Garage receptacle on an EMT run
What's wrong here?
- The EMT is not strapped within 3 ft of the box
- The EMT is not strapped at every stud it crosses
- EMT is not permitted exposed in a dwelling garage
- Nothing. This installation is compliant
Show the answer and the code reference
The answer
The EMT run is not securely fastened within 3 ft of the receptacle box; the nearest strap is five stud bays (about 6-1/2 ft) away.
Correct choice: 1. The EMT is not strapped within 3 ft of the box
358.30(A) requires EMT to be securely fastened at least every 10 ft and also within 3 ft of each outlet box, junction box, device box, cabinet, conduit body, or other tubing termination. Here the first strap is five 16 in. stud bays (about 6-1/2 ft) from the box. Exception No. 1 stretches the 3 ft to 5 ft only where structural members do not readily permit fastening, and open studs are right next to the box, so it does not apply; 6-1/2 ft would exceed 5 ft anyway. Without a strap near the box, any bump to the tubing levers on the connector and the box, loosening the connector and the box mounting and breaking the raceway's continuity as an equipment grounding conductor.
How to fix it
Add a one-hole or two-hole strap on the first stud next to the box (within 3 ft of the connector), then keep straps no more than 10 ft apart along the rest of the run.
Code references
NEC 2023 358.30(A) — Securely Fastened
EMT shall be securely fastened in place at least every 3 m (10 ft), and each run between termination points shall be securely fastened within 900 mm (3 ft) of each outlet box, junction box, device box, cabinet, conduit body, or other tubing termination. Exception No. 1 allows up to 1.5 m (5 ft) where structural members do not readily permit fastening within 900 mm.
Drills citing 358.30(A)NEC 2023 250.118 — Types of Equipment Grounding Conductors
Electrical metallic tubing is listed among the permitted equipment grounding conductor types, which depends on the raceway and its fittings staying mechanically and electrically continuous.
Drills citing 250.118
2026 NEC:same rule and number. No 2026 change to the EMT securing rule was found in 2026 change summaries (Steel Tube Institute, EC&M); 358.30(A) still requires fastening every 10 ft and within 3 ft of each box or termination, with the 5 ft structural-member exception. Not confirmed against the 2026 text itself. Confidence: medium
Minnesota
Minnesota adopted the 2023 NEC as the Minnesota Electrical Code effective July 1, 2023 (Minn. Stat. 326B.35; Minn. Rules 1315.0200) and adopts the NEC without section-by-section amendments. No Minnesota change to 358.30 is known. Newer permits may fall under a later NEC edition; see the Minnesota page. The Board of Electricity adopted the 2026 NEC, also without amendment, for permits filed on or after Aug. 17, 2026 (exams moved to the 2026 NEC on Sept. 8, 2026); see the 2026 NEC note on this drill.
How Minnesota adopts the NECWhy the other choices are wrong
- The EMT is not strapped at every stud it crosses. 358.30(A) only requires fastening at least every 10 ft and within 3 ft of each termination; strapping every stud is not required.
- EMT is not permitted exposed in a dwelling garage. 358.10 permits EMT for exposed work; it is a common, approved way to protect wiring in garages.
- Nothing. This installation is compliant. The tubing is cantilevered off the box for five stud bays (about 6-1/2 ft) with no fastener near the termination.