Flush-mount panel to surface-mount EMT/outlets

[OneOfEm]

I intend on sheathing the inside of my shop with plywood (for hanging options, as much as anything), and then running surface-mount electrical. The added flexibility in the future trumps looks for me. This will primarily be a woodworking shop, and the layout needs to be flexible as I work out my workflow and as my workflow changes.

As luck would have it, I picked up a 42-space Square D QO flushmount panel completely full of breakers on CL for $60.

What is the best way to transition from a flushmount panel to surface-mount EMT for multiple (all/most) circuits?

 

[kd3pc]

buy the appropriate LBs or learn to bend saddles and offsets to enter/exit the panel.

Unless you are using the top of the panel exclusively..that dumps you in to the above the truss area and you can run to the top of the joists/plates/ceiling where you want to drop down to the device box(es)..

neither way will relieve you of planning and dealing with the future..just two ways to get to the same point.

Might be cheaper, and certainly less work to just buy a surface mount panel?

bests.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

You can surface mount a flush mount panel,not a big deal

 

[OneOfEm]

You can surface mount a flush mount panel,not a big deal

If that's ok, I could just add trim around the sides to make it look better.

*Edit*

From Square D: "Indoor QO covers are available in flush or surface configurations to meet any mounting situation."

I'll just order a surface-mount cover for this panel.

 

[Aceman]

I don't see the reason to order a different cover?

The only difference is the surface mount cover flushes out with the sides of the loadcenter where the flush mount cover over hangs the sides by a little bit.

Siemens only makes one type of cover for their loadcenters, it overhangs a bit and you can use it for surface or flush mount.

 

[Marctrees]

Listen to Zmax and Ace - The only difference is the cover that does
not matter anyway for your need.

Surface mount right on the Plywood wall, and to avoid offsets use Minerellac straps. Marc

 

[Bert_]

Ordering a new cover will likely cost more than a new panel.

Like everyone else has said just surface mount what you have. Many modern panels only offer one cover for both flush and surface

 

[alfredeneuman]

To get out of a flush mounted panel to a surface mounted box, these are just the ticket...

it's known as a long bushed elbow

 

[ard]

Agree with everyone saying 'surface mount it'

Placing it in the wall, then installing 'stuff' to get the EMT onto the surface- all so you can add pipe later- seems to defeat the purpose: you'd need to hack into the wall to add a new home run (and you cant Spackle plywood, sand and paint!)