Protection for large wire in garage behind drywall

[Jeff590]

My Mom recently had a whole-house generator installed by Generator Supercenter and they pulled permits for the work. All inspections are complete and everything passed. The electrical panel is in the garage, so they re-routed the main feed to the whole-house switch mounted outside and fed the new main wire for the panel through the back of that switch and up to the existing panel with all the breakers.

This main feed is now in the middle of the stud bay under the panel box and unprotected. Before I do the drywall repair, is there anything that needs to be done to protect that main feed? If you need the nail-in protectors for a regular circuit wire, it seems odd to not need anything for the main feed. I asked the installers and they said that is how they typically do it and it passed inspection.

 

[sparky 1971]

Is it individual wires or a cable assembly? If it's individual wires, it shouldn't have passed anything. If a cable assembly like SER cable, drywall away. If it's passing through studs, nail plates are more than likely going to be required.

The fact that permits were pulled and inspections completed makes me think you're ok. There are places where inspections don't mean a thing, but they are few and far between.

 

[mike93lx]

Picture?

 

[Noltz]

Did they use TECK or other armored cable from the outdoor ATS to the panel? Or is it in conduit?

 

[mike93lx]

Did they use TECK or other armored cable from the outdoor ATS to the panel? Or is it in conduit?

AFAIK, teck is only used in the great white north

 

[Jeff590]

Not individual wires - it is a single grey cable with individual conductors inside. Outside there are no exposed cables, everything in conduit. The cable in question runs from the back of the switch box (ATS I guess?) through the wall directly to the bottom of the existing panel in the stud bay, so conduit is not needed.

I don't have a picture with me, but can get one when I go out there next.

 

[Jeff590]

Loudoun County, VA if anyone is familiar with the rigor they inspect things...

 

[mike93lx]

Grey means it is SER.

You don't have to do anything. But if you want to, maybe add a stud on either side and cover it with a steel plate

 

[larry4406]

Loudoun County, VA if anyone is familiar with the rigor they inspect things...

Loudoun County has individual trade inspectors.

When I built there last year the electrical inspector was a master electrician. The plumbing inspector was a master plumber. I found their inspection staff highly competent and thorough. Even though semi rural they were on point.

Much different than other counties I build in which use a combination inspector (one guy for building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing).

 

[bluedog225]

I’d absolutely cover it with nailing shields. So cheap and easy. Having sunk a screw into romex. It was no fun. Even knowing exactly what I did. Others will not know. And wonder why it smells smokey.

 

[alfredeneuman]

I’d absolutely cover it with nailing shields.

What would you use as nailing shields?
A solid sheet of metal across the entire stud bay?

 

[rockettauto]

It's in the middle of the bay and not passing through studs...it's fine. Just like you don't need nail plates the whole distance a drop runs on the side of a stud.

If you want to do something, do like @mike93lx said.

 

[Jeff590]

Thanks guys - we will come up with something to protect it.

 

[mike93lx]

What would you use as nailing shields?
A solid sheet of metal across the entire stud bay?

Ar500 plate. Drywall screws punch right through anything less

 

[alfredeneuman]

Did they use TECK or other armored cable from the outdoor ATS to the panel? Or is it in conduit?

In the US armored cable is subject to exactly the same "protection against physical damage" as SER.

 

[rockettauto]

Ar500 plate. Drywall screws punch right through anything less

ERA though if he ever uses a nail gun.

 

[sparky 1971]

If it's not passing through framing, what is there to protect it from?

 

[bluedog225]

My bad. I misread the post. Thought it was through framing as some part of the run.

 

[njride]

In nj, it would pass with it that way also. When I did my own rental property service, with the meter on the exterior wall and the main panel on the interior back to back I had the same issue, with a loop of ser unprotected in the same stud bay. I used a grinder and cut apart the old panel and used that across the bay on the inside before sheetrocking, not that anyone would ever hang anything there but that short section is still unfused so I wanted to protect it. In the field that doesn't get done and I've never seen a problem, but its my house so always do a little extra.
The code is if that section of unfused ser is longer than I think 3ft between the meter and main panel, say it had to travel 15 ft in a wall from the meter to the main panel, you would need to put a first means of disconnect within 3 ft of the meter with your main breaker and then from there you go to what is now technically a sub panel that 15ft or 100 ft whatever distance away.

 

[southalabama]

Ar500 plate. Drywall screws punch right through anything less

Safe from everything except the 50 cal nail gun

 

[BillK]

Just a thought . . . . when I finished the walls in my attached garage instead of sheet rocking the stud bay where the main panel is I cut a piece of wall paneling to fit the opening above and below the panel and screwed it on with flat head screws. It makes it very easy to get to the top and bottom of the panel if you ever want to add a circuit in the future.

 

[Noltz]

... I cut a piece of wall paneling to fit the opening above and below the panel and screwed it on with flat head screws. It makes it very easy to get to the top and bottom of the panel if you ever want to add a circuit in the future.

Buddy did this when he had his house upgraded to 400A service. He has multiple EVs and his in-laws too so he has 3 chargers. Anticipating changes he also left himself access to below the new main.

The original panel is now a sub and still feeds the whole house.

 

[Shiftless]

Buddy did this when he had his house upgraded to 400A service. He has multiple EVs and his in-laws too so he has 3 chargers. Anticipating changes he also left himself access to below the new main.

The original panel is now a sub and still feeds the whole house.

400 amps for a single family residence is *********. Garage Journal spirit for sure!

 

[pbon]

If it is in the garage where aesthetics are not as critical, a note could be placed at the top of the wall stating that a high voltage cable is inside.