Can you strap off FMC or MC to EMT using tie wire

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Smart $

Esteemed Member
Location
Ohio
when supporting FMC or MC, can you tie off to EMT or RMC using tie wire
300.11...

(B) Raceways Used as Means of Support. Raceways
shall be used only as a means of support for other raceways,
cables, or nonelectrical equipment under any of the
following conditions:
(1) Where the raceway or means of support is identified for
the purpose
(2) Where the raceway contains power supply conductors
for electrically controlled equipment and is used to support
Class 2 circuit conductors or cables that are solely
for the purpose of connection to the equipment control
circuits
(3) Where the raceway is used to support boxes or conduit
bodies in accordance with 314.23 or to support luminaires
in accordance with 410.36(E)
 
I am no expert but the way i understand it that if your pipe run is supported in more places then the min requirements due to mounting boxes and pull cans etc. you can tie wire FMC and MC to emt I would think if your going to stap it like that you have chosen a path for your home runs and you have built it in a way that you have planned for the extra weight.If you have a pipe run that just runs from point a to point b with min strapping you can not strap to it.
 

Smart $

Esteemed Member
Location
Ohio
I am no expert but the way i understand it that if your pipe run is supported in more places then the min requirements due to mounting boxes and pull cans etc. you can tie wire FMC and MC to emt I would think if your going to stap it like that you have chosen a path for your home runs and you have built it in a way that you have planned for the extra weight.If you have a pipe run that just runs from point a to point b with min strapping you can not strap to it.
Has to qualify under 300.11(B)(1), (2), or (3). Doesn't matter how you support the intended supporting raceway.
 

GoldDigger

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Placerville, CA, USA
Occupation
Retired PV System Designer
Has to qualify under 300.11(B)(1), (2), or (3). Doesn't matter how you support the intended supporting raceway.
Now if you hang EMT or rigid without any plans or even means to put conductors into it, just so it can support other wires, is it still a raceway for these purposes?
 

kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
Now if you hang EMT or rigid without any plans or even means to put conductors into it, just so it can support other wires, is it still a raceway for these purposes?
I say no. It may not even be a complete raceway from enclosure to enclosure if used in this manner, it is just steel tubing that happens to be listed to be used as a raceway - if installed per the applicable codes for that raceway.

But if you want to get into a disagreement with some that are too hung up on listing - I guess it is not listed for that purpose. :roll:

Dare I say any more about a few items that are pet peeves for me that some (a local inspector included) say you can not use for certain purposes because the item is not listed for that purpose, though the code does not require a listed item to serve the purpose:angel:
 

kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
I am no expert but the way i understand it that if your pipe run is supported in more places then the min requirements due to mounting boxes and pull cans etc. you can tie wire FMC and MC to emt I would think if your going to stap it like that you have chosen a path for your home runs and you have built it in a way that you have planned for the extra weight.If you have a pipe run that just runs from point a to point b with min strapping you can not strap to it.

Sorry, but I have to agree with Smart$, read the section he posted carefully, the raceway needs to be identified for the purpose, or it could support a class 2 control circuit that is associated with the equipment supplied by the raceway, or it can support luminaires if additional mentioned requirements are met.

Now a unistrut rack or other similar support system that is supporting electrical raceways could also support other items, but those items would have to be supported by the strut and not from the raceways.
 

Smart $

Esteemed Member
Location
Ohio
Now if you hang EMT or rigid without any plans or even means to put conductors into it, just so it can support other wires, is it still a raceway for these purposes?
No. Such EMT or RMC can be used for supporting cables and raceways externally, just the same as it can be used to support cables (and other raceways ??? :blink:) internally.
 
Last edited:

Fulthrotl

~Autocorrect is My Worst Enema.~
I say no. It may not even be a complete raceway from enclosure to enclosure if used in this manner, it is just steel tubing that happens to be listed to be used as a raceway - if installed per the applicable codes for that raceway.

But if you want to get into a disagreement with some that are too hung up on listing - I guess it is not listed for that purpose. :roll:

Dare I say any more about a few items that are pet peeves for me that some (a local inspector included) say you can not use for certain purposes because the item is not listed for that purpose, though the code does not require a listed item to serve the purpose:angel:

i've used GRC as a cable support under computer floors, where you have bundles of stuff that you want to keep neat.
put 12" ty raps every foot, taped in place, and lace up the entire bundle, then tighten everything up nice and tidy.

it's not GRC, it's now schedule 40 pipe that happens to make a nice support for something. it's not a raceway if there isn't anything inside of it.
 

kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
i've used GRC as a cable support under computer floors, where you have bundles of stuff that you want to keep neat.
put 12" ty raps every foot, taped in place, and lace up the entire bundle, then tighten everything up nice and tidy.

it's not GRC, it's now schedule 40 pipe that happens to make a nice support for something. it's not a raceway if there isn't anything inside of it.
I agree, but some people, that think they are the listing police, would still say it is only listed for use as a raceway:sick:
 

plumb bob

Member
I wonder how many raceways are actually identified to be used as a support for another raceway thus meeting exception one. I see a lot of emt strapped to emt on older installs in my area. I was always under the impression it was a violation but maybe thinwall conduit is listed or identified for such. :?


edit for spelling
 

kwired

Electron manager
Location
NE Nebraska
I wonder how many raceways are actually identified to be used as a support for another raceway thus meeting exception one. I see a lot of emt strapped to emt on older installs in my area. I was always under the impression it was a violation but maybe thinwall conduit is listed or identified for such. :?


edit for spelling

My guess is you would have to look into manufacturer information. One brand may very well be identified as suitable, but the next one is not. How many people go to a supply house and specify what brand of conduit they want though, you usually get whatever they happen to have, and what they do have probably varies at times depending on purchasing agreements more than anything.
 
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