Does this call for uf cable?

[Mike Honcho]

in order to get wire from my panel to my enclosed porch, i have to go out of the house literally the length of a conduit body and then into the porch. so just to make this 6-8 inch jog, is uf required since its outside for that little bit? or can i legally get away with nm cable? thanks

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Do you have a picture of where its going/how its getting there?

 

[Mike Honcho]

Do you have a picture of where its going/how its getting there?

no i dont, easiest way i can explain it is out of the house in a conduit lb, right into the porch wall. the wire would only be outside for the size a 1/2 lb plus maybe 4 inches of conduit.

 

[pattenp]

If the conduit body is exposed to the weather where it can get wet, it is considered a wet location, even above ground. NEC 300.9. In reality it would probably never give you any problems, but by the NEC the NM is not allowed in wet or damp locations.

 

[Fyrme]

in order to get wire from my panel to my enclosed porch, i have to go out of the house literally the length of a conduit body and then into the porch. so just to make this 6-8 inch jog, is uf required since its outside for that little bit? or can i legally get away with nm cable? thanks

Yes. NM cable Is only approved for dry locations. And even if it is tucked in the corner 10' from any area rain could possibly go, If it is outdoors, it's considered a wet area.

However, you could run the NM cable into a short piece of Water tight flex conduit where it will be exposed.

 

[alfredeneuman]

However, you could run the NM cable into a short piece of Water tight flex conduit where it will be exposed.

All outdoor conduits are considered wet locations.

 

[Fyrme]

All outdoor conduits are considered wet locations.

I have no idea what you just said.
Conduits are not "wet locations"

However if you are saying all conduits are approved for wet locations, you would be incorrect.

 

[Syberia]

The inside of any type of conduit located outdoors, even if the conduit is a continuous piece of liquid tight flex, is considered a wet location. It is because of condensation that could occur inside the conduit.

 

[Fyrme]

I've been a commercially licensed Journeyman since 1998 and I've never heard nor read anywhere that the inside of a conduit is considered a wet location per NEC. I'm not saying that the possibilities of condensation are impossible, just saying that is not the context that NEC is referring to. I've pulled wire through many under ground pvc conduits full of water.

The term "wet location" as used in the NEC refers to the possibility electrical equipment being exposed to moisture externally. As in a bell box used for a receptacle outdoors, or a raceway inside a drive thru car wash.

Essentially NM cable is not rated for out door use due to the outer covering not being UV rated nor dense enough to protect the conductors inside. The conductors inside are either a THHN (Not water approved), T(W)N or TH(W)N, I don't recall which, but the two latter are the same insulation that is used on individual conductors pulled trough a "liquid tight" raceway or EMT, etc.... Which are approved for (W)et locations.

 

[Fyrme]

My online 2014 NEC code book is not working for me tonight, but This is what the definition is.

Damp Location:
Locations protected from weather and not subject to
saturation with water or other liquids but subject to
moderate degrees of moisture. Examples of such locations
include partially protected locations under canopies,
marquees, roofed pen porches, and like locations, and
interior locations subject to moderated degrees of moisture,
such as basements, some barns, and some cold storage
buildings.
Wet Locations:
Installations underground or in concrete slabs or masonry in
direct contact with the earth; in locations subject to saturation
with water or other liquids, such as vehicle washing areas;
and in unprotected locations exposed to weather

 

[alfredeneuman]

Conductors are rated either for "Dry Locations Only" or "Suitable for Wet Locations".
Damp locations still require the use of Wet Location rated conductors.

The Damp Location rating is meant for light fixtures and the like.

NM doesn't meet the requirements. The paper in the filler has a tendency to wick moisture,
and the marking is on the jacket, not the individual conductors, which is a requirement for the conductors to be rated for any suitability for moisture. They are listed only as 90ºC.

(I first became a Commercial Journeyman in 1974)

 

[Mike Honcho]

Conductors are rated either for "Dry Locations Only" or "Suitable for Wet Locations".
Damp locations still require the use of Wet Location rated conductors.

The Damp Location rating is meant for light fixtures and the like.

NM doesn't meet the requirements. The paper in the filler has a tendency to wick moisture,
and the marking is on the jacket, not the individual conductors, which is a requirement for the conductors to be rated for any suitability for moisture. They are listed only as 90ºC.

(I first became a Commercial Journeyman in 1974)

so anything going from inside the wall to an outside light fixture or outlet needs to be uf?

 

[alfredeneuman]

If run on the outside of the wall, yes.
If a box is installed IN the wall and the fixture is connected directly to the box, it's fine to use NM.

 

[Mike Honcho]

Hmm.....i used these, looks like ill be a changing wire. good to know.

 

[alfredeneuman]

If that is some sort of a plate used for siding, and the box is mounted within the wall, that's considered part of the wall surface.

 

[pattenp]

Read NEC 300.9 "Where raceways are installed in wet locations above grade, the interior of these raceways shall be considered a wet location".

I've been a commercially licensed Journeyman since 1998 and I've never heard nor read anywhere that the inside of a conduit is considered a wet location per NEC.

 

[Mike Honcho]

If that is some sort of a plate used for siding, and the box is mounted within the wall, that's considered part of the wall surface.

It doesnt mount in the wall, it's mounted to the wall surface to act as a j channel for the siding, and the electrical box.

 

[Mustang51js]

If the wire is inside that box then technically it's not outside and exposed to the weather. And if your sleaving the wire in pipe or an lb I wouldn't worry about that small amount.

 

[rburke65]

I'd run it and not worry about it. Code? No, but.....