Romex inside Conduit, I'm sure this is bad.

[mpire]

I am changing the layout of the kitchen, moving the sink to the island, and will want to have power over there. I can run the bare romex under the floor and back up into the island no problem, but it would be nice to have conduit so I can add wire if necessary and mostly to protect it from downstairs neighbors cutting holes in the ceiling. Yeah, don't ask, it shouldn't be an issue but it is.

I need to run the dishwasher, garbage dispose-all, and maybe an outlet or two. I want to save room for a wine fridge... maybe.

So I think I need 3-4 runs of 14-2 romex. I can put in some conduit, probably 6 feet or so down the wall and back up inside the island.

Would you just run the bare romex, or do you think the conduit is a good idea?

 

[6768rogues]

Since there is a possibility of damage from below, I would use conduit and THHN individual wires. Is there a reason that you have to use Romex? I am not sure if there is a prohibition on using Romex in conduit, but there are limits to how full a conduit can be. With Romex, it will get full fast and it will be very hard to pull new wires through.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Since there is a possibility of damage from below, I would use conduit and THHN individual wires. Is there a reason that you have to use Romex? I am not sure if there is a prohibition on using Romex in conduit, but there are limits to how full a conduit can be. With Romex, it will get full fast and it will be very hard to pull new wires through.

no code prohibition on NM-b in conduit however your idea of using THWN instead is a good one...

 

[Bert_]

Run the romex through the floor like normal. Leave an empty PVC pipe if you feel the need.

I wouldn't do thhn for a short section of conduit. All it does is create a bunch of unnecessary splices. If you want thhn then run the conduit all the way from the panel to the outlets.

 

[aandpdan]

Use 12 gauge. Kitchen outlets are to be on a 20 amp circuit. Only a small price difference.

 

[Bert_]

Use 12 gauge. Kitchen outlets are to be on a 20 amp circuit. Only a small price difference.

Outlets that serve the countertop, yes. Dishwasher and garbage disposal do not have that requirement.

 

[signcrafter]

I believe(hopefully someone will confirm or correct me) that you are required to have an outlet on the island. So that would have to be 12 gauge wire. And if you have a sink in the island I believe that you need an outlet on each side of the sink.

 

[dscheidt]

I believe(hopefully someone will confirm or correct me) that you are required to have an outlet on the island. So that would have to be 12 gauge wire. And if you have a sink in the island I believe that you need an outlet on each side of the sink.

If the space on the side of the sink is big enough, yes. I believe that means 12", but I'd have to look it up to be sure. It also depends on the depth of the island and the sink.

 

[Falcon67]

If it's a decent size disposer, I'd run 12 for that. Ours is 3/4HP.

 

[shadycrew31]

If it's a decent size disposer, I'd run 12 for that. Ours is 3/4HP.

Agreed, easier to run it now than later and the price difference is negligible

 

[MoonRise]

I believe(hopefully someone will confirm or correct me) that you are required to have an outlet on the island. So that would have to be 12 gauge wire. And if you have a sink in the island I believe that you need an outlet on each side of the sink.

Sink or not, a kitchen island counts as counter space. And counter space -requires- outlet(s) per Code (except for possibly some pretty small counter spaces).

https://www.ecmweb.com/qampa/code-qa-9

https://www.ecmweb.com/qampa/code-qa-receptacle-rules-kitchen-island

And kitchen outlets are required to be on the (minimum) two dedicated 20 amp (hence 12 AWG copper wiring) circuits.

And the wiring must be "protected". If it is going from the floor and up the inside of an island, then it MUST be inside conduit if the island has cabinet space open to where the wiring is located. If you 'reasonably' suspect that the wiring may not be 'protected' just by being in a wall or ceiling, then conduit must be used.

And don't forget that the updated/additional circuit(s) will need both GFCI -and- AFCI protection.

So, in no particular order:

- No, you can't use 14 AWG wire/cable for the kitchen outlets.

- Yes, you need 'protection' for the wiring in the island.

- You need an electrical permit and inspections for the work.

- Depending on island counter size, you will need one or more outlets no matter what.

- Adding a dishwasher and a wine fridge and a garbage disposer as well as the required outlets (if you are putting all those things into an island, I think that the island is going to be big enough to require at least two outlets) is going to require multiple circuits.

 

[mpire]

All good information guys! Thanks for taking the time to respond.