's all conduit to me so I don't care.