ANSI C80.

3-2005
Revision of 
ANSI C80.3-1994

American National Standard

For Steel Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)

Secretariat:

National Electrical Manufacturers Association

Approved August 18, 2005

American National Standards Institute, Inc.

ANSI C80.3-2005

NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER

The information in this publication was considered technically sound by the consensus of persons
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 ANSI C80.3-2005

Approval of an American National Standard requires verification by

AMERICAN ANSI that the requirements for due process, consensus, and other 
NATIONAL criteria for approval have been met by the standards developer.

STANDARD Consensus is established when, in the judgment of the ANSI Board of 
Standards Review, substantial agreement has been reached by directly
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Published by

National Electrical Manufacturers Association

1300 North 17th Street, Rosslyn, VA 22209

 Copyright 2005 by National Electrical Manufacturers Association

All rights reserved including translation into other languages, reserved under the Universal Copyright
Convention, the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works, and the
International and Pan American Copyright Conventions.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, in an electronic retrieval system or 
otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Printed in the United States of America

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 ANSI C80.3-2005

Contents

Page

Foreword ........................................................................................................................ v
1 Scope ..........................................................................................................................1
2 Normative References ...................................................................................................1
3 Definitions ......................................................................................................................1
4 Units of Measurements ..................................................................................................2
5 General Requirements...................................................................................................2
5.1 Circular cross section........................................................................................2
5.2 Wall thickness ...................................................................................................2
5.3 Interior surface ..................................................................................................2
5.4 Welding .............................................................................................................2
5.5 Cleaning ............................................................................................................2
5.6 Protective coating for corrosion resistance.......................................................2
5.7 Surface treatments............................................................................................2
6 Detailed Requirements ..................................................................................................2
6.1 Exterior coating .................................................................................................2
6.1.1 Zinc coating.......................................................................................... 2
6.1.2 Alternative corrosion resistant coating (ACRC) ...................................3
6.2 Interior coating ..................................................................................................3
6.3 Chamfering........................................................................................................3
6.4 Identification......................................................................................................3
6.5 Dimensions .......................................................................................................3
6.6 Elbows .............................................................................................................3
7 Test Procedures.............................................................................................................3
7.1 Bending properties............................................................................................3
7.1.1 Ductility of steel ....................................................................................3
7.1.2 Ductility of coatings at ambient temperature........................................3
7.2 Thickness of zinc coating..................................................................................4
7.3 Alternate corrosion resistant coatings (ACRC).................................................4
7.4 Performance requirement of organic coating for use on interior surface .........4

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ANSI C80.3-2005

8 Examination of Product..................................................................................................4
8.1 Place of inspection............................................................................................4
8.2 Visual inspection of tubing ................................................................................4
8.3 Visual inspection of elbows...............................................................................5
8.4 Retests .............................................................................................................5
9 Markings .............................................................................................................5
9.1 General .............................................................................................................5
9.2 Nonmetallic alternate corrosion resistant coating temperature marking ..........5
9.3 Supplementary coating marking .......................................................................5

Tables
1 Dimensions and weights for steel electrical metallic tubing...........................................6
2 Minimum dimensions for 90-degree elbows ..................................................................7

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 ANSI C80.3-2005

Foreword (This Foreword is not part of American National Standard C80.3-2005.)

This standard was developed by the Accredited Standards Committee on Raceways for Electrical Wiring
Systems, C80. The objective of the committee is to produce a comprehensive specification that would
establish uniform dimensions and standard construction requirements for Electrical Rigid Steel Conduit,
Steel Electrical Metallic Tubing, Electrical Intermediate Metal Conduit and Electrical Aluminum Rigid
Conduit raceway products and their associated components.

The standard was originally approved in 1950 and revised in 1953, 1959, 1963, 1966, 1977, 1983, 1991,
1994 and 2005.

Suggestions for improvement of this standard will be welcomed. They should be sent to:

National Electrical Manufacturers Association

1300 North 17th Street, Suite 1847
Rosslyn, Virginia 22209.

This standard was processed and approved for submittal to ANSI by the Accredited Standards
Committee on Raceways for Electrical Wiring Systems, C80. Committee approval of the standard does
not necessarily imply that all committee members voted for its approval. At the time it approved this
standard, the C80 Committee had the following members:

J. A. Gruber, Chairperson
J. P. Collins, Jr., Secretary

Organization Represented: Name of Representative:

Aluminum Association P. Pollak

American National Standards Institute H. Benko
American Iron and Steel Institute J. A. Gruber 
American Iron and Steel Institute M. J. Brett, Jr.
American Iron and Steel Institute J. Robbins
American Pipe Fittings Association D. Thompson
International Association of Electrical Inspectors W. Lilly
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers H. Hickman
National Electrical Contractors Association B. Stauffer 
National Electrical Manufacturers Association A. W. Ballard
National Electrical Manufacturers Association S. Blais
National Electrical Manufacturers Association T. McNeive
National Electrical Manufacturers Association E. Thompson
National Electrical Manufacturers Association J. Dodds
Steel Tube Institute K. Carroll
Steel Tube Institute G. Scartozzi
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc G. Walbrecht
Unaffiliated D. Gearing
Unaffiliated R. Loyd
Unaffiliated H. E. Harper, Jr.

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 AMERICAN NATIONAL STANDARD ANSI C80.3-2005

For Steel Electrical Metallic Tubing (EMT)—

1 Scope

This standard covers the requirements for steel electrical metallic tubing, for use as a raceway for wires
or cables of an electrical system. Finished tubing is typically furnished in nominal 10 ft (3.05 m) lengths.
It is protected on the exterior surface with a metallic zinc coating or alternate corrosion protection coating
(see UL 797 Eighth edition Clauses 5.3.3, 6.2.4, 7.5 and 7.6) and on the interior surface with a zinc or 
organic coating.

This standard also covers electrical metallic tubing elbows.

Properly assembled systems of steel electrical metallic tubing and elbows, manufactured in accordance
with this standard, and other identified fittings provide for the electrical continuity required of an
equipment grounding conductor.

2 Normative References

The following standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute
requirements of this American National Standard. At the time of publication, the editions indicated
were valid. All standards are subject to revision, and parties to agreements based on this American
National Standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most recent e ditions of 
the standards indicated below unless otherwise specified.

ASTM A 239 – 95 (1999), Standard Practice for Locating the Thinnest Spot in a Zinc (Galvanized)
Coating on Iron or Steel Articles

ASTM B 499 – 96 (2002), Standard Test Method for Measurement of Coating Thicknesses by the
Magnetic Method: Nonmagnetic Coatings on Magnetic Basis Metals

UL 797, Electrical Metallic Tubing -- Steel 

3 Definitions

3.1 Electrical metallic tubing (EMT): A steel raceway of circular cross-section designed for the
physical protection and routing of conductors and cables for use as an equipment grounding conductor.

3.2 Elbow: A manufactured curved section of EMT.

3.3 Alternate corrosion resistant coating (ACRC): A coating(s), other than one consisting solely of 
zinc, which, upon evaluation, has demonstrated the ability to provide the level of corrosion resistance
required on the exterior of tubing. It is not prohibited that the coatings include zinc. (See UL 797 Eighth
edition Clauses 5.3.3, 6.2.4, 7.5 and 7.6.)