Well, again I have a question that the NEC code book seems pretty vague on. I’m looking at Article 348 and 370 – on running conduit.

What I’m doing is wiring my “pole barn” (see prev. posts & great ansrs/help on the “branch ckt” and the grounding”). The barn has what they call “girts” … these are the 2x6’s that run horizontally and are fastened to the “poles” (which are really laminated 6x6’s). Then the skin – the metal walls – is screwed to the girts from the outside. I’m putting outlets about every 8’ around the inside of the thing – with a metal duplex box screwed to the top of the girts. The conduit fits nicely into the 1 ½” space behind the pole.

The question; can the (1/2”) EMT just sit there … (an 8’ piece sure LOOKS fine – not real “wobbly” – suspended between the connectors on the ends of 2 boxes) … or do I need to bend it so it sits ON the 2x6 and then attach it with a strap thingy? If the Code requires attachment, how far can it span?

Then the overhead; The trusses are on 8’ centers. Can I span that 8’ (it’s 10’ above the floor), or does the run need to follow a wall and then go out to the ceiling box?

Thanks. J

Article 348 of the 2005 NEC Edition is for Flexible Metal Conduit,and Article 370 is for Cablebus.

Neither is allowed to apply to EMT conduit.

Which code edition are you using? The 2005 should be in effect in most areas.

You should be looking at Article 358 Electrical Metallic Tubing: Type EMT.

In Article 358, you will find Section 358.30, EMT needs to be securely supported no more than 3 feet away form each outlet, box, junction box, device box, etc, and no more than every 10 feet from that point on.

See how this works for your situation.