Ideas for running conduit

[knucks]

Bought a house recently and discovered that the previous owner(s) put

Dining, living room, half bath and kitchen lights on the same circuit as the microwave and two sump pumps, oh and the water softener and reverse osmosis (RO) system.

My lights flicker when the microwave and sump pump(s) kick on, which is how I discovered this.

It's all on a 15A breaker, 14/2 wire. Microwave is plugged into a 20A outlet

I don't yet know what I will do about the microwave, but the plan is to put the sump pumps, water softener and RO system on their own circuit and breaker. I don't know if 14/2 will suffice or since I am running new wire 12/3 is the way to go here, I have spare 15A and 20A breakers.

I've got a 200A panel in my garage, with a junction box (finished garage) and I'd rather not cut any drywall, so my plan is to run some MC along some other MC that exists.

For 'aesthetics' I am wondering if there is a conduit that would contain 2x MC lines, and if so, can someone send me a link to which? Additionally, should I spend the money for 12/3 or 12/2? I don't plan on hooking anything else up in the crawl space, so assuming the pumps are fine on a 15A, 14/2 is the way to go?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

You dont need 12/3 since youre running individual circuits.

12/2 is fine.

There is no advantage to using MC either. Stick with NM-b

 

[Jkcolo22]

You dont need 12/3 since youre running individual circuits.

12/2 is fine.

There is no advantage to using MC either. Stick with NM-b

I thought you couldn’t run NM-b in conduit?


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[Innovate1]

14 is fine for 15A circuit unless it isn't allowed in your area. Illinois doesn't allow less than 12. You could run NMb in conduit for protection on the wall or enclose it with some boards. I think most places just running a board along side it is considered good enough. Your best bet is to leave the run to the hardest to get to stuff and add circuits where it is easiest.

You can get flexible metal conduit in larger sizes if you really want to go that route.

 

[Brandon_oma#692]

14 is fine for 15A circuit unless it isn't allowed in your area. Illinois doesn't allow less than 12. ..........

This is news to me. Please explain.

 

[knucks]

Right on, based on what I can tell from the sump pumps, they're fine being on a 15A circuit.

Currently I have some 14/2 MC running across my garage ceiling to an outlet, which is very conveniently located near the crawl space entry, so I was thinking of having another 14/2 MC across the ceiling, parallel to it, then a junction box to go into the wall. Once on the other side, NM to the sump pump circuit.

The alternative is a shorter run, but more complicated because I have to drill through floor in a awkward location in the crawl space, same deal though, 14/2 Flexible MC to a jb, fish NM through the wall from the JB to the crawl space, hook into circuit..

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I thought you couldn’t run NM-b in conduit?

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not true. NM-b can be run in conduit INDOORS only but i would just forget the conduit or use conduit and THWN.

 

[Jkcolo22]

not true. NM-b can be run in conduit INDOORS only but i would just forget the conduit or use conduit and THWN.

Thank you. I’ve seen arguments both ways, but I’ve found you to be a reliable source of information.


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[alfredeneuman]

not true. NM-b can be run in conduit INDOORS only but i would just forget the conduit or use conduit and THWN.

The wire size of NM is taken from the widest point of the cable, and considered to be round. It makes for some huge conduit compared to single conductors.
I agree with Wylie. Use conduit and THWN.
If you've seen "arguments both ways", you've been going to the wrong websites

 

[knucks]

Is it a bad idea to run MC through PVC conduit? Just wondering if it'll look a little cleaner in my garage

 

[acer66]

Is it a bad idea to run MC through PVC conduit? Just wondering if it'll look a little cleaner in my garage

Do not know if that is up to code but if you use pvc use a lot of brackets because it will sag.

 

[Innovate1]

This is news to me. Please explain.

I know that many of the Illinois counties around St. Louis area require minimum 12 AWG and thought it was a state rule but I could be wrong on that. In a quick search I just came up with several counties in my area but didn't find a state rule. Best to check with your AHJ. I do know 14 is not allowed by code here but it is in all the big box stores.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Is it a bad idea to run MC through PVC conduit? Just wondering if it'll look a little cleaner in my garage

Why would you want to?

What is the point?

Youre choosing to make the work harder than it has to be.

Either run NM-b or MC WITHOUT conduit or use conduit and THWN.

No need to reinevnt the wheel.

 

[engineer2]

Wylie is a great electrician, so listen to him. Correct me if I'm wrong. You say 'conduit' so I assume your house is EMT. This make upgrades easy.

JMHO:
Dining, living room can be on one 15A circuit, unless you live in a mansion.
Half bath outlet should be on its own 20A circuit. The entire half-bath can be on its own 20 A circuit, if it's only the bathroom.
Kitchen lights can be on whatever is convenient, but not with any appliance or kitchen outlets. You might as well put it on its own circuit.
Microwave should be on its own 20A circuit.
Sump pumps should be on their own 15A circuits, non-GFCI. Is one the ejector pump? I put mine on its own circuit. Anything for maximum reliability.
Water softener and reverse osmosis (RO) system, whatever is convenient and logical.