Rigid Metal Conduit/Electrical Metallic Tubing

[John Gromkoski]

I am trying to determine if the installed conduit in the attached photo is RMC or EMT. It is bent so I am assuming EMT, because I don't think RMC can be bent. Am I wrong? I'm asking because it is partially buried in the ground and my understanding is that EMT is not OK to bury.

[Robert Meier]

Judging from the long elbow I would guess that it's RMC and not EMT. An EMT bender should make a better looking, smaller radius bend. If it's galvanized steel RMC then it can be in contact with the earth. If it's aluminum RMC then it cannot be in direct contact with the earth without supplementary corrosion protection. EMT can be in direct contact with the earth if it complies with 358.10(B).

II. Installation
358.10 Uses Permitted.
(A) Exposed and Concealed. The use of EMT shall be permitted for both exposed and concealed work.
(B) Corrosion Protection. Ferrous or nonferrous EMT, elbows, couplings, and fittings shall be permitted to be installed in concrete, in direct contact with the earth, or in areas subject to severe corrosive influences where protected by corrosion protection and judged suitable for the condition.