EMT conduit installation
Metal tubing installed to protect cable in commercial and industrial spaces.
- Runs laid out with the cabling plan
- Supported and secured along the route, per NEC Article 358
Pathways · MA, NH & RI
EMT Conduit Installation for Network Cabling
EMT (electrical metallic tubing) is thin-walled steel conduit that protects cable where it would otherwise be exposed. Accutech Communications installs, bends, repairs and replaces EMT for data and voice cabling in commercial and industrial spaces across Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
When to use EMT
Where EMT conduit makes sense for cabling
Most office cabling runs hidden above a ceiling. EMT is for the runs that can't be hidden, or that need more protection than cable alone.
EMT shields cable from impact, moisture and rodents, and its zinc coating (galvanization) resists corrosion, so it suits damp areas as well as dry ones. It is lightweight and bends smoothly, which keeps the number of fittings down and gives a clean run along walls and open ceilings.
It also costs less than heavier steel conduit such as rigid metal conduit (RMC) or intermediate metal conduit (IMC), in both material and labor, which is why it is the usual choice for exposed runs in commercial buildings.
- Open ceilings and exposed structure
- Warehouses and plant floors near equipment and forklifts
- Mechanical rooms and other industrial spaces
- Wall drops where cable can't be fished inside the wall
- Runs between areas that need physical protection
Our EMT work
EMT services
EMT conduit bending
Custom bends and shapes for the space, in a range of angles and radii, made with proper conduit benders.
- Smooth bends without kinks or flattening
- Fewer couplings and connectors
Repairs and replacements
Damage and faults in an existing EMT system identified and repaired, or damaged sections replaced.
- Keeps the cable inside protected
- Restores continuity at joints and fittings
Doing it right
How we install EMT so cable can be pulled later
Five points decide whether an EMT run lasts and whether new cable can be pulled through it later.
- Bending technique. Because EMT is thin-walled, it needs conduit benders and careful technique to avoid kinks or flattening that would snag or damage cable.
- Joints and fittings. Proper connectors at every joint keep the run continuous and keep moisture out. Damp and outdoor locations need fittings rated for them.
- Support spacing. EMT has to be supported so it doesn't sag. The National Electrical Code (NEC Article 358) generally calls for a support within 3 feet of each box and at least every 10 feet along the run; check local code for your building.
- Bends between pull points. The NEC (Article 358) limits a run to 360 degrees of bends between pull points. Planning pull boxes keeps long runs pullable.
- Conduit fill. Leave room inside the conduit for the cable you are pulling now and the cable you will add later; an overfilled run is hard to pull and can damage the cable.
EMT is one of several conduit types. Rigid metal conduit (RMC) and intermediate metal conduit (IMC) are heavier and cost more; PVC conduit is common underground; flexible conduit handles short connections to equipment that moves or vibrates.
From our clients
A Medford client on not being oversold conduit
Most office cabling doesn't need conduit. One Medford, MA client chose us after other contractors tried to sell them expensive cabling or conduit they didn't need.
Most companies were trying to "oversell" us on expensive cabling or conduit that we didn't need ... After engaging them we found Accutech easy to work with, flexible and very tolerant of our changing construction schedule.
I have used data/cabling companies before, but AccuTech was by far the most accommodating and professional company I had the pleasure to work with. I needed work done quickly, and they went out of their way to fit me into their schedule. I will be using them again for all my data/cabling jobs.
What is EMT conduit?
Electrical metallic tubing: thin-walled steel tubing used to protect and route cable. It is lighter and easier to bend than rigid metal conduit (RMC).
Does network cabling need to be in conduit?
Not always. Cable hidden above a ceiling or in a wall often runs without it. Conduit is used where cable is exposed, at risk of damage, in industrial areas, or where the building or code requires it.
Can EMT be used outdoors?
Yes, with fittings rated for wet locations. EMT is rated for indoor and outdoor use, and its zinc coating resists corrosion in damp and wet areas.
Can you bend EMT to fit our space and repair what is already there?
Yes to both. We bend EMT to the angles, offsets and radii the space needs, using proper conduit benders so the tubing doesn't kink or flatten. On an existing system we find the damaged sections or faulty joints and repair or replace them, so the cable inside stays protected.
What affects the cost of EMT conduit installation?
The length of the runs, the number of bends and pull boxes, the type of space (open ceiling, warehouse, mechanical room), the fittings needed for damp or outdoor locations, and whether existing conduit needs repair. Estimates are free: call 978-579-0006.
What is the difference between EMT and innerduct?
EMT is thin-walled steel tubing for runs that need metal protection. Innerduct is a flexible tube, usually plastic, that organizes and protects fiber, often inside a larger conduit. See innerduct installation.
Request an estimate
Get exposed runs priced and planned
Estimates are free. Call the office or send the details online.
Helpful to have ready
- Where the runs go and roughly how long they are
- The kind of space: open ceiling, warehouse or mechanical room
- What cable the conduit will carry
- Any existing conduit that needs repair
- Your schedule or your contractor's