Anyone ever customize their conduit or elec boxes?

[Repsolracer22]

Hey guys. Finishing the interior of my 40x60 and we are doing electricity this week. Since im a powder coater, I was wondering if anyone else out there has considered powder coating or painting their metal conduit inside their building or their metal electrical boxes? Pictures if so?

I just purchased my electrical plug boxes (quads) and the metal conduit that will run vertical from boxes to ceiling. The metal walls are bright white, so I figured it might be cool to coat them a color, rather than just have the plain galvanized metal.

 

[tab2]

Ever been to a commercial space with an open ceiling? We paint them all the time. Black, white and everything in between. Paint sticks pretty well but scratches off face plates easily.

 

[Repsolracer22]

Yea powdercoat definitely won't peel or scratch off. Just wondering if anyone had taken the time to do it to theirs before. Wanted to see pics


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[wyliesdiesels]

Yea powdercoat definitely won't peel or scratch off. Just wondering if anyone had taken the time to do it to theirs before. Wanted to see pics


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Theres several threads on here from a few years back.

Do a search.

 

[Repsolracer22]

Theres several threads on here from a few years back.



Do a search.

Thanks. I definitely tried that. No go. I **** I guess


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[PelicanPines]

Friend has a sign... "yes it's booby trapped" on his gun safe.

 

[dfiler2]

I think it sounds like a great idea, wanted to see it done so I did a search, no go here too.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

If you do powder coat your pipe and boxes I'd suggest running a seperate ground wire through all the pipe/bonded to each box.
I'd run a tap through the ground screw hole in ech box before running the ground screw in.

 

[Norcal]

If you do powder coat your pipe and boxes I'd suggest running a seperate ground wire through all the pipe/bonded to each box.
I'd run a tap through the ground screw hole in ech box before running the ground screw in.

It would be foolish & wasteful to powder coat the inside of the box & it's going to be a ***** to remove the powder coating where the EMT is inserted in the fitting, it's doubtful the tubing has the clearances to enter the fittings w/ the additional coating on the surface, plus needs to be properly bonded together.

Have heard that factory painted EMT is avail. but have no idea where to get it, plus you can count on it being crazy expensive.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

It would be foolish & wasteful to powder coat the inside of the box & it's going to be a ***** to remove the powder coating where the EMT is inserted in the fitting, it's doubtful the tubing has the clearances to enter the fittings w/ the additional coating on the surface, plus needs to be properly bonded together.

Have heard that factory painted EMT is avail. but have no idea where to get it, plus you can count on it being crazy expensive.

you can buy it at any electrical supply house.
As far as the inside of the boxes,over spray does happen sure.
Either way I'd say running a ground wire is going to be easier than fighting with powder coated pipe to try and get a good mechanical ground.

 

[matt_i]

If you do powder coat your pipe and boxes I'd suggest running a separate ground wire through all the pipe/bonded to each box.

Isn't that a code requirement in the latest revision of the NEC? Metal conduit isn't a substitute for EGC = equipment grounding conductor.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Isn't that a code requirement in the latest revision of the NEC? Metal conduit isn't a substitute for EGC = equipment grounding conductor.

Referance number?

 

[Cmreschke]

Isn't that a code requirement in the latest revision of the NEC? Metal conduit isn't a substitute for EGC = equipment grounding conductor.

Not that I'm aware of. Don't think we will ever see that.

 

[Norcal]

Isn't that a code requirement in the latest revision of the NEC? Metal conduit isn't a substitute for EGC = equipment grounding conductor.

Metal conduit is a code compliant grounding conductor.

 

[matt_i]

I learned something new. I had studied a "pictoral code book" a few months back and thought that stuck in my mind. But...alas...fading grey matter.

I've always run a separate green ground wire bonded to boxes and enclosures when using EMT.

 

[walrus]

It would be foolish & wasteful to powder coat the inside of the box & it's going to be a ***** to remove the powder coating where the EMT is inserted in the fitting, it's doubtful the tubing has the clearances to enter the fittings w/ the additional coating on the surface, plus needs to be properly bonded together.

Have heard that factory painted EMT is avail. but have no idea where to get it, plus you can count on it being crazy expensive.

Walmart uses painted EMT as their ceiling has trusses exposed

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Isn't that a code requirement in the latest revision of the NEC? Metal conduit isn't a substitute for EGC = equipment grounding conductor.

Negative batman.

U may be thinking of BX/AC(armor clad) flexiable conduit. Code no longer allows the metal jacket to be used as an EGC.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Old BX may not be listed for grounding, but newer AC (with the aluminum strip in intimate contact with the armor) is.
Flexible Metal Conduit was formerly used for grounding purposes without a ground wire, but no longer is (The rule changed in the '70s or '80s I believe)

 

[sberry]

I aint powder coating conduit. keericed.

 

[LXCam]

The only over the counter painted conduit I know of is red for fire alarm systems. I wouldn't suggest PC unless you prefab everything then take it apart and get it coated. But if you're going to paint it you'll need to clean everything with vinegar, that'll neutralize whatever is in the glav coating that keeps the paint from sticking. If you don't it'll start flaking and falling off.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Metal conduit is a code compliant grounding conductor.

Actually properly installed EMT, IMC,or GRC provides a lower impedance grounding path than the copper wire in NM cable.

 

[-Brent-]

I knocked all the shininess off of my conduit and boxes and new sheet metal in my shop to make it look weathered to match the barn metal I'm using for my ceiling.

Vinegar would take forever. You'd have to use muriatic acid if you want it off in moments.

Here is an example of what I did to vary the weathered look of the galvanized.

 

[cybrdyke]

EMT conduit is readily available in 7 different colors. Couplings and connectors are, too. The premium is about 10% over regular color.
However, it's not painted. It's a dye that's put into the process of making the pipe, so it's not supposed to be pretty, like an Earl Schieb paint job. It's just there for identification of the circuits.
Good luck,
CD

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Good luck getting anything to stick well to galvanized. I forget how to prep it for paint.

Tommy

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

The only over the counter painted conduit I know of is red for fire alarm systems. I wouldn't suggest PC unless you prefab everything then take it apart and get it coated. But if you're going to paint it you'll need to clean everything with vinegar, that'll neutralize whatever is in the glav coating that keeps the paint from sticking. If you don't it'll start flaking and falling off.

Ive seen it in differant colors in the display at echo electric in omaha and cb anyway.
I've never bought any of it though.