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ENT uses

CEC
6.2K views 17 replies 11 participants last post by  u2slow  
#1 ·
🇨🇦

I’m surprised at how few rules there are for ENT. I have buried it, encased it and used it in walls and attics. Now I’m thinking about using it above T-bar in commercial jobs.

My first concern is the confusion over plenum ceilings. Typically, these are small TI’s with both open and T-bar ceilings. There is a vent in the dividing wall so that would make it a plenum ceiling in my mind but the plumbers put plastic pipe up there and there is already PVC conduit and Teck cable installed by the prime EC by the time I arrive.

In terms of electrical code, I don’t see an issue. It’s an obvious time saver for one guy hanging conduit. Buying it in 10’ sticks means I’m not fighting with coils.

What do you gurus think? I don’t really care if it’s pretty and I would transition to EMT down to the panel.

Thanks. 😊
 
#4 ·
EMT comes in 10' sticks, and is just as easy as smurf tube.

I used it once, will avoid using ever again. Did not like going through holes in wood studs and constantly wanted to unravel along the length. Our fire code changed and smurf tube went the way of the dinosaurs.
 
#8 ·
EMT comes in 10' sticks, and is just as easy as smurf tube.

I used it once, will avoid using ever again. Did not like going through holes in wood studs and constantly wanted to unravel along the length. Our fire code changed and smurf tube went the way of the dinosaurs.
I never did liked smurf tube.... to me it made for a cheap and ugly looking job.
 
#9 ·
There is plenum rated ENT, but whatever you run in the ENT must also be plenum rated, which will be a show stopper for power wiring.

In a non-plenum space above ceiling tiles, it' allowed, but I'd be prepared for inspectors to hate it, and you better have every i dotted and t crossed. Look at the rules for independent support, etc.

There may be some exceptions but generally PVC is not plenum rated, it produces toxic chlorine gas when it burns (the C in PVC) and in a plenum that toxic gas will be circulated by the HVAC system which could be bad.

If the HVAC returns are ducted, the space above the ceiling is not the plenum, so you don't have to use plenum rated products. But it would be wise to make a RFI about this every single time. It's also possible the owner want the option of using the plenum for air return in the future and do not want you to use non-plenum rated cable, even if you can. Which is fine if they don't mind paying the plenum-rated premium price.

It's pretty hack IMO, I'd make sure to dot every "i" and cross every "t" if I was going to use it, 3' between supports, make sure you're following the rules for independent support wires, etc.
 
#11 ·
Is there an “FT” rating on it?

Here is what the Ontario bulletin says about it.

Background
The way Rule 12-1102 is written would not permit PVC conduit to be installed when enclosed with thermal insulation. Historically, when this rule first appeared in the code, PVC had different properties. There are other PVC conduits and tubing that do not have this restriction, such as DB2 and ENT.


Direction
Notwithstanding Rule 12-1102, ESA will permit rigid PVC conduits to be used in locations enclosed in thermal insulation. Rule 12-1104 would handle the issue of installing PVC conduit when enclosed with thermal insulation intended for use with wires and cables with a maximum operating temperature of 75 °C.
 
#12 ·
That sounds like it’s going to look like a hammered dog 💩 spaghetti factory. Jesus Christ just get some 12/2/2 mc or some home run mc at the very least. But if u do. It ipex makes ent with stab on connectors and couplings with the same strength as pvc conduit and it’s easier to pull with the way they round their edges than traditional ent
 
#13 ·
Its pretty understandable that old habits die hard and new things dont usually get a nice welcoming chance, but I think the hate for flexible conduits is kinda ridiculous. Isn’t that the same mentality that old guys had when MC hit the shelves and pipe & wire stopped dominating commercial construction?

My only issue with ENT is that I’m not 100% sure on where it is and isn’t legal. If that wasn’t the case, I’d probably use it more.

Also, @99, why don’t you want to use the coils? Too much to fight? Seems like it would be a whole lot easier to pull through without couplings.
 
#15 ·
I like using ent when I can for future chases. Or places where bending pipe would take way more time.
But every time i pull through ent it goes really good the first pull, and then i swear up and down that i should have installed pipe. I always try to get as many spools going on the first pull as i can, because after that it is a royal pita to add anything.
And i always get my help to strap it about every 2' and pull as tight as you can. Otherwise the sagging and jiggling makes it impossible to pull.