Illinois EMT woes...

muda7676

I live in Illinois, and I have to run metal conduit in my basement. So I have all this half inch conduit and i just want to put a few outlets in. My question is do I have to run it through the studs (it would be a pain in the a** to not only drill all the holes but muscle it through every stud) or can i run it behind the studs?

Does it have to be connected to the stud or the foundation wall?

If its connected to the stud, how? How do I attach it to the back of the stud? Or is it sufficient for it just to be connected by the boxes and connectors?

Here are some pics.

http://i.imgur.com/W3se1.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/djvqV.jpg

Appreciate any input...

jlmran

Illinois requires conduit?

nap

at least Chicago does. Not sure how far out from Chicago it extends though.

I don't see any reason you couldn't run it on the wall.

Drilling holes with the proper tool really isn't a big deal though.

and muscle it in? Heck no. What do you think they make a hacksaw and couplings for?

gregzoll

Lake county requires it. When they did my BIL's outbuilding, and had a switch put in at the house to turn off the porch light at the building, they just used sections of EMT & the collar piece to connect the two sections in the wall by the Patio door going out.

gregzoll

Crook and the collar counties do. Mostly started as a union way to make more money, and to keep the home owners up there from doing their own work. Still has not stopped home owners, but rumor is, if you make large purchases of electrical materials, or plumbing stuff, the code office sends you a nasty letter per doing un-permitted work. Always joke with the BIL that he did not drop enough cash on the ground when they built his basement for the outbuilding, which still leaks water, even though the sub's have been out there numerous times to "fix" it.

nap

It was because of the paranoia induced because of Mrs. O'Leary's cow. It had nothing to do with union guys.

kbsparky

Looks like there is sufficient room behind those studs for the conduit to fit.

I'd strap it to the block wall -- you have to strap it within 3 feet of each box.

You could install a block between 2 studs, and mount your outlet box in the middle. That would make it much easier to bend your conduit, and offset into the box from behind the studs. Then install a mud ring, and you will be flush with the finished wall.

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rselectric1

Most areas around Chicago, and the city itself require EMT (conduit). From looking at your pictures, I would run it behind the studs since you have so much room. It looks like you might have enough room to use nail straps if you angle the straps just right and are careful with the hammer. (Gently)

Otherwise anchor them to the wall.

If you decide to drill them, rent a Milwaukee Right Angle drill with a 1" nail eater bit. It will make the drilling very easy.

Good Luck