Wire Under the House?

[ddawg16]

Notice how when one of us GJ's starts a new project, we go from answering questions to asking questions?

Cut to the chase...

The 2-story addition that I'm working on includes a crawl space. I am installing a junction box in that crawl space where a significant number of connections will be made to the new addition as well as the original house.

Anywhere I use THHN stranded wire, it will be in conduit....but I have some stuff that will come out of the junction box as Romex and go straight to the load.

Since I have romex running all over my attic....I'm going to assume that unprotected Romex in the crawl space of the house is ok as well?

I know it's a stupid question...but just making sure....just want to make sure there aren't some special guidlines to follow when doing it under the house.

Do rats like to chew on the stuff?

 

[Aceman]

Romex in the crawl is fine. I've personally only had to fix rodent damage on one service call, it was actually in the wall in a shithole single wide trailer with bigger problems than just rodents.

 

[pattenp]

Just an FYI. Code once upon a time allowed romex to be stapled to the bottom of floor joist in a crawl space but I believe the code has changed requiring that romex be pulled through bored holes in the joist when installed in a crawl space.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Just keep the peanut butter off the romex and think you will be okay.

 

[ddawg16]

Just an FYI. Code once upon a time allowed romex to be stapled to the bottom of floor joist in a crawl space but I believe the code has changed requiring that romex be pulled through bored holes in the joist when installed in a crawl space.

What do you do when the wire needs to travel parallel with the floor joist?

I plan to wire in some small strip lights in my crawl space....I think I'll hook those up with SO cord.

 

[Norcal]

What do you do when the wire needs to travel parallel with the floor joist?

I plan to wire in some small strip lights in my crawl space....I think I'll hook those up with SO cord.

334.15(C) 2008 NEC

(C) In Unfinished Basements and Crawl Spaces. Where
cable is run at angles with joists in unfinished basements
and crawl spaces, it shall be permissible to secure cables
not smaller than two 6 AWG or three 8 AWG conductors
directly to the lower edges of the joists. Smaller cables
shall be run either through bored holes in joists or on running
boards. NM cable installed on the wall of an unfinished
basement shall be permitted to be installed in a listed
conduit or tubing or shall be protected in accordance with
300.4. Conduit or tubing shall be provided with a suitable
insulating bushing or adapter at the point the cable enters
the raceway. The NM cable sheath shall extend through the
conduit or tubing and into the outlet or device box not less
than 6 mm (1⁄4 in.). The cable shall be secured within
300 mm (12 in.) of the point where the cable enters the
conduit or tubing. Metal conduit, tubing, and metal outlet
boxes shall be connected to an equipment grounding conductor.

Flexible cord cannot be used to substitute for perm wiring, BTW.

 

[ddawg16]

Flexible cord cannot be used to substitute for perm wiring, BTW.

And that is why I posted the thread..........little "Oh shits" like that can ruin a day....I hate doing things twice.

Thanks for the input.

So basically....any Romex running perpendicular to the joists has to go in holes or on a running board. Parallel, it just gets stapled up on the side....right?

 

[pattenp]

So basically....any Romex running perpendicular to the joists has to go in holes or on a running board. Parallel, it just gets stapled up on the side....right?

Correct.

 

[MrMark]

Yeah, the rules changed in 2008. You got it now. Did Cal just now switch to 2008 now that it's 2011?

 

[ddawg16]

Yeah, the rules changed in 2008. You got it now. Did Cal just now switch to 2008 now that it's 2011?

Maybe...a lot still depends on the building inspector.

Following the 2008 NEC is no big deal....I would rather do it now than later.

On a slightly related note regarding code and inspectors....

When he was inspecting my foundation he said my Ufer ground was wrong...said I needed 20' of rebar at the bottom...showed him the prints....it's 6 Awg copper wire OR rebar...he was cool about it....kind of the "Oh, Ok....learn something every day". I like my inspector and I find him quite fair......

On the Ufer....I did both copper wire and rebar....

 

[Norcal]

Yeah, the rules changed in 2008. You got it now. Did Cal just now switch to 2008 now that it's 2011?

Yeah the '08 is in effect as of January.