I inspected a house with an unfinished garage and there were some branch wiring (romex) running along the top plate (8 to 9 feet high)of the rafters. A few of the branch wires were run down the wall to an exterior mounted receptacle box. Does all the exposed wire need conduit or just the wire with in reach.
I don’t know what the code is in Fl., but it wouldn’t matter to me anyway. I would recommend for safety reasons that the wire coming down the wall be protected. As long as the wire above is out of the way and fastened correctly it would probably be fine.
Mark Jones
Conduit. Protects it from rodent damage.
If Romex can be mechanically damaged, I recommend conduit protection. Most exterior Romex needs a conduit pipe for protection.
An unfinished garage in Massachusetts doesn’t require conduit protection, so long as it’s properly secured.
So in attics, crawlspaces and wall cavities rodents are not a problem??? :mrgreen:
Yup, same here.
Not trying to sound smart but feel the need to point out that Nonmetallic Cable (Romex) is not allowed to be installed on the exterior at all. It can not be installed exposed or in a conduit, it cain’t be installed outside at all.
Often I get called out to “put the exposed Romex in conduit”. Sometimes the realtor and seller think I can just waltz in and magically slip some conduit onto the Romex in twenty minutes or so. Many are upset when I tell them the only fix is to tear it all out and do it right.
Plus, it would probably take longer to do it wrong.
No conduit here as long as it is properly secured and is wood framing. Rodents have nothing to do with it here.
It all comes down to whether it is “subject to physical damage” and that is always in the opinion of the AHJ. Most Florida AHJs want protection if it is below 6’6 or so but that is not written anywhere. There are NO local amendments in Florida, only local opinions.
I read this as running down the inside of the garage into the back of an exterior receptacle.
Am I wrong?
Sounds hocky to me. Your description is too vague.
Is the NM being run through bored holes?
Is the NM running along any ‘surfaces’?
Is the NM exposed to any possible ‘realistic’ physical damage?
Photos please.
tom
That’s the way it sounds to me Petey.
After reading it again I may be the one that don’t know how to read! :roll: :roll: :roll:
Romex is allowed on the exterior, depending upon location and whether or not it’s encased in conduit if sunlight becomes an issue.
In other words, Romex can be used under a deck as long it’s properly secured. No sunlight.
Sorry David,
NM is not allowed outside whether it is in conduit or not. 334.10(A)(1) cleary states “For both exposed and concealed work in normally dry locations” and 334.12(10) TYpe NM shall not be used as follows d. states " Where exposed or subject to excessive moisture or dampness".
A wet location is defined in Article 100 as “Installations underground or in cocrete slabs or masonry in contact with the earth; in locations subject to saturation with water or other liquids, such as vehicle washing areas; and in unprotected locations exposed to weather”
I don’t do code.
If I see a romex installed properly and protected on the exterior (which I do many times) under decks, sheds, utility closets, etc., I leave it be.
The only time I call it out is if there is an issue with trhe actual placement and is susceptible to mechanical damage or sunlight damage or improperly used for underground burial.
NM outside is not properly installed. The jacket is not sunlight resistant either.
If you don’t “do code” how do you know what a proper installation would be?
Like I said, if it looks safe to me…It passes.
I’m done.
Just add excessive moisture and you are OK. :mrgreen:
I agree.
I personally think the whole “I don’t do code” mentality meeds some re-thinking.
Without knowing the basic codes and procedures all you are doing is giving your opinion. Which in this case is flawed.
Unfortunately, folks pay a LOT of money, an put a LOT of stock in that “opinion”.