220v outlet mounting

[TRA]

We ran 12 gauge wire down to my garage for a 220v/20amp outlet by fishing it through the existing conduit. We mounted the box for the outlet in the easiest place possible, but how we did it doesn't sit right with me.

There is a flush mounted outlet sitting directly below where we mounted the new box. We mounted the new box directly to the outside of the drywall, and fished the 220v wires up to the new box from the 110v box. We ran the ground from the outlet to the shell of the new box, and ran a wire from the shell of the new box to the old box (creating a ground plane for the new box). My biggest concern is the two or three inches from the 110v box to the 220v box the wires aren't run through conduit or any other protective thing.

Here is a crude drawing. Is this ok or am I going to start a fire? This isn't my forever house and we just need a temporary but SAFE solution. I don't want a fire to be what makes this house temporary.

 

[Mattlt]

Here is a crude drawing. Is this ok or am I going to start a fire? This isn't my forever house and we just need a temporary but SAFE solution. I don't want a fire to be what makes this house temporary.



So, it's ok to leave it if you're going to sell the house? Make it someone else's problem?

Unless it's a Romex-type cable it should be in some kind of conduit.

Why not cut a hole in the drywall and install a double-size flush mounted box for both the 120v and 240V receptacle? The biggest problem would be to find a cover for it. I would think you could find something for it. Then you wouldn't have that ugly surface mounted box.

Or, how about flush mounting another box next to the original box, and running a conduit ****** between the two? Using two different cover plates. Very minimal drywall repair should be needed.

 

[TRA]

I definitely wouldn't leave it for someone else. It'd get disconnected.

 

[mrb]

thats not kosher, you should redo it right.

 

[TRA]

Yeah...I figured. I have the power off right now, and I'll do it this weekend. Should I try running romex between the two boxes or conduit?

 

[mrb]

you could do it with a piece of romex... make sure your grounds are connected good. Is there a ground wire in the conduit or are they using the conduit for the ground?

 

[TRA]

you could do it with a piece of romex... make sure your grounds are connected good. Is there a ground wire in the conduit or are they using the conduit for the ground?

The conduit is the ground.

 

[TRA]

Is the point of the romex just to protect the insulation of the wire?

 

[mrb]

Is the point of the romex just to protect the insulation of the wire?

dont just cover the wire with something. do it right. This is the kind of thing, where if you have a fire (even if this wiring didnt cause it) the insurance companies find it and refuse to pay the claim.

 

[mrb]

The conduit is the ground.

have you checked the integrity of the ground? is the conduit metal all the way to the panel? no couplings falling apart?

 

[TRA]

have you checked the integrity of the ground? is the conduit metal all the way to the panel? no couplings falling apart?

The ground is secure.