EMT vs. PVC

[Tscott]

Hi all,
The shop is progressing nicely, and they should begin siding this week. I am beginning to think about electrical inside as a next step. It is a steel building so all my wiring has to be in conduit. I have never used EMT or PVC for wiring and would like to know which you all prefer? I live in Florida and my first step will be to get a copy of the electrical codes for such an installation, but other than that I am not sure which way to go. What are the positives and negatives of each system?

Tom

P.s. I am unsure if my electrical code allows me to use the EMT as a ground source, but either way I plan to run a ground wire throughout the system for safety sake. I figure the extra cost is probably negligible.

 

[kbs2244]

Just because I grew up with it I am an EMT guy.
And I go with 3/4 inch and the deep boxs.
It is just so much easier to pull the wire and place the outlets.
And it serves as the ground under any code I have worked to.

And if it is exposed I put in too many hangers.
Because people are going to hang things from thos pipes.
They are just too convient not to use.
So I want them supported.
From what I have seen, PVC will not support some of the stuff I have seen hanging off EMT.

 

[nadogail]

PVC, installed correctly, is easier for a rookie to install.

 

[Tscott]

This shop will only be used by me so I am not concerned with what will hang from the conduits, I know better. The shop is a 36' x 60' steel building, and the plan is to place the main panel on one of the end walls near a corner and run conduits (not sure how many yet) overhead along the intersection of the wall and roof. I will then place boxes and drops where I need them while still allowing some amount of expandability in the future. All of the 120 volt outlets will be on 2 or 3 circuits on their own. They will be quad outlets with 2 circuits to each box to allow multiple things to run from each box at the same time. Large things like compressors and welders will eventually have their own circuit installed and the lights are going to be broken up into at least 3 circuits (i.e. one for each bay) so they can be switched on and off independently. I guess my next step will be to draw out my plans in a one line and get my thoughts together.

Any pointers would be a big help. I have a copy of the Ugly's 2005 electrical reference I use at the office, so calculating conduit fill and derating conductors can be done with relative confidence and to code. I will probably have lots of questions for the group in the coming months and would just like to say thanks in advance. Also, I have pictures to post in the build section, so don't worry, you addicts will get your fix from me soon enough.

Thanks,
Tom

 

[Tscott]

Oh, quick question that popped into my head. Can you color code your outlets? More specifically, could I use different color outlets in my quad boxes to denote different circuits?

One more. Is there a maximum number of connections one can make in a junction box with wire nuts, or is it basically limited by the number of conductors you can fit in the pipe leading to it?

Tom

 

[MisterCMK]

Use EMT. Don't bother with PVC for that.

 

[Tscott]

PVC, installed correctly, is easier for a rookie to install.

The only thing that bothers me about PVC is the fact that it would be almost impossible to disassemble in the future once it has been glued. This is by no means a deal breaker, it would just be on my mind if I chose to go with PVC.

Tom

 

[Falcon67]

Oh, quick question that popped into my head. Can you color code your outlets? More specifically, could I use different color outlets in my quad boxes to denote different circuits?

One more. Is there a maximum number of connections one can make in a junction box with wire nuts, or is it basically limited by the number of conductors you can fit in the pipe leading to it?

Tom

# of connections - Not in some of the houses I've lived in LOL. I would say that in the shop, my lights and one plug run happen to land in a deep 4" because they happened to home in that spot. That's three switch legs, one 12 ga plug out, two 14 ga light runs and two 12 ga feeds. It's a PITA to stick your finger in there. Try to minimize even if you put two boxes side by side - you'll thank yourself if you ever go back into the box. I wish I had pics of some of the weird junctions I've seen in the houses we've owned. Oy.

In shop, I use the number on the panel and write that on the box or cover with a sharpie. For neatness you could use a label maker and stick it on cover. I also have diagrams drawn for a record of what goes where.

In the house, because of a existing framing/access issue I pulled runs from the main panel into the middle of the attic into boxes, then labeled each box with the breaker number. Circuits run out from there. Any junction boxes get circuit(s) numbers scribbled on them with a sharpie.

>I guess my next step will be to draw out my plans in a one line and get my thoughts together.
Excellent idea. Best way to save time and materials.

 

[Ray-CA]

I used two different colored outlets (orange and white) in my 4-gang boxes, to designate the different circuit(s). Colors were based on what HD had in sufficient quantity when I was at this point in the wiring.

Ray

 

[Charles (in GA)]

You can use any colors (or receptacles) you would like to in any combination you might want. Each and every one of my receptacles is labeled with the circuit breaker number that controls it. Every light switch is also labeled. I did this in my house also. Only want to have to go to the trouble once to figure out what breaker is what circuit.

Number of wires in the box is controlled by the cubic inch volume of the box under the code, and the number and gauge of wire.

I did my entire shop with EMT, it comes out much neater than PVC with a million glue joints in it, stronger too.

Charles

 

[Tscott]

Great stuff so far guys, I really appreciate it. I have not begun the pricing process on this sort of stuff yet and I was curious what kind of money I will be looking at for a shop my size (36' x 60'). I realize this is far from from exact, but was hoping you all could maybe give me an idea of what it is going to cost me to do it myself. Is it going to cost $1000 or closer to 10000$?

Tom

P.s. do the big box stores usually have the best prices on stuff like wire and conduit, or should I source a specialty trade store for my materials?