Answer to "Romex in Conduit"

[ddawg16]

This question has been asked and answered 'many' times.....and being the type that does not accept the first answer I see...I did research....

This has to be the best reason why most cities don't allow it...(source - All Experts)

In most garages....attached or detached...conduit is not necessary unless the environment will require it...or if local Codes require it. If this garage is going to remain in the open stud mode...with no drywall or wall covering...conduit may be become a consideration...simply to add extra protection to the wiring. However....if you use conduit - either PVC or EMT....most juristictions will not allow sheathed or jacketed romex to be run in long lengths of conduit...only short *******...this is becuase the individual wires will now technically have 3 layers of insulation...the original black or white covering immediately over the conductor, the outer jacket of the romex...and then the conduit...and in long runs, overheating can occur due to lack of heat dissaption. In most areas..(check with your local authority)...long runs of romex in conduit must have the outer jacket removed before it is pulled into the conduit...and if you are going to do that - you are just as well off pulling individual colored runs of THHN wire....which doesn't have the outer jacket covering that romex does. Again, your local inspector will know if the outer romex jacket removal is required in conduit in your area (it is here...other then short ******* of conduit or sleeves thru wall) .

To summerize - Yes, the NEC code does not prevent it....

BUT...many municipalities have taken the above position....

Or, in other words....it's up to your local inspector.....which means, "That's not the hill you want to die on."

So...do it his way and move on....

 

[walrus]

....

Or, in other words....it's up to your local inspector.....which means, "That's not the hill you want to die on."
...

Its not up to the local inspector, its up to the code adopted by the town or municipality. Inspectors can't pull rules out of their butts.

 

[BackAgain]

Inspectors can't pull rules out of their butts.

But they can try real hard.

 

[hidollartoys]

Without retyping the code section, PLEASE read Article 334, page 178 of the 2005 NEC code. It actually specifies the "REQUIREMENT" for romex in conduit. The code does not limit the conduit length. Local jurisdictions can supersede the code but generally only to increase the safety factor.

Maybe your research should have included the NEC.

 

[JBurgess]

334.15 Covers exposed work. The changes fron 2205 to 2008 are underlined.

334.15 Exposed Work. In exposed work, except as provided
in 300.11(A), cable shall be installed as specified in
334.15(A) through (C).

(A) To Follow Surface. Cable shall closely follow the surface
of the building finish or of running boards.

(B) Protection from Physical Damage. Cable shall be
protected from physical damage where necessary by rigid
metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic
tubing, Schedule 80 PVC conduit, or other approved
means. Where passing through a floor, the cable shall be
enclosed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit,
electrical metallic tubing, Schedule 80 PVC conduit, or
other approved means extending at least 150 mm (6 in.)
above the floor.
Type NMC cable installed in shallow chases or grooves
in masonry, concrete, or adobe, shall be protected in accordance
with the requirements in 300.4(E) and covered with
plaster, adobe, or similar finish.

(C) In Unfinished Basements and Crawl Spaces. Where
cable is run at angles with joists in unfinished basements
and crawl spaces, it shall be permissible to secure cables
not smaller than two 6 AWG or three 8 AWG conductors
directly to the lower edges of the joists. Smaller cables
shall be run either through bored holes in joists or on running
boards. NM cable installed on the wall of an unfinished
basement shall be permitted to be installed in a listed
conduit or tubing or shall be protected in accordance with
300.4. Conduit or tubing shall be provided with a suitable
insulating bushing or adapter at the point the cable enters
the raceway. The NM cable sheath shall extend through the
conduit or tubing and into the outlet or device box not less
than 6 mm (1⁄4 in.). The cable shall be secured within
300 mm (12 in.) of the point where the cable enters the
conduit or tubing. Metal conduit, tubing, and metal outlet
boxes shall be connected to an equipment grounding conductor.