THHN wire

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#1

Originally Posted By: bking
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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.

#2

Originally Posted By: Greg Fretwell
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No

#3

Originally Posted By: bbadger
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I would like to elaborate on Greg’s fine post.


No.

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Bob Badger
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
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#4

Originally Posted By: Greg Fretwell
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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.

#5

Originally Posted By: pabernathy
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I’ll bring up the rear…NO

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#6

Originally Posted By: jwilliams4
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I don’t understand…is it O.K. or not???



![icon_biggrin.gif](upload://iKNGSw3qcRIEmXySa8gItY6Gczg.gif) ![icon_biggrin.gif](upload://iKNGSw3qcRIEmXySa8gItY6Gczg.gif)

#7

Originally Posted By: bking
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were halfway there icon_biggrin.gif


why is it not ok to run THHN inside a home ?

#8

Originally Posted By: brian winkle
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It is ok to run THHN inside a home…provided it is in conduit. THHN is not rated to be installed in any building without a raceway.

#9

Originally Posted By: bking
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thanks, I guess the insulation on THHN is not as good as it looks or maybe it has toxic fumes when burning.

#10

Originally Posted By: Greg Fretwell
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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).

#11

Originally Posted By: jrobnett
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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.

#12

Originally Posted By: bbadger
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Greg Fretwell wrote:
I think a decent compromise is "smurf tube" (Type ENT).


I would like to see evidence that NM is somehow not serving fine as it is before I would jump on that band wagon.

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Bob Badger
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Moderator at ECN
#13

Originally Posted By: Greg Fretwell
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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.

#14

Originally Posted By: bbadger
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Greg Fretwell wrote:
Bob I am not talking about romex being unsafe, I let Will handle that.


![icon_lol.gif](upload://zEgbBCXRskkCTwEux7Bi20ZySza.gif)


Greg Fretwell wrote:
I think smurf is a good choice for residential that wants a step up from romex.


Agreed


Quote:
We are even seeing a lot in commercial these days.


I do not think I have ever touched smurf tube.

We use MC or NM for the most part, not many places here will pay for pipe.

--
Bob Badger
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Moderator at ECN
#15

Originally Posted By: Greg Fretwell
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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.

#16

Originally Posted By: bbadger
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I have seen it and I can imagine a lot of good uses for it.


If type "W" conductors are used why not let it be used outside.

FMC can be used in wet locations if arraigned not to let water into the enclosures it enters.

--
Bob Badger
Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Moderator at ECN