I just completed a metal 24 x 32 garage/shop building. The building is totaly detached from the residence. The building is "all" metal and the steel studs have 5/8 inch holes for wire runs. The walls and ceiling are not enclosed and will remain open. I plan to run romex for my shop tool circuit and lighting circuit without conduit as I would have a hard time drilling conduit size holes in the metal frame. The romex has a ground wire and I plan to ground all elements and use GFI's as well. All romex will be within the metal studs. Is there a problem in doing this or is it acceptable for detached steel garages?
Romex for a steel garage building?
- Thread starter Phil De
- Start date
Aceman
Well-known member
I see that the small MC armored cable will fit through the existing 5/8 inch holes in the steel studs. In some places, I'll have to drill through the studs which seems to be a formidable task. What type drill do you use to make holes in the sturdy steel studs?
Aceman
Well-known member
I'd use a Greenlee 7/8" ultra cutter.
Romex is acceptable as long as you protect the cable through the holes in the studs with bushings and you comply with support requirements in vertical runs and at boxes...which may be the tricky part. You can use cable ties to support Romex, you could drill two small holes on either side of the cable and use a cable tie passed through the stud at each support location.
Always remember, protect the cable.
Always remember, protect the cable.
im about to go through this myself. youve got the romex sheath, and also the wire covering, so there is some protection there. i wouldnt leave bare wire next to where your work bench or if you do a lot of cutting and grinding. a bolt head or piece of metal will put a dent in a tailgate, its for sure going to smash the romex.
As said before, the NM cable "Romex®" needs protection where it passes through a steel stud, I have never been comfortable with NM cable & steel studs, Acemans suggestion to use MC cable is a good one.
Zeke
Well-known member
You guys know the code better than I but the OP did say the walls were to remain open. In a garage I don't see Romex in open walls below 8" being compliant. What did I miss?
zmaxmotorsports
Well-known member
Buy/rent a stud punch and practice bending emt. 
rockwithjason
Well-known member
i was on one job where we the engineers decided to use romex in steel studs. even with the bushings i never trusted that set up.
JoeFin
Well-known member
You didn't miss a thing
Zeke is right - if the walls are to remain open every thing run with romex will have to be protected from Mechanical Damage 8' and below
Thanks for all of the comments. After reading them, I decided to use the MC armored cable throughout. I had not run this type of cable before so I was a little apprehensive. I already had a heavy duty cable cutter left over from sailing days and I bought an armored cable cutting tool. I also bought a good hole drill to cut the few places where I had to go through the heavy metal members. The job really went fast and was much easier than I expected. I'll probably croke in this place but when my heirs sell it, it will be up to code.
Aceman
Well-known member
Glad to hear it all worked out!