NJ Conduit question

[Joelfke]

Im in NJ. This might apply to other states also. Dumb laws are everywhere so I wonder...

If running electrical wire from my main breaker panel in the house to a detached garage, underground 2 ft in pvc conduit, can i run fiber cable and/or cat 5 cable also in the same conduit? or would it have to be seperate?

Another thread brought up a couple points, if i want wifi in the garage why not just hardwire it from the start instead of trying wireless solutions and same goes for security cameras

 

[Terry D]

Defiantly no on the Cat 5. The fiber can as long it is the non conductive type. It cannot enter either of the panels, there has to be J-bxes in the conduit for it to enter and exit.

I would prefer a separate conduit, but that's just my opinion.

 

[Joelfke]

but if i ran the cat5 and fiber together in another conduit in the same trench that would be ok?

 

[Terry D]

but if i ran the cat5 and fiber together in another conduit in the same trench that would be ok?

Sure

 

[jeffmoss26]

any low voltage must be in separate conduit.

 

[dave*99]

How long is the run?

Some folks will recommend you use fiber and avoid the cat5 as you may have issues from lightning strikes nearby etc. The fiber provides electrical isolation that the cat5 does not.

Also why not use cat6?

Any add an empty run of conduit for future use. The trench is the hard part. You don’t want to do that twice.

 

[Joelfke]

How long is the run?

Some folks will recommend you use fiber and avoid the cat5 as you may have issues from lightning strikes nearby etc. The fiber provides electrical isolation that the cat5 does not.

Also why not use cat6?

Any add an empty run of conduit for future use. The trench is the hard part. You don’t want to do that twice.

100ft from building to building. cat 6 would be fine i get mixed up with what wire. im an auto mechanic not an IT guy haha

 

[u2slow]

It became apparent very quickly I'd have trouble punching wifi through the metal siding on the shop. I ran Cat 5E. In the shop I used an old router to make wifi again.

 

[Joelfke]

Also, with the main power in conduit, it appears cheaper to do 4 seperate THHN 2ga wires than to buy 2-2-2-4 wire. 4.80/ft vs 6.29/ft. Does code require SER 2-2-2-4 wire? or can i just run 4 seperate wires through the conduit?

 

[teamextreme]

Also, with the main power in conduit, it appears cheaper to do 4 seperate THHN 2ga wires than to buy 2-2-2-4 wire. 4.80/ft vs 6.29/ft. Does code require SER 2-2-2-4 wire? or can i just run 4 seperate wires through the conduit?

If you're running conduit end to end, you can, and should, run individual conductors. Pulling a single large cable is more difficult than individual conductors of equivalent size.

 

[Joelfke]

If you're running conduit end to end, you can, and should, run individual conductors. Pulling a single large cable is more difficult than individual conductors of equivalent size.

so THHN wire is ok?

 

[dave*99]

so THHN wire is ok?

You need THWN. Since it’s in conduit going underground.

 

[Joelfke]

You need THWN. Since it’s in conduit going underground.

are they the same? when i look on wireandcableyourway.com it lists it as THHN/THWN-2

 

[dscheidt]

are they the same? when i look on wireandcableyourway.com it lists it as THHN/THWN-2

They're not, but almost all THHN (and, as far as I know, all of it made in usa) is cross listed as THWN-2. Lot of it also has MTW listing as well.

 

[Joelfke]

They're not, but almost all THHN (and, as far as I know, all of it made in usa) is cross listed as THWN-2. Lot of it also has MTW listing as well.

The site lists it as both but then if you select a wire (2Gauge in my case) it just says THHN. would that be a problem? I dont see THWN at all in that big gauge.

 

[dave*99]

are they the same? when i look on wireandcableyourway.com it lists it as THHN/THWN-2

That is what you want.

 

[Joelfke]

That is what you want.

Thanks. Sorry for all the questions, dont wanna spend $600+ on the wrong wires.

 

[sberry]

I would be spending 2 on alum.

 

[alfredeneuman]

any low voltage must be in separate conduit.

Not always
NEC 300.3
(C) Conductors of Different Systems.
(1) 1000 Volts, Nominal, or Less. Conductors of ac and dc circuits, rated 1000 volts, nominal, or less, shall be permitted to occupy the same equipment wiring enclosure, cable, or raceway.
All conductors shall have an insulation rating equal to at least the maximum circuit voltage applied to any conductor within the enclosure, cable, or raceway.

Any modifications of this will be contained in the particular Article for that usage.