6/3 cable through breezeway

[thirdgoat]

I have a 26x26 garage and a new 30x50 that is 6 feet away, running parallel to the other. There is a covered breezeway between (no walls) the two garages. The breezeway has a vinyl soffit. I decided to install my 5HP/60 Gallon compressor in the small garage, to keep the noise level outside the shop My question is can I just lay the 6/3 Romex type cable over the joists? It will be attached with wire staples on either side of breezeway where it enters each garage, it will be supported normally the remainder of the cable length., I just can't access the breezeway except the walls of each garage. The cable will not be subjected to any movement one installed. I just don't know if it needs to be secured over that 6' run through the breezeway. Thanks!

 

[alfredeneuman]

If there is no other way to access the area without taking the finished work down then the NM can be fished, as long as it's stapled on the ends.

 

[yatg]

NEC 2017:
334.30(B) Unsupported Cables. Nonmetallic-sheathed cable
shall be permitted to be unsupported where the cable:
(1) Is fished between access points through concealed
spaces in finished buildings or structures and supporting
is impracticable.

I'd staple it as far back as you can reach.

It sounds like you're running a circuit from the new garage back into the house garage for the compressor?

Is the new garage considered attached or detached?
The breezeway should make it attached.
You can't backfeed to the house if its considered detached.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

How long is the cable run?

6/3 NM-b is overkill and the EGC will be the wrong size since you upsized the ungrounded conductors

You need #10 THWN or #8 NM-b

 

[thirdgoat]

NEC 2017:
334.30(B) Unsupported Cables. Nonmetallic-sheathed cable
shall be permitted to be unsupported where the cable:
(1) Is fished between access points through concealed
spaces in finished buildings or structures and supporting
is impracticable.

I'd staple it as far back as you can reach.

It sounds like you're running a circuit from the new garage back into the house garage for the compressor?

Is the new garage considered attached or detached?
The breezeway should make it attached.
You can't backfeed to the house if its considered detached.

The old and new garage's are both detached. In early spring I plan to move the old garage feed from the house (only a 30 amp service from the house) and move it over to the new garage service, which has 200 amp service on a separate meter. And my bad on the wiring, it is 8/3 cable, the 6/3 is what I am using for my welder outlet.

 

[Terry D]

A neutral is not needed for that compressor.

 

[yatg]

The old and new garage's are both detached. In early spring I plan to move the old garage feed from the house (only a 30 amp service from the house) and move it over to the new garage service, which has 200 amp service on a separate meter. And my bad on the wiring, it is 8/3 cable, the 6/3 is what I am using for my welder outlet.

If you run the cable for the compressor, you'll have two separate services feeding the old garage. Not allowed but I personally wouldn't worry about it on a temporary basis. Just hang a sign on the compressor that says "feed from new garage service".

You might want to do some advance planning for power needs in the old garage and see if you can use that 8/3 as your feed or upsize now so you don't have to redo the cable in the spring. Where the compressor is located in relation to the current/future subpanel will obviously play a part in that.

Whether or not you treat the old garage as a separate structure from the new garage depends on the local interpretation of the connecting breezeway. For a few extra bucks you can drop a couple of ground rods at the old garage, if you don't already have them, and not worry about it.

 

[Norcal]

Because of the breezeway, I would say they are attached structures.

 

[thirdgoat]

The old garage is basically for parking a couple of cars, I really don't plan any work going on in there at all, that is why I built the new building. I did lay out the cable, but I am unlikely to even connect anything until spring. I don't use my compressor as much these days except for body work, battery tools are so dang convenient. I have plenty of other things to do before I even have to think of connecting power and air lines (I bought a 3/4" Rapid Air kit) By that time I will likely have the old garage put on the new garage service, so things should be a wash.
Another question... where the 6/3 enters through the breezeway into the old garage for the compressor, I just used a hoe saw and passed the cable through temporarily, what is the proper way? Can I attach a 2x4 and drill a hole through it as you would to run through studs? There are a zillion ways it could be done but I prefer to do it correctly and safely.

 

[u2slow]

I'd staple it as far back as you can reach.
....
Is the new garage considered attached or detached?
The breezeway should make it attached.
You can't backfeed to the house if its considered detached.

'Considered' can be a very grey area. A breezeway-type building connection has become so popular locally (to get around restrictive detached building rules) that it no longer counts as attached. Now there has to be heated rooms adjoining to met the criteria.

Where I lived before, the breezeway did make it part of the house, and simplified moving the electrical service to the garage.

Regardless, it sounds like the cable is going from point A to point B without going outside.

Another question... where the 6/3 enters through the breezeway into the old garage for the compressor, I just used a hoe saw and passed the cable through temporarily, what is the proper way? Can I attach a 2x4 and drill a hole through it as you would to run through studs? There are a zillion ways it could be done but I prefer to do it correctly and safely.

Sounds like you're in the ballpark. I think you're overthinking it.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Because of the breezeway, I would say they are attached structures.

I would too