Thanks to everyone who responded to my earlier query on conduit. BTW, can anyone suggest a good practical reference on using EMT and other conduits? I have "Wiring a House" by Rex Cauldwell, but that really only covers NM cable. I also purchased the 2002 NEC, but that's not a practical reference.
My last point of confusion is this: I want to put in a horizontal run of boxes to the left of the panel, but immediately to the left of the panel are two vertical 2x4s. They are part of a narrow stud wall built just to support the panel. How should I deal with this?
I assume I should just drill through the two 2x4s. That would be alot easier and require way fewer bends than going out somewhere else. Should I butt the first box up against the 2x4s and use NM-B just for this first run? Or should I use conduit?
For conduit, what type of conduit and connector should I use, in the interest of minimizing the hole size? Everywhere else I'm using 3/4" EMT with setscrew connectors, but I assume that would be a poor choice. There will 7 #12 wires, EGC plus 3 circuits, and the knockouts in the relevant area of the panel are all 1/2" only. So perhaps 1/2" conduit would be best for this very short run?
Any advice would be much appreciated, there seem to be too many options relative to my experience.
Thanks, Wayne