EMT - UL Heads Up [RE-wrenches]

[Matt Lafferty]

All:

Ludicrosity never ends... Or is it Progress?  Isn't Lunacy one brain
cell beyond Geanyus? 

Diatribe aside... News Flash!  (News to me anyway!)

I got word this morning that a PV installation in San Diego was shot
down on inspection for not using Listed Raintight EMT fittings...
Thinking that somebody had their wires crossed, I requested more info...
Turns out UL issued a notice to EMT fitting manufacturers in 2002 that
the testing standard for listing such fittings was going to become more
stringent.

As of November 13, 2003, only one manufacturer had successfully complied
with the new standard.  Bridgeport Series 250 & 260 with the "RT" suffix
behind the part number.  At that time, and according to Bridgeport's
website, only 1/2, 3/4, and 1" sizes were listed.  According to UL
Category FKAV (Link in the UL notice page.... URL too long to paste
here...), trade sizes from 3/8 - 4" are covered under the category, so I
don't know what, when, if... Regarding anything bigger than 1-1/4"... I
wonder if the IBEW knows about this for all their Gubment Cheese
jobs.... Hmmmmmm  

Anyway, somebody got caught by a Building Department and will have to
disassemble the installation to fix it... I was told that the installer
was having a difficult time finding the fittings... Couplings in
particular, I believe...

Following are some links that might help... Hopefully before anybody
else has to rip out their work... Do what you will with this info...
Just passing the word along!  Please don't shoot the messenger!  Oh, one
more thing... Don't tell your local inspectors about this until after
you've found and started using "Listed for Wet Location" stuff... Then
you can sit back and watch the local fur fly, if you like doing that
sort of thing... In which case I'd have to call you a Snitch! 

One Note of Caution.... Just because it says Bridgeport and 250 or 260
doesn't mean it's Raintight!  It must have the "RT" suffix behind it.
>From the B-Port website, apparently they have added an additional
sealing ring that is installed between the end of the conduit and the
split compression ring that we all know and love.... They have also
added an external knockout gasket that seals between the enclosure and
the fitting.  Sounds like the price of a good fitting is going up!

UL Notice (November 13, 2003 - No update since found...):
http://www.ul.com/regulators/raintight.html

Bridgeport Raintight EMT Fittings Page:
http://www.bptfittings.com/catalog/250-RT2.shtml

Bridgeport Sales Rep Page (If your supplier doesn't carry B-Port, call
the appropriate Sales Rep for your area and request a list of Stocking
Distributors for B-Port EMT Fittings local to your area):
http://www.bptfittings.com/rep/

Retirement is looking better and better all the time!

Matt Lafferty
mlafferty at universalenergies.com
(916) 422-9772 Office
(916) 914-2247 Fax
(916) 628-7694 Cell
www.universalenergies.com

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