Wireway in combo with subpanel?

[DanielVetpath]

Hi Folks: I have a 100 amp subpanel in a block wall room with open ceiling and steel joists. Getting ready to run some circuits. I think I will use MC cable up in the joists for ease and convenience (running to lights, garage opener, etc). Wondering about short emt runs out of top of subpanel to a wireway/trough until I reach the height of the joists and then MC cable from there. Poor choice, just wrong, frowned upon, bad technique? If okay, use thhn from panel to trough (creates unnecessary wire junction?)? Use MC and remove metal sheathing for the wire run inside the emt (just wrong, expensive?)? Thanks for any guidance. This group is always a big help. Best, Daniel

 

[mike93lx]

Is the area above your panel.at risk of damage? If so, sure use the EMT, otherwise I think you are unnecessarily adding cost and complexity

 

[DanielVetpath]

Is the area above your panel.at risk of damage? If so, sure use the EMT, otherwise I think you are unnecessarily adding cost and complexity

The cables coming out of the top of the panel box would be against a side wall and then continue right up to the joists. Open in the joists, but not hanging below them. Are you thinking MC home runs? To be honest, I was thinking of aesthetics (MC coming out of the subpanel maybe looking "bad"). I can be swayed.

 

[mike93lx]

The cables coming out of the top of the panel box would be against a side wall and then continue right up to the joists. Open in the joists, but not hanging below them. Are you thinking MC home runs? To be honest, I was thinking of aesthetics (MC coming out of the subpanel maybe looking "bad"). I can be swayed.

EMT can look good, but if aestethics is the concern, I'd probably find a way to conceal them.

Panels normally have wires coming out of them, so I don't see it as a problem.

 

[DanielVetpath]

EMT can look good, but if aestethics is the concern, I'd probably find a way to conceal them.

Panels normally have wires coming out of them, so I don't see it as a problem.

I like the look of emt, but would like to use mc as much as possible in this case. Baseline would be MC right out of the panel. Thought it might look neater or be better to start with emt and then transition to mc. My description is pretty muddy

 

[mike93lx]

Why the desire to use MC?

 

[DanielVetpath]

Why the desire to use MC?

Speed and convenience primarily. There are I beams and joists with the construction that would be a little more tedious to work with/around.

 

[mike93lx]

Speed and convenience primarily. There are I beams and joists with the construction that would be a little more tedious to work with/around.

I guess my question was why MC over NM?

 

[DanielVetpath]

I guess my question was why MC over NM?

Got it! Increased protection would be the only thought. Maybe mc isn't necessary. There were some old NM runs there when I bought the building (stripped those circuits out).

 

[mike93lx]

Got it! Increased protection would be the only thought. Maybe mc isn't necessary. There were some old NM runs there when I bought the building (stripped those circuits out).

It does offer some increased abrasion resistance, but isn't a replacement for conduit.

Personally, I'd run NM-b if you have wood to staple to.

 

[Innovate1]

Around here it is common for the panel to be in the basement and a couple large PVC conduits are used to route the nm cables up to the joist area although in many cases the wires are exposed along the wall. You could also frame around them. Best to ask the AHJ what they require...

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Got it! Increased protection would be the only thought. Maybe mc isn't necessary. There were some old NM runs there when I bought the building (stripped those circuits out).

umm MC has the same protection requirements as NM so youre not gaining anything there

 

[mike93lx]

umm MC has the same protection requirements as NM so youre not gaining anything there

Code-wise, yes, but MC is at least a little more abrasion resistant and offers at least some protection against pests