EMT Installation Tips

[BoydS]

Anyone want to share tips or lessons learned from their experience at installing EMT conduit..? I'm asking this question because I would like to save a few bucks and install the conduit and handy boxes myself. My goal is to install a complete conduit system within a 2400sf steel building and all suggestions would be welcomed. I'll admit I have no experience with installing EMT conduit, but it can't be that difficult.

I do have experience and knowledge of electrical systems and can design and estimate the material required for the installation. I'm also comfortable with pulling wire and terminations. It's just that I have no experience at installing EMT. Just looking for a bit of help.

 

[Mickey O]

Familiarize yourself with the code, how many of what size conductors are allowed and where it's to be secured (how far from a box and intervals). For bending there are real simple instructions usually on the bender package (probably find lots of bending info on the internet), offsets for entering boxes, etc. You're only allowed so many degrees of bend between pulling points. My opinion is to use a hacksaw or porta-band not use a tubing cutter on EMT (I know they make one), clean up and burrs after cutting. Buy extra if this is your first time using it.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Learn the "takeup" and what it is on the conduit bender, use setscrew connectors, look up how to bend an offset, use plumb bobs or weighted strings to measure out in open air on a ladder by yourself, and you will be successful.

 

[Keep]

buy/rent a tubing bender, makes life much easier.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Print off this document. It explains bending conduit, take up, various types of bends, etc, better than anything I have seen.

http://www.mikeholt.com/documents/freestuff/BendingRoundRaceways.pdf

As already noted, don't waste time with a tubing type cutter. I use the daylights out of my Northern Hydraulics band saw. That and a couple of roller type fold up supports to hold the long stuff. You get nice square cuts and if you need to trim a little, you can easy shave off a eighth or so.

I did buy a Klein conduit de burring tool. Its a stepped type that is good on 1/2, 3/4, and 1" conduit, and does a good job of deburring. Will save lots of time over any other method, provided you make square cuts (thats where the band saw comes in handy).

Charles

 

[jkeyser14]

Running conduit isn't hard but it will take a little while for you to get the hang of complicated bends. Watch a couple youtube videos on bending conduit, they are pretty good at explaining how to do things like measure for an offset bend.

1/2" and 3/4" conduit are pretty easy to work with, 1"+ starts to get a bit tougher to do things like small precise offset bends since it takes a bit more muscle. If you're running 12 ga thhn wire for 20 amp circuits you won't really need more than 1/2" conduit.

 

[hammlm]

If you're using 1/2", learn how to make offsets.

I generally use a 30* (degree) offset because it's easy. if you want to make a 4" offset, you make marks 8" (offset depth x two) on your pipe and make two 30* bends in opposite directions.

Learn how to make shallow offsets for boxes. Nothing is worse than seeing a piece of pipe strapped to a surface and then being "flexed" out into a connector on a box.

Not sure how extensive your job is, but one of these offset bender is nothing short of awesome if you have a whole bunch of offsets to make.

Learn the difference between the star and the arrow on your bender. Using the arrow, the take up from the end of the bend is 6" using an ideal (or knock-off) bender.

Plan on waste, especially early in your job.

x2 on whoever said use set screw connectors...

 

[BoydS]

Thanks for the feedback, but I do have a pretty good understanding of electrical design. It's just that I have not worked with EMT conduit before. I only have a 3/4" foot bender and it seems to work well with the single bends on the 1/2". It's those compound bends that I need a lot of practice with.

I have a steel grit 4' off the floor that I am attaching the handy boxes to for most of my receptacles. I'm using 2 handy boxes (similair to CharlesGa installing) and connecting them with back to back *******, but my EMT is installed under the grit. Seems to work well.

I've also used beam clamps to attach the EMT to columns that I have installed receptacles at about 10' off the floor. These will be used for fans and other items I want mounted high.

Thanks again..

 

[crewchief888]

glad i ran across this thread
i knew there had to be the proper way to set up bends
soon as the weather breaks it'll be time to get a few outlets in the garage

thanks

 

[DURAMAT]

As electrodude said, 3/4"!! Remember lots of foot pressure to keep from "kinking" it. Sawzall cutting it, and setscrew connectors, couplings cause the compression ones **** and never stay tight. And bag the handy boxes and just use the 4 square DEEP boxes with industrial covers and save yourself the grief of cramming your conductors back inside.

 

[oleguy]

go to coxco.net get thier book ELECTRICIANS GUIDE TO CONDUIT BENDING.HAS ALL THE TABLES AND OTHER INFO RELATED TO CONDUIT BENDING.$21.95

 

[Mickey O]

There's nothing wrong with the compression fittings, I've used tons of them and never had a problem and they didn't loosen.