Should I use FMC or EMT?

[Family Man]

Hello,
New to the site and love it!
I just had a 24x30 steel garage built and want to wire it up for storage and a workshop. I will be a 100amp service and want to know if it would be ok to use FMC instead of EMT? Here are the pictures of the building.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=1754

 

[PT Doc]

I was faced with similar dilemma and went with fmc. Emt is quite heavy and I was running across wall, up wall, across ceiling and down post. I ran 35' of fmc with 3 wires and then just unrolled off my shoulder as I went along. Fairly easy. It would be easy to take down and run another wire if needed.

If you running just along the wall then emt would work ok since it would be easier to support.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

It will not look as nice as EMT

It might cost more (the FMC), even if you factor in the cost of a bender and wasted EMT, don't know for sure on this, you'll have to price out everything. End fittings are probably more expensive too (for FMC).

As far as making a code case against it...................

348.12 Uses Not Permitted. FMC shall not be used in the
following:
(1) In wet locations
(2) In hoistways, other than as permitted in 620.21(A)(1)
(3) In storage battery rooms
(4) In any hazardous (classified) location except as permitted
by other articles in this Code
(5) Where exposed to materials having a deteriorating effect
on the installed conductors, such as oil or gasoline
(6) Underground or embedded in poured concrete or aggregate
(7) Where subject to physical damage

A co-worker wired his detached shop/garage with BX/AC armored cable with the wires manufactured in it.

If you decide to bend the EMT, plan on wasting a few sticks learning. Here is the best info I have found on bending EMT.

http://www.cefga.org/documents/BendingRaceways.pdf

Charles

 

[buzz4041]

EMT is the way to go in my opinion. Much more professional look.

 

[Family Man]

I was faced with similar dilemma and went with fmc. Emt is quite heavy and I was running across wall, up wall, across ceiling and down post. I ran 35' of fmc with 3 wires and then just unrolled off my shoulder as I went along. Fairly easy. It would be easy to take down and run another wire if needed.

If you running just along the wall then emt would work ok since it would be easier to support.

PT Doc do you have any photos of the installation? I want to see the difference in the look. Charles, that looks great! I don't feel mine would look quite so nice.

 

[Family Man]

I also think EMT would look better but I am concerned with the the ease of installation with the florescent lights at 15' high.

I am also planning on using 1 1/2" close cell spray insulation on the walls and roof. Can this be sprayed over FMC and EMT?

 

[hh76]

I also think EMT would look better but I am concerned with the the ease of installation with the florescent lights at 15' high.QUOTE]

I think emt is easier to hang. With flex you have to support it so often that you will be constantly moving your ladder.

 

[Aceman]

I also think EMT would look better but I am concerned with the the ease of installation with the florescent lights at 15' high.

I am also planning on using 1 1/2" close cell spray insulation on the walls and roof. Can this be sprayed over FMC and EMT?

I'd run pipe myself, foaming over it doesn't matter. We wire onion/potato sheds and they spray foam the entire building.

MC cable would be the next best option in my opinion but it needs to be protected. If it was buried below spray foam I'd say you're alright. I wouldn't leave any of it exposed below 8 feet, above that it doesn't matter.

Whatever you do, make sure you don't bury any boxes behind foam. You need to be able to remove the covers after you're done insulating.

 

[Family Man]

Ok, after reading these suggestions and doing some more research I am going to go with the EMT. Thank you all for your input!

 

[cderalow]

It will not look as nice as EMT

It might cost more (the FMC), even if you factor in the cost of a bender and wasted EMT, don't know for sure on this, you'll have to price out everything. End fittings are probably more expensive too (for FMC).

As far as making a code case against it...................



A co-worker wired his detached shop/garage with BX/AC armored cable with the wires manufactured in it.

If you decide to bend the EMT, plan on wasting a few sticks learning. Here is the best info I have found on bending EMT.

http://www.cefga.org/documents/BendingRaceways.pdf

Charles

images

your work is **** retentively beautiful

 

[Family Man]

Here are the pictures of the completed electrical. Added a 100amp sub panel and pulled the pool and the A/C off the main panel to give me more room.
7 quad outlets, 2 exterior weatherproof outlets, 2- 8ft florescents, and a 220 plug for the RV.
Thank you for the advice on going with EMT. It looks great!

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=1754

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Looks like you did a nice job. The conduit is hard to see next to the galvanized structure, but you did a neat job of it.

Charles

 

[Family Man]

Looks like you did a nice job. The conduit is hard to see next to the galvanized structure, but you did a neat job of it.

Charles

Thanks Charles. After seeing your work that means a lot! Since I don't have much experience as an electrician, I did not feel comfortable running the sub panel (the main panel is on the other side of the house) on my own. I did get the help of a friend who is a licensed electrician. I learned a lot and if I ever need to add to what I have I could definitely do it myself.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

That looks great. The EMT is hidden in plain sight. Nice work!

 

[Family Man]

That looks great. The EMT is hidden in plain sight. Nice work!

Thank You!