Wiring – Grounding short section of metallic conduit or raceway used solely for protecting NM from physical damage without junction

necwiring

I would like to run NM wire in a short section of metallic conduit (e.g. EMT) perpendicular to the joists in my basement so I do not have to drill any additional holes in the joists as allowed by 334.15(C) of the NEC.

As I understand section 334.15(C) of the NEC, I will still have to bond the EMT to keep it from becoming energized in case of a ground fault if I use a short section of to provide support and protection of the NM cable from physical damage per 300.12. The code provides specific guidance in 334.15(C) on how to do this, but provides very little information on how to properly ground it.

Can I properly ground the EMT without adding a junction box on one end or the other of the EMT just to splice the NM inside of the junction box and access the ground wire? If so, what are the methods to do so? At this point, I'm thinking Schedule 80 PVC is the easier way to go to avoid needing bond the conduit, but I'm still curious how this is done in practice (that is, if it is done).

Note: The NM cable is smaller than three 8 AWG conductors, so I cannot staple the cable to the bottom of the joists directly per 334.15(C) of the NEC.

Relevant quoted sections of the NEC (NFPA-70:2014)

334.15(C) In Unfinished Basements and Crawl Spaces. Where cable is run at angles with joists in unfinished basements and crawl spaces, it
shall be permissible to secure cables not smaller than two 6 AWG or
three 8 AWG conductors directly to the lower edges of the joists.
Smaller cables shall be run either through bored holes in joists or on
running boards. Nonmetallic-sheathed cable installed on the wall of an
unfinished basement shall be permitted to be installed in a listed
conduit or tubing or shall be protected in accordance with 300.4.
Conduit or tubing shall be provided with a suitable insulating bushing
or adapter at the point the cable enters the raceway. The sheath of
the nonmetallic-sheathed cable shall extend through the conduit or
tubing and into the outlet or device box not less than 6 mm (1⁄4 in.).
The cable shall be secured within 300 mm (12 in.) of the point where
the cable enters the conduit or tubing. Metal conduit, tubing, and
metal outlet boxes shall be connected to an equipment grounding
conductor complying with the provisions of 250.86 and 250.148.

300.12 Mechanical Continuity — Raceways and Cables. Metal or nonmetallic raceways, cable armors, and cable sheaths shall be
continuous between cabinets, boxes, fittings, or other enclosures or
outlets. Exception No. 1: Short sections of raceways used to provide
support or protection of cable assemblies from physical damage shall
not be required to be mechanically continuous.

Best Answer

You don't have to bond the conduit if it's only there to "provide support or protection of cable assemblies from physical damage", according to 250.86 ex. 2.

National Electrical Code 2014

Chapter 2 Wiring and Protection

Article 250 Grounding and Bonding

250.86 Other Conductor Enclosures and Raceways. Except as permitted by 250.112(I), metal enclosures and raceways for other than service conductors shall be connected to the equipment grounding conductor.

Exception No. 2: Short sections of metal enclosures or raceways used to provide support or protection of cable assemblies from physical damage shall not be required to be connected to the equipment grounding conductor.