Vertical EMT in metal studs

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I'm guessing that he worried about a screw penetrating the EMT. There is no 1.25" setback rule for EMT so it could be run close to the face of the metal stud without protection.
 
infinity said:
I'm guessing that he worried about a screw penetrating the EMT. There is no 1.25" setback rule for EMT so it could be run close to the face of the metal stud without protection.
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If someone does drive a screw in such a situation, would the person be able to know that there is EMT in that stud, while driving the screw?

Probably best to follow the 1.25" setback rule anyway, to avoid the risk of this happening.
 
Carultch said:
If someone does drive a screw in such a situation, would the person be able to know that there is EMT in that stud, while driving the screw?

Probably best to follow the 1.25" setback rule anyway, to avoid the risk of this happening.
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I would guess that from the perspective of the NEC they would be able to tell. Self-drilling Sheetrock screws will easily penetrate EMT. If the metal studs are 2 1/2" or 1 5/8" then you cannot maintain the 1.25" setback.
 
# ~ #

Because of the "distance to the edges" issue, I would say that No,
...EMT is not permitted to be installed within metal studs......I
would cite Article 358.12, # 1 [ `08 NEC ] - " ...subject to severe
physical damage "........Those sheetrock screws and other types
of screws are a real detriment to the integrity of the EMT.

# ~ #
 
IMO the severe physical damage protection requirement is for after the wall is finished not before.
 
infinity said:
IMO the severe physical damage protection requirement is for after the wall is finished not before.
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So the building owner installs a fixture on the wall, years after the wall is complete, believing they are screwing in to a stud, when they are really screwing in to a stud + a circuit in EMT. Is that not physical damage?
 
Carultch said:
So the building owner installs a fixture on the wall, years after the wall is complete, believing they are screwing in to a stud, when they are really screwing in to a stud + a circuit in EMT. Is that not physical damage?
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Not according to the NEC. It specifically states that EMT does not need to be set back 1.25" from the edge of the stud.

(D) Cables and Raceways Parallel to Framing Members and Furring Strips. In both exposed and concealed
locations, where a cable- or raceway-type wiring method is
installed parallel to framing members, such as joists,
rafters, or studs, or is installed parallel to furring strips, the
cable or raceway shall be installed and supported so that the
nearest outside surface of the cable or raceway is not less
than 32 mm (1 1 ⁄ 4 in.) from the nearest edge of the framing
member or furring strips where nails or screws are likely to
penetrate. Where this distance cannot be maintained, the
cable or raceway shall be protected from penetration by
nails or screws by a steel plate, sleeve, or equivalent at least
1.6 mm ( 1 ⁄ 16 in.) thick.
Exception No. 1: Steel plates, sleeves, or the equivalent shall not be required to protect rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, rigid nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic tubing.
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Wiregirl said:
Is it permissible to run EMT vertically on the inside channel of a metal stud?
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well, yeah, but it's a poor choice. tiewire to the holes punched in the
center of the stud works better, and keeps two things from happening....

centerpunching the conduit with a drywall screw, or hitting the pipe tangentially
with a screw, causing the screw to cant and twist, blowing out the drywall.

that usually annoys the drywaller, who throws another screw nearby, harpooning
the conduit.
 
infinity said:
Not according to the NEC. It specifically states that EMT does not need to be set back 1.25" from the edge of the stud.
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It looks like the two requirements together (requirement and exception) boil down to:

If you are running EMT and you can maintain the 1.25" separation you must, but if you cannot, no problem.
:)
 
GoldDigger said:
It looks like the two requirements together (requirement and exception) boil down to:

If you are running EMT and you can maintain the 1.25" separation you must, but if you cannot, no problem.
:)
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That's not the way I read it. :)
 
infinity said:
That's not the way I read it. :)
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Look at the sentence structure again.
It starts out with a "must" to have the clearance.
It then qualifies that specifically for the situation where that clearance is not possible, with a required mitigation.
It then removes the mitigation requirement from the second situation.
Nothing overrides the original "must" that applies whenever you can.

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The code says what is says, but lets inject a little common sense once in a while. I've ran them on the inside of metal studs, but always in the center and never close to the edge. If they're hanging cabinets or shelving in the area though, don't even think about it!!
 
The code says if I want to install MC cable closer than 1 1/4 from the face of a stud I have to protect it with a 1/16th piece of metal, so I can put my MC inside of a piece of EMT or I can skip the MC just use EMT and individual conductors. Either way I'm not afraid.
 
ActionDave said:
The code says if I want to install MC cable closer than 1 1/4 from the face of a stud I have to protect it with a 1/16th piece of metal, so I can put my MC inside of a piece of EMT or I can skip the MC just use EMT and individual conductors. Either way I'm not afraid.
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For MC cable the 1.25" setback is only when it runs parallel to the stud, If you're running horizontal through the punched holes it can be closer than 1.25" to the face. This allows the use of 2.5" and 1.625" studs without additional protection.
 
Why not just take a couple pieces of bottom track, cover the open side, and run your conduit on that? Takes less than a minute and you wont have to worry about it.

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north star said:
# ~ #

Because of the "distance to the edges" issue, I would say that No,
...EMT is not permitted to be installed within metal studs......I
would cite Article 358.12, # 1 [ `08 NEC ] -" ...subject to severe
physical damage "........Those sheetrock screws and other types
of screws are a real detriment to the integrity of the EMT.

# ~ #
Click to expand...


?????????????? What system would you use??? I've been installing EMT in metal studs for 45 years. RX is allowed also.
 
Vertical EMT in metal studs

The inspector passed the EMT . He stated no problem whether outside or inside the metal stud just route it towards the center area of the stud to allow sheetrock screws space.


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