Possibly the DUMBEST opinion question ever- Rigid vs MC

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

I have put it off long enough, time to power the shop. However.......

My pops has a bunch of scrounged conduit and stranded #14 wire (mostly new) and I have a Metric **** TON of fittings

This would cut cost, but more time involved. Looks cleaner right?

Or I can buy MC (flexible conduit with wire in it) and it would go SO much faster.
I have a bunch of connectors for these as well.

This increases cost (obviously) less time, but some say its not as "tidy" as rigid. Like every commercial building you see uses it for the most part.

So, I need opinions, I can afford either, but just looking for logic in this.

 

[pattenp]

MC basically has the same install requirement as NM so it can't be placed where it may be subject to any damage. Use EMT or RMC.

 

[sberry]

You can use some 14 for lights but you want 12 for recepts in a shop/garage.

 

[teamextreme]

^ What these guys said. Also, how are you running this? In-wall or surface? That will be the determining factor, IMO. Surface, use conduit, MC would look like ****. In-wall, use MC, conduit would be next to impossible to run.

 

[dw1]

So I am guessing that you can also bend and thread the RMC!! The time alone to do that...., I would be running romex or pvc conduit. I would also use #12 wiring for my outlets and a 20 amp circuit (just my preference) and then use the #14 for lighting (15amps) Where are you at in Southern Indiana?

In Edit: is this a commercial building? if you have offices, you can still use romex (all # 12) and use EMT or PVC in the Whse area

 

[Norcal]

MC is not "flexible conduit with wire in it", it's cable type wiring method like NM, or AC (BX), if you have the time to do it I would use rigid, or a mix, but would forget about using 14 AWG.

 

[sberry]

Is it really rigid or is it emt?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Cannot answer your poll. I would not waste time cutting and threading Rigid unless is were exposed outside (such as a iron freestanding weatherproof box sticking up from the ground. It would be EMT or Romex.

Charles

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

So I guess I let my HVAC slang creep in too much.....

Almost no one around here uses threaded rigid any longer. I was referring to EMT

MC is armored cable. Flexible conduit, And a multitude of other names (bx, ac, Bx= Bronx cable
ac= armored cable
There both the same cable the true technical name is AC.
AC Has a steel jacket
AC lite is some form of alum.
its like greenfield, flex, and FMC... all the same thing... just different names)
HOWEVER, not to be confused with seal-tite or its variants (whip, horsecock, etc)

It will be exposed but not surface mounted, rather ran along the Steel Horizontal "studs" in my building (I would call them stringers, but everyone seems really hung up on what **** is called, so you may decide for yourself).

It is a personal use building, and not commercial. Not sure it matters exactly where the building is located, but regardless, not info I am giving out.

Romex is out- does not meet code. MC will, as will EMT. I have no issues using 15 amp circuits. have 1 or 2 20's, but most of my high draw tools are 220 anyway, so a separate (and much larger) run will be made for those.

Hopefully this clears up the confusion. I have included an older picture of the inside.

 

[Norcal]

So I guess I let my HVAC slang creep in too much.....

Almost no one around here uses threaded rigid any longer. I was referring to EMT

MC is armored cable. Flexible conduit, And a multitude of other names (bx, ac, Bx= Bronx cable
ac= armored cable
There both the same cable the true technical name is AC.
AC Has a steel jacket
AC lite is some form of alum.
its like greenfield, flex, and FMC... all the same thing... just different names)
HOWEVER, not to be confused with seal-tite or its variants (whip, horsecock, etc)

It will be exposed but not surface mounted, rather ran along the Steel Horizontal "studs" in my building (I would call them stringers, but everyone seems really hung up on what **** is called, so you may decide for yourself).

It is a personal use building, and not commercial. Not sure it matters exactly where the building is located, but regardless, not info I am giving out.

Romex is out- does not meet code. MC will, as will EMT. I have no issues using 15 amp circuits. have 1 or 2 20's, but most of my high draw tools are 220 anyway, so a separate (and much larger) run will be made for those.

Hopefully this clears up the confusion. I have included an older picture of the inside.

There are some serious errors above, MC and AC are two different products, each having their own NEC articles 320 for Armored Cable, and 330 for Metal Clad, so they are not the same. MC, AC, NM (Romex®) all have the same requirement for protection from physical damage.

 

[hammlm]

I'd use EMT considering the information provided.

 

[dw1]

So I guess I let my HVAC slang creep in too much...
It is a personal use building, and not commercial. Not sure it matters exactly where the building is located, but regardless, not info I am giving out.

Romex is out- does not meet code. MC will, as will EMT. I have no issues using 15 amp circuits. have 1 or 2 20's, but most of my high draw tools are 220 anyway, so a separate (and much larger) run will be made for those.

Hopefully this clears up the confusion. I have included an older picture of the inside.

I asked about location because if you were set on RMC - I have all the tools to run it, and if somewhat close, was going to offer some help/tools ect. I suggested 20 amp receptacle circuits because anymore, alot of bigger tools, table saw, skill saw, 120v air comp are drawing 15 amps. I wired my barn, I used 15 amp lighting circuits and 20 amp receptacle circuits (all gfi) these are all just suggestions. I'm not going to hunt you down and take inventory of your barn, I am **** as most, that is why I installed a camera system on my barn. My barn is a mile down the road from my house on another piece of property I have. I can monitor it 24/7 I understand your statement.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

It will be exposed but not surface mounted, rather ran along the Steel Horizontal "studs" in my building (I would call them stringers, but everyone seems really hung up on what **** is called, so you may decide for yourself).

I believe the correct term is GIRTS. In the roof they are Purlins, in the walls, they are Girts.

Charles

 

[sberry]

Ya it makes a difference, tire, wheel, different, studs and sheeting girts are 2 different things,,, just like rigid and emt.

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

thank you all so much for the info......

 

[Big Daddy Chop Shop]

I asked about location because if you were set on RMC - I have all the tools to run it, and if somewhat close, was going to offer some help/tools ect. I suggested 20 amp receptacle circuits because anymore, alot of bigger tools, table saw, skill saw, 120v air comp are drawing 15 amps. I wired my barn, I used 15 amp lighting circuits and 20 amp receptacle circuits (all gfi) these are all just suggestions. I'm not going to hunt you down and take inventory of your barn, I am **** as most, that is why I installed a camera system on my barn. My barn is a mile down the road from my house on another piece of property I have. I can monitor it 24/7 I understand your statement.

Not saying you would, But you are not the only one out there reading it either. I appreciate the thought.

Thank you

 

[TheEquineFencer]

I'd use EMT considering the information provided.

I'd run EMT in your situation with 12ga. for everything myself, lights included. That will give you the option of going to commercial application later on. If not just use the 14ga. for lighting.