PVC Conduit.

[Micscience]

Hey guys, I wanted to know if I can run pvc conduit along the outside of my house. My panel is in the basement and my idea was to run the conduit outside the house to two opposite ends for where I am installing mini splits.

On the pic I attached my plan was to drill a hole above the basement window and then run pvc conduit straight up about 16 feet then split the conduit so it can go left and right to two different bedrooms. Please help

 

[Micscience]

The pic is to big to upload.

 

[PCustoms]

Yes, PVC outside is allowable.

 

[mike93lx]

Yes. If the run is long, adding an expansion joint will be prudent as the conduit will grow when it heats up in the weathet/sun

 

[Micscience]

Ok that is what I thought but I started doubting it after a Google search. All the pvc was on the foundation.

Thanks fellas

 

[Micscience]

I just looked up the expansion joint. Is there a section where the expansion joint would be Ideal? The distance of the circuit is going to be roughly around 90 feet or little bit less and I am going to add 3 90 degree elbows per run.

 

[alfredeneuman]

my plan was to drill a hole above the basement window

Use Sch 80 pvc for first length due to the physical damage restrictions on Sch 40

 

[Yankeefarmer]

I just looked up the expansion joint. Is there a section where the expansion joint would be Ideal? The distance of the circuit is going to be roughly around 90 feet or little bit less and I am going to add 3 90 degree elbows per run.

You described your installation as a tee where it exits the building, with one run going right, and another left. The exit will be stationary, constrained by the wall penetration. Put an expansion joint in each of the horizontal runs. Doesn’t really matter where, but I’d likely locate it close to the tee or towards the middle of the run, wherever convenient.

 

[Firebrick43]

Make sure you use a wire rated for wet locations such as THWN

 

[dscheidt]

pvc requires lots of support on horizontal runs to keep from sagging. I'd use EMT.

 

[Micscience]

I like the expansion pipe on the horizontal Tee idea. The wire I grabbed was THHN. I tried researching and it was a never ending road so I had to make a choice.

So I have one of the room's pretty much almost done however I didn't notice at first my disconnect box says 240 volt though my mini split is a 115 volt 9,000. Would that be an issue? Does the disconnect have to match the voltage rating?

 

[mike93lx]

I like the expansion pipe on the horizontal Tee idea. The wire I grabbed was THHN. I tried researching and it was a never ending road so I had to make a choice.

So I have one of the room's pretty much almost done however I didn't notice at first my disconnect box says 240 volt though my mini split is a 115 volt 9,000. Would that be an issue? Does the disconnect have to match the voltage rating?

No, that disconnect is fine, you will just connect to one of the legs and leave the other empty.

I doubt 120v disconnects even exist (at least in the typical a/c disconnect format)

 

[PCustoms]

I like the expansion pipe on the horizontal Tee idea. The wire I grabbed was THHN.

You need to make sure it has a thwn rating.

 

[inphx]

Does the NEC require a GFCI outlet be installed within 25 feet of the outdoor AC unit for servicing purposes? Now;s the time for that.

 

[Steve W.]

Even if NEC does not require it, it only makes sense to do it.

.

 

[mike93lx]

Since the a/c is 120v, installing a convenience receptacle prior to the disconnect would be easy

 

[Micscience]

That is good to hear I kept searching for 115 volt versions and they were no where to be found. I have two different type of disconnects. The one that I mounted is fusable and the other one is non fusable. I read the fused version doesn't come with a fuse so I might switch them.

As far as a outlet goes it would be mounted on top of the sun room roof. It would only serve a purpose if I am working up there.

 

[Norcal]

This would depend on the data plate on the unit, but if a fusible disco was not required, I would use a non fusible disco & switch both line & neutral, it is permitted by code as long as grounded, & ungrounded conductors are switched together. Bonus is they are not expensive.

 

[dscheidt]

That is good to hear I kept searching for 115 volt versions and they were no where to be found. I have two different type of disconnects. The one that I mounted is fusable and the other one is non fusable. I read the fused version doesn't come with a fuse so I might switch them.

As far as a outlet goes it would be mounted on top of the sun room roof. It would only serve a purpose if I am working up there.

disconnects are sold without fuses because it's very common to put in a disconnect with a higher rating that is needed, and you'd need the fuses anyway. As was noted, you would only hook up one side of the disconnect. I'd put a fuse in the other side, too, because it's harder to lose it there. Future you might be pleased...

Code requires an outlet within 25' and at the same level, specifically so a tech can plug in service equipment without having to run a cord down or up a ladder. The disconnect probably has knockouts on the side, use a short bit of conduit and hang a box off the side. Also needs to be gfci protected.

 

[mike93lx]

The disconnect probably has knockouts on the side, use a short bit of conduit and hang a box off the side

I'd rock on offset ****** to make it as easy as possible