Originally Posted By: bking This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Is it ok to run a seperate THHN type wire from a wall switch to a ceiling fan/light fixture? This is where an existing NM cable only has 2 cond with gnd and the 3rd one is needed for a fan switch.
Originally Posted By: Greg Fretwell This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
What you could do is tie your THHN to a piece of piece of Romex and pull it through.
This is one place where Will’s EMT is handy. It is trivial to pull out 2 and pull in 3. YMMV in trying to just shove in another wire without pulling out the others first. Sucking a string through with a vacuum and pulling the wire works better.
Originally Posted By: Greg Fretwell This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
The insulation is fine, it is the lack of protection for the insulation we are talking about. Most of the country thinks a wrap of Kraft paper and a PVC jacket is fine (romex). In Will’s part of the country they think pipe is the ticket. I think a decent compromise is “smurf tube” (Type ENT).
Originally Posted By: jrobnett This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
The insulated wire in Romex has been thhn for several years. The problem is thhn is supposed to be protected. But this is probably not the first time a ceiling fan was installed like this. Some installers incorrectly use the black and white for the hots and the bare wire for the neutral.
Originally Posted By: Greg Fretwell This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Bob I am not talking about romex being unsafe, I let Will handle that. I would point out that if this was smurf adding that extra conductor would be trivial.
I think smurf is a good choice for residential that wants a step up from romex. We are even seeing a lot in commercial these days. When run from big spools it is real fast, concrete tight and can be run in steel studs without bushings.
Originally Posted By: Greg Fretwell This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
The Carlon folks had a pretty aggressive sales force in the Tampa area. They were really pushing smurf so they could get some nice pictures of installed ENT. The last catalog I saw had a Tampa installation featured.
I used a lot of smurf in my renovations at my house. It is actually pretty easy to work with. I am also torture testing some on my boat.
So far I have not come up with a good reason why they would not try to list it for wet/UV locations if you had a tighter connector or if it was used without a splice. (which reminds me of a question about MC I will ask over at your house)
I have some that is over 15 years old, exposed to salt water and Florida sun. 3/4" smurf is a great sleeve for a steering cable. ![icon_wink.gif](upload://ssT9V5t45yjlgXqiFRXL04eXtqw.gif)
The last time I pulled it back the cable looked like it did, right out of the box.