Practical Electrical Wiring-MC to Emt Connectors

[@fritzhvac]

Hey Sparky ! Brother I have been using the Snap into Method, then take my Bulldogs and Cut for Years now !!! Today I went to Home Depot and Bought me a Klien AutoClamping 53725 ! She cuts easily 3/8" flexible conduit and #10,12 ,and14 armored cables with up to 4 wires with a couple of turns of the handle ! I think she will do me just fine on the HVAC side of things ! Sparky got me the 11n1 Klien at my HVAC Parts House, got a Schrader Valve Remover in Her ! Thank You very much Sparky !!!

[@terrenceboylanjr]

Huge help from that last technique. I've been trying to figure out how to attach mc to emt on a 90 degree. Turn and you showed me how. Thanks for that.

[@ltwadley7619]

Thanks for this video. I'm a first year apprentice and this really helps me understand more EMT pipes and connectors.

[@prodson8310]

I almost never comment on anything but this is one of the most helpful videos I have ever seen. Thank you. God bless

[@electricalindustry]

Thank You!

[@KevinCoop1]

To those watching, the connector used in the beginning is probably for Romex not MC cable. If good inspector, this would not pass inspection. The conductors inside the cable are not imprinted with information as required for EMT. I think the fitting is made to connect Romex to EMT for protection where required, but you leave the sheath on it. That is why most put a box on the conduit as shown at the beginning. The last method with the coupling is absolutely violating listings and therefore NEC. Some electricians did similar to this on a large job. They got caught and cost tens of thousands of dollars to replace them all.

[@computationalerr]

And everyone is all praise about this.

[@KevinCoop1]

@@computationalerr When I used to teach electrical designers, one thing I told them was “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you can.”

[@mainelyelectric]

I've been working with a lot of MC lately A friend of mine just moved to a new commercial space and the requirement is that everything has to be in conduit or MC I don't mind working with that I kind a like it. I just had to run an three-phase aluminum 200 amp cable MC 140 feet from one side of the room to the other so that we could put a second 200 amp panel in so that we could have a lot of power on that side of the room we still have 200 amps since the main is still 200 A this is a 200 amp subpanel. It's amazing that were even getting power under heavy load because the 200 amp service has to go like 400 feet before it reaches the meter. It's a 200 amp meter three-phase but it also shares a 100 amp breaker panel in the center of that 400 feet of line about 200 feet that is powering stuff we don't own. So the place that we are renting pays for the stuff they use on our electric bill and we pay ours but it's on the same service.

[@uglytruth4467]

Thanks for posting! You are a awesome teacher. Simple sweet and to the point using good visual aids.

[@electricalindustry]

Thanks so much!

[@timpayne8004]

Thanks Very helpful to see the connectors! Out here in Chicago it's all EMT and MC!

[@LandSnipe415]

Thx. I'm a Locol 39 Stationary Engineer & work w/this sometimes. 'Course we don't install much, since that's 4r the iBEw guys, but this helps us usnderstand when there's a short or other need to trouble shoot on the spot which we deal w/all the time. I do sometimes look at the rough-in work when the''re leasing to a new tenant and buildining-out a new floor so I can see 1st hand from the Panel how everything's pup in. But, since I work Swing, this is cool to actually see how it's done. Thx.

[@iflnr978]

i learned a lot from the video. the only thing i didn't like was watching 3 minutes 40 seconds of being told what i was going to be told. i guess most people like that, i am unusual in that i just want the info i am going to be told and not that you are going to tell me what you are going to tell me. i'll preface that with i would like to know what the basic topic is, e.i rough-in elec instaltion connecting MC cable to EMT. ok got it, go. i did like the diagram of the j-box in the ceiling too. all this should take 20 seconds. thanks for taking the time to make and post the video. thank you, now i'll continue watching

[@aspjake123]

Just ran the mc and made a near ninety degree bend, a smooth arc and it worked out well. Thank you again.

[@electricalindustry]

John Lauer Your welcome,thanks for subscribing!

[@acropetal]

I don't comment very often, but this is priceless info out on the field.

[@acscolo]

I liked this video Sparky because I like working with EMT and MC.

[@marciaz31]

Very good educational video in how to use conduit .. Im new @ it and I learned a lot ..

[@farmerdave7965]

I have that very same rotary hacksaw. Works well. I have the reamer that fits on a screwdriver and I agree with you about it. Now I just use a large step bit on my drill for de-burring.

[@farmerdave7965]

And I hated being called "sparky". I rarely created sparks except that one time when I was an apprentice and I cut live romex with my brand new diagonal cutters and turned them into wire strippers by arcing notches in the cutting edges. The journeymen on that job did not let me live it down.

[@electricalindustry]

For those with experience I think the side cutter method is fine, but for others I recommend using the roto splitter tool. I know of some companies in my area that you better use the roto splitter and side cutters are not an option.

[@johnkulpowich5260]

M C. Is easy to cut. Not like the old. B X

[@electricalindustry]

@dralph1965 I found the UL listing requirements for such fittings. You are correct in the fact that it is done all the time,doesn't make it right. Any person doing electrical work should be informed of the NEC and UL requirements. I am glad you pointed this out,it is a good learning experience for all, which is why I like feedback on my videos.

[@Sal_Reborn]

Great learning just-in-time while I am remodeling my bathroom and moving EMT this helps connecting at the top with MC. Thanks a bunch for teaching so methodically.

[@Rocksolidhandyman]

Outstanding!!! Concise!!!

[@mikefox2379]

Your GRC coupling to transition is a code violation. I have seen this written up in EC&M and Electrical Contractor. Joe Tedesco did a write up on this. It's a 110.3 (B) listing and labeling violation and NEC 300.15. A galvanized ridged coupling is not listed to be used for transition, that's why they make the proper fittings. You can also reference NEC 300.15 (Fittings and connectors shall be used only with the specific wiring methods for which they are designed and listed.) Your first method using the proper transition meets the code. Good video, thanks.

[@djensen5836]

Excellent comment - complete with code references! It helps the rest of us to learn the CORRECT way to perform wiring tasks.

[@SupraRy]

Mike Fox I guess that means the code doesn't mean shit then. I have done this and it has been done thousands of times a day for many many years and has never failed an inspection .

[@mikefox2379]

D. Jensen. Enjoyed your video. Keep teaching, not enough young people are getting interested in the trade. Videos like this make kids think that might be a great and interesting way to make a living.

[@mikefox2379]

Isvtecb18c1 I don't write the codes, the NFPA and the International Code Council do. Talk to them, I gave you the articles to read.

[@SupraRy]

no i believe your siting of the code is correct, but in this situation I have never seen a failed inspection due to these conditions and materials used.

[@aspjake123]

A newbie here, thanks for showing how the parts go together.

[@electricalindustry]

John Lauer Hey John,thanks for watching & the comment!Glad it helps.

[@aspjake123]

You bet, question. Can I bend Mc cable to ninety degrees and still be in code. I would take not use boxes to get the ninety degrees.

[@aspjake123]

*do not want. To use boxes Sorry for the typo.

[@electricalindustry]

John Lauer Just use common sense when making your bends.You don't want to bend it so tight that it breaks the aluminum sheath.

[@djheatt]

I am going to do the anti or opposite of this to replace existing wires to an outlet and use the flex conduit to the outlet box to avoid drilling new holes or having to do weird bending EMT to go through existing holes to reach the outlet box and use EMT for the straight and easy bends. Took me all day to bend a 13" piece of EMT to align an existing outlet box and hole that goes through floor to crawl space.

[@SerenoOunce]

As for those bushings, general rule of thumb is if a product includes or MFG recommends such a device then that supersedes the NEC guidelines.

[@raywood8187]

Thanks, very helpful and glad I don't need to be a physicist to do wiring but there is a form of E=MC squared here.

[@wornout3499]

your a great teacher thank you you for your time. I will be back for more.

[@Sovek86]

in remodels of supermarkets, We use the second method for the stub up for the low voltage temp & defrost cables for the cooler cases. This is not only accpetable but needed as we need the cases up ASAP. Bending pipe for a run of 8 cables for 8 sepsrate cases takes too long

[@vince6829]

Thank you for your demonstration. Much appreciated. Quick question- is there an EMT to NM cable connector?

[@electricalindustry]

@fritzhvac I love buying new cool tools. It's really good to here from you guys when things are going well for you! It is refreshing to see the excitement in your words.

[@alex198994]

why even bother with the emt to begin with in commercial wiring its really common to simply land the mc right to the box with a standard mc connector

[@Alex-jo2oi]

looks nicer.

[@imark7777777]

Well that's an interesting tool I didn't know existed. Now I want my self one of those reamers with screwdrivers. I having used an MC splitter and also didn't have access to it since it was borrowed, having to do it the old way and yeah it's way easier and way faster and way nicer.

[@miltonnegron65]

Great video !!!

[@zippythechicken]

why not run the MC down to the switch box and save yourself the cost and effort.. are you saying this is for exposed conduit?

[@jwp09]

Sometimes the drywallers want to get in/out as fast as possible. I've used this method to complete the electrical after drywall is on and since there's drop ceiling we can have access from above

[@motube2389]

What size of MC anti short bushing you have used ? It looks like there are bunch of different sizes out there

[@billyreed1116]

Thanks. You filled in some gaps I had.

[@electricalindustry]

You can use mc for 220v Exit lights should be fed from the ckt feeding the area lighting in which the sign is located. You can hang a light on a fire wall. You need to see what the EE is specifying for that particular project.

[@cdawg42]

I like using the 4sq box at the top method to allow for future add-ons like another switch in the box or a receptacle and use the half in emt as a chase down.

[@700up700up]

would it be acceptable to use romex in place of MC with this setup or would you need to do something differently?

[@electricalindustry]

I use SmatDraw v9.0 right now however I have been checking out a lot of other programs through the try before you buy deals and haven't really found a all around program I like. Sparky

[@jasason10]

Thanks a lot for the video! I agree it is a lot faster.....And I think I'll start using them. But it is so weird I've been in the trade for about 15 yrs. and have never seen, come across or used one in the field?

[@mickey533]

Thanks for the tip

[@electricalindustry]

You bet, thanks for watching!

[@electricalindustry]

@RealDealSER Thanks for your comment! Yep took a look at those pictures alright, its a common problem around the world.

[@SixxKicks]

We call those MC to EMT connectors Pipe to Flex connectors. To go from EMT to BX. Cheers

[@brusew86]

I believe you will find that that connector is stated by the manufacturer to be a EMT to NM connector so as used here you are looking at a violation of 110.3(B). Red heads are required for AC cable but not for MC, but I use them. The problem with these combination connectors is they do not have a shoulder to hold in the red head so it is likely to just fall off. I put some tape around the end to hold the redhead in, but make sure to insert the tape past the clamp so the sheath is bonded

[@rseabrease]

Sparky, what make and model EMT reamer did you use? I would like to purchase one.

[@electricalindustry]

I've had it a long time so I'm thinking it is a Klein. #85191 I use a Klein #85091 now that fits in your drill.

[@rseabrease]

Sparky, I just finished reading that the NEC does not allow the MC wires to be run through conduit without the outer metal cladding. Do you think it is safe to run just the wires from the MC cable through the conduit? Thank you so much for all of the help.

[@MrCinimod93]

my uncle has striped mc with a hack saw for 30 years and i do believe that anti short busings are code hear in nova Scotia

[@johnhanson974]

That EMT to MC connector, can it also be used for EMT to romex?

[@electricalindustry]

@Megawatts37 First off to be clear I use and require my guys to use "redheads". With that being said I looked up references: 320.40 refers to AC cable and does specifie the use of insulators or equivalent. 330.40 refers MC cable and to use fittings listed for such use. No mention of insulators. I checked some of the mfgs websites and most of the fittings fall under the "listed use" On another note 1 mfg says under 333.9 you must use anti-shorts????? Just my findings---

[@electricalindustry]

Did you see my reply to lusstarwind? I do agree that the terminology used through out the us and canada vary.

[@ابنالعمده-و6ت]

thank you; exactly what I was looking for

[@alfredofuentes8959]

Why using EMT when you can connect the mc to the jbox..just a curiosity..unless it is going to be exposed to damage??

[@J215132]

thanks for the info sir,have a good day.

[@marciaz31]

Oh I just subscribed also ..Thank you for taking the time to do the videos ..

[@electricalindustry]

@Rush8101 I don't wear my wedding band most of the time when at work. I do wear a watch that is plastic case w/a cloth wrist strap. I'll put your request on the list for a future video! Thanks for your comments! Sparky

[@balor7]

I started 22 years ago and have not heard anyone call it Bx in the past 10. Maybe in residential or maintenance they do but in commercial and industrial work its MC.

[@dragonprototype3883]

Can u put a GFCI any where on the circuit. I do know it's supposed to go on the first circuit to protect all . But is it ok to put extra

[@electricalindustry]

When installing receptacles on the load side of a GFI receptacle it is not necessary to add additional GFI outlets. Can be put anywhere in the circuit, just depends on what you need to be protected downstream.

[@electricalindustry]

@89runner GREAT-now I gotta go and get one!

[@electricalindustry]

@gswimfrk Technically your not allowed to run romex in conduit but in certain conditions limited use is allowed.

[@dave1182a]

I mite be wrong but i thought exit/emergency lighting has to be on its own dedicated circuit?

[@ysfoz5684]

Why not running the MC cable directly to the electrical box? What is the purpose of going from MC to EMT?

[@electricalindustry]

U Bet, thanks for watching my videos.

[@J215132]

mr sparky,can u run mc cable straight to 220 v wall outlet,does every exit light needs to have its own circuit or can it feed from one to other exit lights?can mc cable that is connected to j box mounted on a firewall ceiling feeding light fixture,can it be expose on finished firewall ceiling?is the switch 48 inc from floor,all questions is for commercial building,thanks.

[@leo6251976]

Great videos!!! Thanks man

[@dragoljubkolar1852]

BX was originally manufactured by the Benfield company in the Bronx. I read that there are to possible reason why B.X. is called as such. 1 Benfield experimental 2 Bronx experimental....As an anecdote I remember my Industrial electric shop teacher (First class old timer fond of calling us in the shop Junior Jackasses) telling us that he will give us a passing grade for the marking period if we came up with the answer. None of us could even after going to the local supply houses.I stumbled on the answer in a text book 10 years after my teacher passed away.

[@garbo8962]

Was told at an IAEI continuing education class that term BX came from it was the second type of cable they experimented with. Wish they would outlaw type AC ( BX ) cable and just make everyone use far superior type MC cable. For at least the last 35 years in !y area you are not allowed to use BX in commercial builidings.

[@electricalindustry]

@gswimfrk A far as code is concerned I couldn't find an exact article but some say the derating rule comes into play. Here is the code section that references such applications 552.48 that you may want to look at.

[@craig9196]

Excuse my ignorance but is it not possible to just wire the MC cable back to the joint box? i mean, why go through the trouble of joining the MC cable to EMT and then bring that back to the joint box???

[@JulesBartow]

Typically MC allowed above drop ceiling grid where not visible whereas below ceiling EMT often required for aesthetics or as a power pole to newly lighted or interactive TV retail display shelving.

[@wlipman]

Although MC looks like BX, it's not. If you've done any work with BX, you know that there's a bonding strip inside that gets pushed over the red head, and wound around the armour a couple of times. MC does not have have the bonding strip, because unlike BX (AC) which is classified as cable by the NEC, MC is classified as conduit by the NEC. That's the reason there's an MC to EMT connector.

[@johnkulpowich5260]

You don't need to rap the bonding wire

[@johnkulpowich5260]

No need to rap. Bonding wire

[@ariip]

Usually mc box connectors have a shoulder inside with a hole for the wire to pass so the bushing does not fall out. Don't they have a emt to mc connector with the same kind of shoulder inside. I would have thought this emt connector you have is designed for romex instead. I guess actually I have not see one that has a shoulder, but it makes sense that they should. The problem is with the one you used first, the emt to mc, has nothing that will stop the bushing from falling into the emt with the wire. The second way would they be better if you are using an actual box mc connector with the shoulder. Just more parts which will cost more.

[@LMHS63]

"We" use MC cable on the East Coast, it's not AC or BX it's Metal Clad, no paper or "bond" wire like AC. MC has a separate Green conductor and Mylar tape surounding the conductors in the cable armor. MC comes in many put ups, 3, 4, 5, 6, conductor. MC cable was always the choice for wiring Isolated Ground outlets used for DPE wiring in Data Centers and offices. We have wired large and small buildings using MC only, no EMT unless spec'd. MC Lite is great for above dropped ceilings too.

[@ibeleaf]

i listen to adam carollas home improvement podcast and he says bx, that guy is California born and raised, i guess it's a regional term wherever sparky is.

[@SCOTTYD2031]

Terrific, thanks

[@71160000]

In my area it's city code that requires the anti short. Note, for the last 25 years or so most walls are roughed in with bx all the way to the wall boxes. Only time you'd use pipe is due to poured walls or switch boxes that contain multiple circuits and you run a larger pipe to hold them all. I've never seen bx to emt. It truly doesn't make any sense to strip six or eight feet of armour to save a box or to avoid running bx down the wall.

[@michaelcraft2664]

Sparky, I recently built a 40 foot X 40 foot pole barn, and am now in the processing of deciding how to wire it. A lot of folks around here use NM, but I do not want to use it. I am concerned about rodents chewing through the outer jacket. So I have decided to use MC. (I recently purchased a 250 roll of MC 12-2. Will be starting next week.) So I watched this video, and it’s very informative. But I have a (possibly dumb) question: why not just run the MC directly to the receptacles? Why use EMT at all? I wasn’t planning on using any EMT - I was just planning on running MC everywhere. But perhaps there’s a good reason to do what you did in the video. Just curious what that might be. Thanks

[@ljsmith99]

FYI...MC or AC cable is not rated for damp locations, which is what an open 'pole barn' might be considered. Use EMT with proper fittings, OR Coated MC cable (i.e. TECK).

[@johnkulpowich5260]

Electric is not a hobby

[@garbo8962]

Best practice for any armored cable is to cut the admire end at a 45 degree angle & spend 2 seconds to I stall anti short bushings. Yes they are not required by NEC but the large hospital that I retired from it was mandatory to use anti short bhshings.

[@matthewmillard9775]

I had to replace a light fixture, when replacing it i noticed the wire was a 14 gauge afc flex electrical wire. But my problem is that the wire looks like extension cord wire, the lead and neutral consists of several thin strands of wire. The only time I have ever seen wire like this was on an extension cord, that's why I used an extension cord as reference. I'm not sure how I feel about that. what is your thoughts? Since the wire is manufactured in aluminum flex, could there be another intended use for this wire. I was told that years ago this wire was used in homes, and that the aluminum shielding was the ground.

[@majorintherepublick5862]

Bushings are code, you must at all times protect wire from becoming damaged, bushings are required at all openings.

[@tdude131]

Wrong, there is no requirement on mc cable

[@tulio3571]

i want to put a light outside my house , it will be outdoor ,can i use all mc ? thank you

[@electricalindustry]

This was a demonstration on converting mc to emt. Really only one of many ways to provided power to a switch,this being one that has options for future changes by having a box mounted above the header plate. It is ok to rum mc straight to the switch box.

[@2424jhg]

mc wire isn't rated to be in emt

[@electricalindustry]

@@2424jhg What will happen to it?

[@2424jhg]

Electrical Industry Network I don’t know but inspectors are always pulling that kind of thing.

[@mainelyelectric]

I also just put in a brand-new set of LED lights in our walk-in cooler in the Space we rent put three light sockets and ran MC on the ceiling.

[@josephdiggs3237]

Nice video. Are you using ideal mc cable cutter?

[@electricalindustry]

Thanks,yes that is the Ideal mc splitter.

[@electriman77]

Hey SP what program do you use to make your cad diagrams?

[@vinny1995]

I still don't understand why you need to have an EMT pipe to the box. Why not run the MC straight to the box?

[@RT060789]

Thanks for the tutorial.

[@Xyrium]

Everytime I see that EMT to MC connector, I fail to understand how the NEC doesn't consider the MC side clamp a Romex clamp.

[@ibeleaf]

i was taught to do what that guy said, snap it, but you dont unwind it, you fold it over the opposite way and a loop comes up that you can easily cut with sidecutters... 1 1/4" flex and bigger youll need a hacksaw though

[@electricalindustry]

Thanks,glad it helped.

[@neckbont]

Great video Sparky! I have a question. Is there a restriction for the length of MC you can run to a light fixture? I have about a 10 foot run I need. thanks.

[@mellowxfred8420]

kornsnap 6 feet

[@wilfordwhite1964]

Ithere is a restriction on fmc, tthere is a restriction on fmc, empty flexible conduit that you fill but neither ac or mc have length restrictions. 6' for fmc as far as i know...

[@isaiahtorrez7611]

Why don’t you just use the remer to tighten screws? There is a Flathead on the end

[@indigo4fox]

Some inspectors in California they not let use a hacksaw on MC!!! I Am very good,using the rotor split and I really like it, that 's fast and safety!!!

[@commercialelectrician133]

what city and state are you located

[@LMHS63]

That is a combo connector, MC or BX,...look at the end it's closed so the "red hat" bushing used with armored cable won't fall out. RMX connectors are open on the bitter end. Each 250' coil of AC or MC comes with a bag of bushings they must according to U.L. and the N.E.C be used as a complete wiring method. By the way, it's better to leave the lock ring on as the cable twist tends to loosen the combo connectors over time..

[@dragoljubkolar1852]

By the way MC cable does not require an anti short bushing. There is no code that requires it on MC cable. MC connectors are by default designed to prevent shorts if properly cut.I investigated this by reading manufacture reports and whitepapers. The only reason your receive the anti short bushings is a courtesy from the manufactures. I haven't used Anti shorts since I found that out and have a very good track record on not having shorts. Maybe 5 shorts in ten years caused by lapses in inproperley stipping the jackets. I've made many thousands of MC terminations in that span

[@charlesdiamond1904]

Dragoljub Kolar i use them anyway but only if they come with it, mostly just to pacify some people that are picky SOBs and i dealt with my fair share of them, or if i been requested to use them, and its not like its hard to do anyway, but i agree they are definitely not required or necessary

[@GalaXy808]

Wow it's a good good help

[@cliffgrexton3760]

love the MC splitter what make is it and how do I get one . we call MC DX in canada

[@cliffgrexton3760]

sorry BX

[@flgator311]

What if you just wanted to go right into the box?

[@DillysADV]

KLIEN Tools are the best any way!

[@electricalindustry]

@MrCinimod93 I have used many different tools to do this but I require all helpers and apprentices use a MC splitter.

[@MasterSparkEE]

Using your side cutters to 'trim any sharp points' will never work properly. I've seen it done and had to fix the shorts later. Please use the proper tool.

[@dennisqwertyuiop]

is that code to have emt inside wall ? why cant you rum mc direct to switch box

[@alext9067]

what's the dif between MC and BX? Are anti-short fittings available separately?

[@TheChipmunk2008]

BX is a trade name of one manufacturer of MC I believe (kinda like 'romex' is used for all plastic sheathed indoor cable in the US)

[@jasmany19]

"BX" is a trade name for Armored Clad cable. Armored clad includes an aluminum wire which bonds the entire metal sheathing. MC cable does include the aluminum wire and you must use the included green conductor for grounding purposes.

[@Soandsoguy]

​@@jasmany19*does NOT