There is a little debate at work about the wording of the code on this issue. In 358.30(A) it says "other tubing terminations" shall be securly fastened within 3 ft. One of my fellow workers insists this means every coupling. While most of agree this is good practice to secure the pipe close to a coupling if practical, we feel the code is referring to a connector in this instance. Any feedback on this would be great. Thank you in advance.

358.30(A) securely fastened. emt shall be securely fastened in place at least every 3 m (10 ft.) in assition, each emt run between termination points shall be securely fastened within 900 mm (3 ft.) of each outlet box, junction, box, device box, cabinet, conduit body, or other tubing termination.

ok i think they are reading to hard into "other" forgetting the word "termination" within 3 ft of termination and certainly couplings are not terminating but merely continuing until one does terminate.

imho

h20

I agree with h20, a coupling is not a termination.

If couplings were to be included, the word "coupling" could have been in the article.

Check the link below for anothers opinion.
http://www.mikeholt.com/reprint_request.php?url=http://www.mikeholt.com/graphics/348-13.gif

Roger

I had this same misconception and it stems from the fact the code was changed.

The section used to actually say "fitting" a coupling is definitely a fitting.

1990 NEC

This may or not be the same wording in the 1993 NEC I do not have a 1993 NEC available.

Personally I find the change to be in the wrong direction, IMO a support should be required within 3' of a EMT coupling.



[This message has been edited by iwire (edited 09-03-2005).]