Crawlspace wiring questions

[Mike1903]

Good day folks,
Had two questions:

1) need to run wiring from the panel to the sump pump in the crawlspace. The wire has to run perpendicular to the floor joists. I don’t want to drill holes in every single joist. Is there another code approved option to run it? Perhaps a conduit or metal casing wire or a busway with furring strips?

2) Crawlspace has about 3’-4’ headroom (it varies). Want to install lightening. Would you recommend low voltage led lightening all around or couple of high output led bulbs screwed into ceiling mounted outlets? Crawlspace is not used for any storage, so, not accessed frequently but would be nice to have some good lighting.

the run between panel and sump is about 50’.

No water in the crawlspace. The sump pump runs may be in Jan/Feb when water table rises from long rainy days.

Thank you!

 

[65ranchero]

I'm sure some members will ask how long of a run
Is the crawl space under cover or exposed to weather/ water ?

 

[acer66]

1)Busway and emt would be code compliant in the US.
2) I would use 4‘ led fixtures that can be daisy chained close to the foundation, girders etc so they are out of the way.

 

[pattenp]

If not running through bored holes you can use running boards to affix the cable to.

 

[Shiftless]

Here’s what I did.
I used EMT and these gasketted fixtures. Light is emitted to all sides as well as straight down over my sump.

.
I used EMT and these gasketted fixtures. Light is emitted to all sides as well as straight down over my sump.

 

[Mike1903]

If not running through bored holes you can use running boards to affix the cable to.

You mean running furring strips (say 1x3) perpendicular to the joist and then attaching the wire with staples to the strips?

 

[Mike1903]

Here’s what I did.
I used EMT and these gasketted fixtures. Light is emitted to all sides as well as straight down over my sump.

.
I used EMT and these gasketted fixtures. Light is emitted to all sides as well as straight down over my sump.

Looks good. What kind of wire did you run in that EMT?

 

[Shiftless]

Looks good. What kind of wire did you run in that EMT?

Thanks
Southwire THHN 14ga.
Three individual solid wires, black white and green. Run in half inch EMT. I have a bender and taught myself how to use it by watching YouTube videos.

 

[pattenp]

You mean running furring strips (say 1x3) perpendicular to the joist and then attaching the wire with staples to the strips?

Yes.

 

[Mike1903]

Thanks
Southwire THHN 14ga.
Three individual solid wires, black white and green. Run in half inch EMT. I have a bender and taught myself how to use it by watching YouTube videos.

Did you choose EMT instead of pvc so that you can make custom bends?

 

[Mike1903]

Yes.

I wonder if I can glue furring strips to the foundation with construction adhesive just below the joists and then staple the wiring? Besides the concern of adhesive failing over concern, any concerns with this approach?

 

[Shiftless]

Did you choose EMT instead of pvc so that you can make custom bends?

Yes
Also because in my mind it looks better. More professional. I’m certainly not a pro sparky but I admire well done EMT installations.

 

[larry4406]

Good info! My kitchen extension has a crawl space that will need to be wired, lit, and power for a sump pump so I am following along.

My access to the crawl space is a former basement window. I plan to put the light switch at the new (former window) entrance. Also, if the inspector requires me to wire the sump outlet with GFI protection, I plan to use a GFCI dead front mounted at the entrance so it can be easily inspected for power and reset without crawling in there.

Leviton 20 Amp 125-Volt Combo Self-Test Blank Face GFCI Outlet, White GFRBF-KW R98-GFRBF-0KW - The Home Depot

www.homedepot.com

 

[Terry D]

You may also attach a MC cable to the underside of the joists as long as it is supported at every joist and not subject to physical damage. NEC 330.15

 

[SlappyWhite]

Any reason not to drill? No right -angle drill or just the effort?

If it is effort, once you are in there I bet it turns out to be less work than most other methods. If you take the time to align the holes that cable pulls fairly easily.

 

[65ranchero]

I wonder if I can glue furring strips to the foundation with construction adhesive just below the joists and then staple the wiring? Besides the concern of adhesive failing over concern, any concerns with this approach?

If your going to do that what about using Tapcons or similar to hold wood to the foundation

Tapcon Concrete Anchors | #1 Choice of Professionals

Tapcon Concrete AnchorsTapcon is the #1 recognized screw anchor brand in the industry. The blue, corrosion-resistant coating enables them to withstand the harshest conditions.

www.tapcon.com

 

[yeldogt]

I see it run along the bottom all the time -- ideally along a wall or if there are central beams keeps it out of the way. Crawl is not an active space ..... even in basements it's common. My nephew just had to add strips (metal in his case) to get under all the wires and pipes in his newly built house

 

[exranger06]

FYI the receptacles need GFCI protection (210.8 (A)(4)), and the lighting, including hardwired lighting, also needs GFCI protection (210.8 (C)).

 

[Mike1903]

ZB

Any reason not to drill? No right -angle drill or just the effort?

If it is effort, once you are in there I bet it turns out to be less work than most other methods. If you take the time to align the holes that cable pulls fairly easily.

it is both. Plus the underside has insulation supposed with strings… so, need to mess around with it as well.
Great info in this thread… thx!

 

[Mike1903]

If your going to do that what about using Tapcons or similar to hold wood to the foundation

Tapcon Concrete Anchors | #1 Choice of Professionals

Tapcon Concrete AnchorsTapcon is the #1 recognized screw anchor brand in the industry. The blue, corrosion-resistant coating enables them to withstand the harshest conditions.

www.tapcon.com

Absolutely, couple of tapcons in each strip should be solid.

 

[dscheidt]

Good info! My kitchen extension has a crawl space that will need to be wired, lit, and power for a sump pump so I am following along.

My access to the crawl space is a former basement window. I plan to put the light switch at the new (former window) entrance. Also, if the inspector requires me to wire the sump outlet with GFI protection, I plan to use a GFCI dead front mounted at the entrance so it can be easily inspected for power and reset without crawling in there.

Leviton 20 Amp 125-Volt Combo Self-Test Blank Face GFCI Outlet, White GFRBF-KW R98-GFRBF-0KW - The Home Depot

www.homedepot.com

Use a GFCI breaker, and you won't have to go outside to check.

 

[ddawg16]

Gray PVC is cheap and easy. I'd use that with THWN Stranded wire. Later on if you want to add more wire....just pull them.

I always leave a pull string in my conduit just in case

 

[nadogail]

You could use Snake Tray and lay the cables in the tray. TapCon screws have been under rated for their versatility.