I want to run 4 x 10-gauge conductors (Neutral, Ground, 2 Hots) from a
generator inlet box at the back of the house to a transfer panel in the
basement -- approx. 25 ft.

They will run parallel to the joists most of the way. Should I use
individual THHN conductors in conduit (metal? PVC? I understand that
3/4" is an appropriate size), or can I use 10-3WG NM-B stapled to the
sides of a joist?

Perce

I just did the same thing and used 10/3, so it better be okay!
It cannot run on the bottom of the joists, but on the side is fine.

Percival P. Cassidy wrote:
I want to run 4 x 10-gauge conductors (Neutral, Ground, 2 Hots) from a
generator inlet box at the back of the house to a transfer panel in the
basement -- approx. 25 ft.

They will run parallel to the joists most of the way. Should I use
individual THHN conductors in conduit (metal? PVC? I understand that
3/4" is an appropriate size), or can I use 10-3WG NM-B stapled to the
sides of a joist?

Perce


Either approach is perfectly acceptable so use whichever one suits you.
--
Tom H

On 05/07/05 05:02 pm HorneTD tossed the following ingredients into the
ever-growing pot of cybersoup:

I want to run 4 x 10-gauge conductors (Neutral, Ground, 2 Hots) from a
generator inlet box at the back of the house to a transfer panel in
the basement -- approx. 25 ft.

They will run parallel to the joists most of the way. Should I use
individual THHN conductors in conduit (metal? PVC? I understand that
3/4" is an appropriate size), or can I use 10-3WG NM-B stapled to the
sides of a joist?

Either approach is perfectly acceptable so use whichever one suits you.

OK. Thanks. Now I just thought of another question: if I use NM-B and
feed it down through the back of the inlet box and a hole in the siding,
how can I staple it within 8in. of the box? (Am I remembering the Code
correctly?) I won't be able to get at it to staple it until it emerges
from between the siding and the sheetrock into the space above the
suspended ceiling.

So does this mean I *must* use separate conductors in conduit instead?

Perce

Percival P. Cassidy ) said...

OK. Thanks. Now I just thought of another question: if I use NM-B and
feed it down through the back of the inlet box and a hole in the siding,
how can I staple it within 8in. of the box? (Am I remembering the Code
correctly?)

There should be an exception to the stapling rule for fished cable. I don't
know what part of the NEC says so, but in the CEC the rule for non-metalic
sheathed cable is 12-510(3):

Notwithstanding Subrules (1) and (2), where the cable is run as
concealed wiring such that it is impracticable to support it, the
cable shall be permitted to be fished and need not be supported
between boxes and fittings.

Subrule (1) describes the need to support the cable within 300 mm (12")
of a box or fitting and every 1.5 m (60") thereafter, and subrule (2)
states that cable run through holes in joists or studs are considered
to be supported.

--
Calvin Henry-Cotnam
"Never ascribe to malice what can equally be explained by incompetence."
- Napoleon
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In article , lid (Calvin Henry-Cotnam) wrote:
Percival P. Cassidy ) said...

OK. Thanks. Now I just thought of another question: if I use NM-B and
feed it down through the back of the inlet box and a hole in the siding,
how can I staple it within 8in. of the box? (Am I remembering the Code
correctly?)

There should be an exception to the stapling rule for fished cable. I don't
know what part of the NEC says so, but in the CEC the rule for non-metalic
sheathed cable is 12-510(3):

NEC Article 336-15: "Supports. [describes support/attachment requirements]
Exception No. 1: For concealed work in finished buildings ... where such
supporting is impracticable, it shall be permissible to fish the cable between
access points."

--
Regards,
Doug Miller (alphageek at milmac dot com)

Nobody ever left footprints in the sands of time by sitting on his butt.
And who wants to leave buttprints in the sands of time?