Conduit on two post lift

[Kaizen]

I’ve run conduit throughout my garage. Made it perfect so it looks nice. Ran conduit to box above my two post lift and intended to use flexible metal conduit down to the box. But it looks like ****. Thinking of running conduit straight down to a box. Question is the post can move a little and wonder if I can mount hard lines or do I need some kind of flexible connector at the top of the post?


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[sreeb]

I ran hard conduit.

It will flex some and neither your building nor your lift should move much.

 

[rsanter]

How long will the drop be?
If it’s a couple feet or more long it will have plenty of flex in it

 

[Kaizen]

How long will the drop be?
If it’s a couple feet or more long it will have plenty of flex in it

Conduit would make a 90 and go 8 feet down post. Have holes already to secure it. Theoretically a coupling would pop with an inch or two of movement. Main concern is it against code.


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[Jim greengo]

If you're lift is moving after being bolted to floor I'd say you've got bigger problems to worry about.

 

[Kaizen]

If you're lift is moving after being bolted to floor I'd say you've got bigger problems to worry about.

It’s not. Doesn’t mean it’s not required to have a flexible part. I’ve never tried to measure but I’d guess all move a little with a superduty on it. Especially at the top where I’m asking about


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[Ray-CA]

Could you use a short length of flex conduit between the ceiling and the remainder of the conduit? Kinda like using a flex hose between the compressor and your hard pipes/

Ray

 

[exranger06]

I would run EMT down the lift column, but transition to flex to go between the wall and the lift column.

 

[Kaizen]

Could you use a short length of flex conduit between the ceiling and the remainder of the conduit? Kinda like using a flex hose between the compressor and your hard pipes/

Ray

If required this is what i would do. 90 down and then 6 inches or so of flex conduit then back to conduit.

 

[Kaizen]

I would run EMT down the lift column, but transition to flex to go between the wall and the lift column.

assume you meant between lift column and box. yes i don't think i have enough room to do a 90 down there so it will be flex of some sort.

 

[checkthisout]

Rigid is fine. The only thing is to estimate the amount of movement and then see if its going to damage the box where it attaches.

I would go flex from the ceiling box then connect that to the rigid on the hoist with ac to conduit fitting (no box).

 

[checkthisout]

Also, post some pics.

 

[Sokoloff]

You can also use the bends in conduit to your advantage. Think of making a "spring" out of the conduit (either with bends you already have to have or with additional strategically added bends).

EMT will be unhappy if you ask it to stretch/flex 3/4" along its length. It will be better able to absorb that much flexing through a series of bends.

 

[crook038]

I used SOOW cord from the ceiling to the limit switch then down to the motor control. Simple and allows post flex(yes the post tops do move a small amount when lifting a vehicle.)
Sean

 

[alfredeneuman]

^^^^^^^^^^^
Flex needs to supported within 12" of each end, and every 4-1/2 feet in between.

Lifts, elevators, and cranes can be, by the NEC, hardwired with cord and only require strain relief connectors at the terminations.

 

[Falcon67]

What I did - no box in the attic, just a bushing and ran the NMC down the pipe.

 

[Kaizen]

What I did - no box in the attic, just a bushing and ran the NMC down the pipe.

Going to try this tonight. Did you connect one leg to that switch for an emergency shutoff?


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[u2slow]

If you're worried about the EMT couplings/connectors pulling apart as it flexes, run that stretch with a bond wire to maintain the ground path.

 

[Kaizen]

If you're worried about the EMT couplings/connectors pulling apart as it flexes, run that stretch with a bond wire to maintain the ground path.

Not overly worried about grounding. More about it separating then pinching a wire going back together. Very low risk but I’m guessing the inspector will question it


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[u2slow]

If conduits are separating you REALLY want to be worried about grounding. The ground path is contingent on all the connectors staying tight. Running the extra conductor would be a good choice IMO. Also sets you up well in case you need to use a piece of flex conduit. I'd probably use something like a length of unistrut off the lift column to get closer to the wall or ceiling you're feeding from.

 

[Kaizen]

If conduits are separating you REALLY want to be worried about grounding. The ground path is contingent on all the connectors staying tight. Running the extra conductor would be a good choice IMO. Also sets you up well in case you need to use a piece of flex conduit. I'd probably use something like a length of unistrut off the lift column to get closer to the wall or ceiling you're feeding from.

Wasn’t worried as I believe the whole lift is grounded. I will have to look at the motor again.


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[alfredeneuman]

Wasn’t worried as I believe the whole lift is grounded.

How is it grounded if there's no electric supply?

 

[pattenp]

How is it grounded if there's no electric supply?

I believe the lift is powered and the OP is adding a power outlet on the column from a box on the ceiling.

 

[Kaizen]

How is it grounded if there's no electric supply?

Running off a generator when I need it. So I already wired a plug to it once.


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[sparky 1971]

I have hooked up about eight lifts. On each one, I turned an emt 90 down from the ceiling, then transitioned to about a foot or so of flex, then back to emt down to the lift control. The short piece of flex should be enough to take up any vibrations.

 

[acnsx1]

just had my lift installed and ran flexible conduit from a box in ceiling to a twist lock outlet. motor lead has a matching twist lock plug. looks good. i'm not ocd

 

[Kaizen]

I have hooked up about eight lifts. On each one, I turned an emt 90 down from the ceiling, then transitioned to about a foot or so of flex, then back to emt down to the lift control. The short piece of flex should be enough to take up any vibrations.

What fittings go from flex to solid? Do I use a connector for a box and just not use the lock nut? Threads looked different then specific flex connector that screws into flex conduit


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[Kaizen]

just had my lift installed and ran flexible conduit from a box in ceiling to a twist lock outlet. motor lead has a matching twist lock plug. looks good. i'm not ocd

Ha I’m not ocd normally. I wanted the conduit to be perfect in the shop as it’s visible. So the lift must comply


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[sparky 1971]

What fittings go from flex to solid? Do I use a connector for a box and just not use the lock nut? Threads looked different then specific flex connector that screws
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There are fittings that make the emt to flex transition, but I have never used them. I use an emt connector and a flex connector screwed into opposite ends of a rigid coupling.

 

[Jim greengo]

There are fittings that make the emt to flex transition, but I have never used them. I use an emt connector and a flex connector screwed into opposite ends of a rigid coupling.

That's what I'd normally do.

 

[pbon]

I used the gray pvc conduit on my old 2 post lift. It can flex more than metal so I did not use any flex section between the ceiling box and the top of the post. I was going to the motor not an outlet so I used the gray pvc flex to curve over to a right angle fitting going into the motor.

 

[Kaizen]

There are fittings that make the emt to flex transition, but I have never used them. I use an emt connector and a flex connector screwed into opposite ends of a rigid coupling.

Never in a dozen years would I have thought of that. If it gets out of single digits I’m going to give this a try

Edit
For any other idiots....threaded rigid coupling. Off to the store...


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[Kaizen]

A few trips to the store and pretty much have it. Need to find a better box for my emergency stop switch but I have the hard lines in place.
Thanks for all your help.




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[pbon]

That looks pretty good.

What kind of lift is it that routes all the hoses exposed on the outside?

 

[checkthisout]

That looks pretty good.

What kind of lift is it that routes all the hoses exposed on the outside?

All lifts run the hoses on the outside of the posts.

 

[Kaizen]

That looks pretty good.

What kind of lift is it that routes all the hoses exposed on the outside?

Atlas 10k. Keeps them away from moving parts that could wear through the hoses.


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[pbon]

All lifts run the hoses on the outside of the posts.

My Atlas did not, but was a baseplate. My Bendpak does not, but is a 4 post. So maybe it is just 2 post top plate lifts that run hoses on the outside of the columns.

 

[Super Mech]

I have three lifts and they all have rigid piping. No problems in 8 years in this shop. In the old shop they had rubber cords from a box on the ceiling. I hated the way it looked but that’s how I got the shop.

 

[checkthisout]

My Atlas did not, but was a baseplate. My Bendpak does not, but is a 4 post. So maybe it is just 2 post top plate lifts that run hoses on the outside of the columns.

Logically.

 

[pattenp]

All lifts run the hoses on the outside of the posts.

Incorrect.