Conduit routing

[jakkyl]

I'm planning on adding a sub panel to my garage by routing 2-2-2-4 MHF through 2" PVC conduit from panel to panel through my crawl space.

The panel is in a small attached 'shed' and it's pretty tight in there. I originally bought a bunch of 2" PVC fittings only to realize there was no 2" knockout available on the bottom of the panel and I didn't want to go out the top or side. So, the plan right now is to use 1.5" until I'm clear and go back up to 2" after that.

My question is how do I get this conduit through to the crawl space? In the picture you will see around where I want to go through. Can I enlarge the bottom hole that already has romex going through it or do I need a separate hole for the conduit? If I have to make another hole, I'm probably going to have to remove or notch that crossing 2x4.

https://imgur.com/KqagZnw
https://imgur.com/Q3uTmSK

The crawl space is right on the other side of that wall to the left.

 

[pattenp]

If all this wiring is inside the structure why are you using MHF and conduit? Why not use SER? Even if inside and you want conduit, why use MHF? Use THHN or XHHW. What picture??

 

[jakkyl]

If all this wiring is inside the structure why are you using MHF and conduit? Why not use SER? Even if inside and you want conduit, why use MHF? Use THHN or XHHW. What picture??

https://imgur.com/KqagZnw
https://imgur.com/Q3uTmSK

I added links to the photos. The embedded photos were showing up for me, not sure what's going on.

I would have rather not used conduit. Everything I read seemed to point to MHF and conduit as the way to go, so that's what I'd planned on. I already have 50' of MHF, but if it would be much easier to go with something else and I could return all this conduit, I'd be open to that.

 

[3rdgendslmech]

If it's an attached building I would pull the conduit out and return it and use SER wire as long as you aren't going to bury it anywhere.
You say attached shed, is it like a one car garage or a tool room?

 

[jakkyl]

If it's an attached building I would pull the conduit out and return it and use SER wire as long as you aren't going to bury it anywhere.
You say attached shed, is it like a one car garage or a tool room?

Gotcha. No burying, it's a fairly straight shot diagonally across the joists from that wall to the garage wall.

Where the main panel is, it's really more of a utility closet attached to the back of the house. It has room enough for a push mower and a few shovels, with the main panel mounted on the wall. I'll be adding the sub panel to the two car garage.

If I were to switch to SER, that's fine without conduit from panel to panel, through the crawl space? What about when it exits the crawl space into the garage and up to the panel?

And is this what I would need to get? Looking for 90A at the sub.
https://www.wireandcableyourway.com/2-3-4-ground-ser-aluminum-building-wire.html

 

[pattenp]

If the run is all inside and above ground SER is the easiest way to go, it's installed in the same manner as NM(Romex). MHF is mainly an outdoor direct bury wire but when used inside needs to be in conduit. You're seeing MHF used and recommended because the run is to a detached structure or is where the feed will be below ground. The SER going through your crawl space will be fastened to the bottoms of the floor joist or along their sides. If you keep the SER within the wall cavity no conduit is need for protection. If the SER needs protection then run it in a conduit sleeve.

Edit: The SER you linked is what you need, 2-2-2-4 is good for 90A as long as no major portion of it is buried within insulation, if it is then it's limited to 75A. 10% of its length with a max of 10ft can be within insulation without amperage reduction.

 

[jakkyl]

If the run is all inside and above ground SER is the easiest way to go, it's installed in the same manner as NM(Romex). MHF is mainly an outdoor direct bury wire but when used inside needs to be in conduit. You're seeing MHF used and recommended because the run is to a detached structure or is where the feed will be below ground. The SER going through your crawl space will be fastened to the bottoms of the floor joist or along their sides. If you keep the SER within the wall cavity no conduit is need for protection. If the SER needs protection then run it in a conduit sleeve.

Ok, thanks. Sounds like SER is the way to go then. Hopefully I can return or sell the MHF I have.

I plan to surface mount the sub panel so the SER would not be within the wall cavity once entering the garage. It would be a short run (~3-4') once in the garage, is 2" conduit still recommended for that short of run? Is a garage somewhere that would require SCH 80 instead of 40 for that run if PVC?
I planned on using EMT for the normal outlets, and PVC for the feeder, just due to the size.

 

[pattenp]

It would be best to sleeve the SER if on the wall surface. You only need Sch80 if the conduit is likely to be subject to damage. 2" conduit is plenty large for the #2 SER. As a sleeve the conduit only needs to be large enough to get the wire through without damaging the jacket. If you have to make a turn using an LB body then the 2" is going to be your best bet.

 

[75gmck25]

If the SER is only exposed for a short distance (e.g., from the panel running up to the ceiling), it is unlikely to be subject to damage. Schedule 80 would be the most code compliant, but most folks would just use Schedule 40 and the inspector would be fine with it. The SER for your main panel may already be exposed where it enters the panel, and may not have any physical protection.

Another option would be to a put vertical 2"x4" from the top of the box to the ceiling on both sides, and then cover it with plywood or drywall it to create a chase that runs from the box to the ceiling. Some folks do this to hide/protect all the NM cable exiting the top of the box and going to the ceiling.

Bruce