Anyone familar with NYS electrical code?

[scottzilla]

Before I open a giant can of worms i'm hopeful someone familiar with NY code can help me out here.
I originally intended on telling the town my garage does not have electric. Now i'm thinking I may as well get a CO that is proper to my situation. Truth is, my garage has had electricity for months now. A handy friend did it for me and I want to make sure I am not in violation of code. I trust this guy even if some shortcuts were possibly made but I can't have an inspector come in and condemn my building.

My 1st question: I have an existing romex line coming off my house breaker that used to end at an outdoor outlet. We eliminated the outlet and made it a junction box to supply power to the garage. It's in a proper, sealed plastic box. One line in, one line out. From this box we spanned 8' underground to the garage. Dug down 24" and ran the line (Piped and sealed in conduit). This line enters the garage next to the door jamb at ground level. (36" door, not the garage door) and runs up to the main light switch.
Is this up to code?

Next question: From the light switch (This plastic box has a switch and hot outlet next to it) the line runs straight up and runs through a hole cut in the top plate and continues along the roof trusses (Not stapled to the trusses, just lying on top of them). This line goes to one GFI outlet (Line comes back down through a hole cut in the top plate) and to a 4 way non-GFI outlet that I plug my door opener in to. This 4 plug outlet is mounted to the bottom of a truss. Ths line also powers two really nice lighting fixtures.
Thats it.
So to review: I have a switch & outlet, 2 light fixtures, 1 GFI wall outlet and 1-4 plug outlet on the ceiling.

Do we have a problem with code?
Please ask for more info if I was short of specific details.

 

[kb2tha]

If the line above the trusses runs perpendicular to the trusses, it needs to be attached to a wood supporting member and stapled. If it runs parallel, I would just staple it to the existing lower truss cord.

In regards to the GFCI, my understanding is that all garage circuits need to be protected. Wouldn't this then require that the GFCI outlet be installed at the beginning of the circuit (the outlet by the light switch)?

Hope this is of some help to you. Can't really comment on the the feed from the house.
Ken

 

[mrb]

for GFCI, the circuit doesnt need to be protected, the receptacles do -so just use GFCI receptacle(s). What did you run through the pipe? Romex or individual wires? How does it come out of the ground and enter the garage?

 

[scottzilla]

Here's some visual help.
This is the junction box.

conduit enters the garage:

conduit from other side of entry point:

up through the top plate:

 

[scottzilla]

Down through the top plate, to the switch.

door opener.

lights.

outlet

 

[scottzilla]

If the line above the trusses runs perpendicular to the trusses, it needs to be attached to a wood supporting member and stapled. If it runs parallel, I would just staple it to the existing lower truss cord.

In regards to the GFCI, my understanding is that all garage circuits need to be protected. Wouldn't this then require that the GFCI outlet be installed at the beginning of the circuit (the outlet by the light switch)?

Hope this is of some help to you. Can't really comment on the the feed from the house.
Ken

Mine does run perpendicular back to the garage door opener fronm the back wall. Can I just staple to the bottom of each truss and be legal?

 

[mrb]

im not trying to cause hurt feelings or anything, but that is a pretty poor install.
-needs GFCI protection for the receptacls
-needs covers on the boxes
-romex not properly fastened
-it appears as though romex is run in the underground conduit. this is a big no-no. underground conduit is a wet location and romex is not permitted.
-you have several issues at the box this is fed from, two romex into a clamp thats only good for one, romex outside, romex not properly fastened.

 

[sberry]

Also need a disconnect switch after the feed enters the building killing all power to the garage, can be a simple light switch.

 

[scottzilla]

im not trying to cause hurt feelings or anything, but that is a pretty poor install.
-needs GFCI protection for the receptacls
-needs covers on the boxes
-romex not properly fastened
-it appears as though romex is run in the underground conduit. this is a big no-no. underground conduit is a wet location and romex is not permitted.
-you have several issues at the box this is fed from, two romex into a clamp thats only good for one, romex outside, romex not properly fastened.

Only one of my receptacls is GFI, so that's a problem.
Covers are no problem.
Please expalin how romex isn't properly fastened. I have 6000 staples I can nail in if I have to.
Romex is not run through the conduit, individual wires are. Again, how is romex not properly fastened on outside box?

 

[scottzilla]

Also need a disconnect switch after the feed enters the building killing all power to the garage, can be a simple light switch.

That *****.

 

[mrb]

Only one of my receptacls is GFI, so that's a problem.
Covers are no problem.
Please expalin how romex isn't properly fastened. I have 6000 staples I can nail in if I have to.
Romex is not run through the conduit, individual wires are. Again, how is romex not properly fastened on outside box?

looks like its not fastened at the switch / receptacle. there are some other places that dont look right as well.

ok, thats good you didnt run the romex underground. Where are the splices made, in that LB fitting? Where the romex comes out of the conduit, i would have to call that 'subject to damage' since its at floor level like that. not kosher.

 

[dipper]

yes this looks suspect for sure.

If it is individual THHN/THWN wires in the underground conduit then you would have been better off running the conduit right into the box, rather than what you did there converting to the romex.

 

[dipper]

should be stapled within 6" of the box.

 

[dipper]

I presume this is the feed from your panel box, not sure about romex in conduit in your area, I would have put conduit in and fed from the panel box to that junction box with THHN/THWN

 

[sberry]

As was stated it needs staples near the boxes but all in all I have certainly seen worse, not a lot that would give me sleepless nights.

 

[scottzilla]

I really appreciate the responses but i'm concerned about code at this point. This truly was/is a simple electric job.

 

[mrb]

I really appreciate the responses but i'm concerned about code at this point. This truly was/is a simple electric job.

code requires GFCI protected receptacles, Romex not it wet locations, proper use of clamps, proper stapling, and that the romex be protected from physical damage. these are all issues you have and is what everyone is pointint out.

 

[sdowney717]

NO ROMEX in CONDUIT UNDERGROUND EVER
need to use the exterior type of wire cable in conduit underground.
the stuff gets wet, it can short out, I have seen it myself.

You would think, it is insulated, it will be ok, but it does have problems sometimes.
The grey exterior wire is much tougher insulation and each wire is double insulated with no paper inside the cable.

In my area wires inside walls is ok if covered with sheetrock, otherwise got to run it in conduit.

 

[scottzilla]

Thanks again for the replies.
For the record Romex was not underground.
I guess I have to look further in to this. If it has to be ran in conduit that creates a problem for me. Changing to GFI outlets is no problem.

 

[MoonRise]

You don't have to have -every- outlet be a GFCI outlet.

You can have the 'first' outlet in the circuit be the GFCI outlet and wire it up so that it protects all the downstream outlets as well.

As said, no NM-B (aka romex) used underground, conduit or not. You have to use wire/cable rated for underground/wet use. And some NM going -into- that former outside outlet is NG either (wet/outside use means you don't use NM).

As said already (multiple times), the wiring is supposed to (or is required to) be fastened properly (near and boxes) and is supposed to be protected from damage or possible damage. The bend of NM coming out of the pull elbow going right on top of the wall anchor bolt doesn't look so good to me.

 

[alvineagle]

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