I have a question about the mae-west style conduit hanger straps that have a 1/4 x 20 bolt with a nut on it that is to hang EMT, pipe etc. There was a crew that were hanging 2 lamp fluoresent fixtures from the 1/4 x 20 screw. Then putting another nut onto it to secure the fixture chain. The mae-west they were using was also supported the pipe. Is this legal? I told them they need independent support.
Am I right? Thanks

What's a mae-west style conduit hanger?

SJT:

Are you talking about what I call a 'cowboy' strap? 1/4-20 hdwe on bottom to secure pipe, and a 'available' mounting hole at the top to secure the strap to rod, or structure.

That strap is only listed for pipe support IMHO.

As to supporting a luminaire from a raceway that is used for wiring, that's a 'no-no', unless the raceway is specifically listed for support. (ie: strut assembly, vs EMT)

John,
You got the correct strap. It's called diffrent names. I look at it the same way. I had told them the clamp is part of the EMT, which you cannot use to supprt the fixture. I'll stick to my guns on this one. I want to see another method to hang the lights.
Thanks

I don’t believe EMT supports are required to be listed like fittings are, but if they happen to be, then I agree that it would most likely be a violation of the listing.
I’m not sure the definition of a Fitting in Art. 100, could be stretched to include support straps and hangers though.
Even so, I would think that 110.3[A] 1, 2 and 8 should probably be applicable as well as possibly 358.12[5].

Kjay:

Perhaps, I used an incorrect term 'listed'. Yes, 110.3 etc. could be cited but I may have a hard time finding 'instructions' within a box of straps, without doing a lot of Google type research. From field experience, and common sense neither of which are within the NEC, is what I based my above comments on. In the event that someone requested an Article for a rejection citing, IMHO 110.3 comes to mind without cracking the book.

SJT.,

If you don't mind if you can fill me in about the 1/4X20 bolt and how long is that bolt is secured and what kind of wall or surface it is mounted.

Normally I rather have the conduit straps seperated from the luminaire supports it kinda boil down to the common sense.

Merci.
Marc