Is conduit required for wiring in a detached garage, or can the wire be run
to the outlet boxes in NM cable? I have exposed 2x4's with no drywall. Can
someone site a code reference? I am planning to add some additional wiring
to my garage and would like to do it correctly. I had seen something in an
old post about protecting wiring below 75".

Anybody help me out?

Ed

--
Message posted via http://www.homekb.com

In article 83b955b5ae717@uwe, "ejluhn720 via HomeKB.com" u43311@uwe wrote:
Is conduit required for wiring in a detached garage, or can the wire be run
to the outlet boxes in NM cable? I have exposed 2x4's with no drywall. Can
someone site a code reference? I am planning to add some additional wiring
to my garage and would like to do it correctly. I had seen something in an
old post about protecting wiring below 75".

National Electrical Code, Article 334. NM is fine in a detached garage. When
running it perpendicular to the studs, drill holes in the studs and feed the
cable through the holes. When running parallel to the studs, staple it to the
face of the studs (the wide side), not the edge. No need to put it in conduit.

"ejluhn720 via HomeKB.com" u43311@uwe wrote in message
news:83b955b5ae717@uwe...
Is conduit required for wiring in a detached garage, or can the wire be
run
to the outlet boxes in NM cable? I have exposed 2x4's with no drywall.
Can
someone site a code reference? I am planning to add some additional
wiring
to my garage and would like to do it correctly. I had seen something in
an
old post about protecting wiring below 75".

Anybody help me out?

Ed

--
Message posted via http://www.homekb.com



The NEC allows NM cable to be stapled on the sides of the 2x4's and drilled
through their centers. If you had drywall up and wanted to run NM on the
surface, you would protect it by sleeving it in PVC or EMT, etc.

"ejluhn720 via HomeKB.com" u43311@uwe wrote in message
news:83b955b5ae717@uwe...
Is conduit required for wiring in a detached garage, or can the wire be
run
to the outlet boxes in NM cable? I have exposed 2x4's with no drywall.
Can
someone site a code reference? I am planning to add some additional
wiring
to my garage and would like to do it correctly. I had seen something in
an
old post about protecting wiring below 75".

Anybody help me out?

Ed


I heard of anther electrical contractor failing inspection for this and on a
recent detached garage that I did my brother (An inspector) warned me about
using exposed Romex. Fortunately in my case the walls were going to be
drywalled. I am in New Jersey.

Article 334.10(1) specifies it is acceptable within dwelling units. A
detached garage is not a dwelling unit. Other structures must have a 15
minute thermal barrier as per 334.10(3).

I usually keep wiring, switches, and receptacles at 48" in garages as
gasoline vapors sit low and I use only metal boxes so there is no question
about fire rating. For exposed wiring I try to use EMT conduit (Metal)
whenever possible.

Your best bet is to contact your building department to get clarification on
the exposed Romex issue.

On 2008-05-06, ejluhn720 via HomeKB.com u43311@uwe wrote:

Is conduit required for wiring in a detached garage, or can the wire be run
to the outlet boxes in NM cable? I have exposed 2x4's with no drywall. Can
someone site a code reference? I am planning to add some additional wiring
to my garage and would like to do it correctly. I had seen something in an
old post about protecting wiring below 75".

Anybody help me out?

Take a look at http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=99016.
I agree with those who say that since a detached garage is not a
dwelling unit, the use of NM cable is subject to the requirements of
NEC 334.10(3). That means NM can only be used if covered by a 15
minute fire-rated finish, i.e. drywall. You could use MC instead.

Cheers, Wayne

Wayne, Others,
Thanks for the help. It looks as if all types of NM cable (NM, NMC, NMS)
are out as per the "dwelling" issue of a detached garage as per 334.10 . Then
conduit or metallic cable it is!

Ed

Wayne Whitney wrote:
Is conduit required for wiring in a detached garage, or can the wire be run
to the outlet boxes in NM cable? I have exposed 2x4's with no drywall. Can
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]

Anybody help me out?

Take a look at http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=99016.
I agree with those who say that since a detached garage is not a
dwelling unit, the use of NM cable is subject to the requirements of
NEC 334.10(3). That means NM can only be used if covered by a 15
minute fire-rated finish, i.e. drywall. You could use MC instead.

Cheers, Wayne

--
Message posted via HomeKB.com
http://www.homekb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/repair/200805/1

ejluhn720 via HomeKB.com wrote:
Wayne, Others,
Thanks for the help. It looks as if all types of NM cable (NM, NMC, NMS)
are out as per the "dwelling" issue of a detached garage as per 334.10 . Then
conduit or metallic cable it is!


Interesting what one learns on newsgroups.

You could also ask the inspector if they allow NM.


Wayne Whitney wrote:
Is conduit required for wiring in a detached garage, or can the wire be run
to the outlet boxes in NM cable? I have exposed 2x4's with no drywall. Can
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
Anybody help me out?
Take a look at http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=99016.
I agree with those who say that since a detached garage is not a
dwelling unit, the use of NM cable is subject to the requirements of
NEC 334.10(3). That means NM can only be used if covered by a 15
minute fire-rated finish, i.e. drywall. You could use MC instead.

Cheers, Wayne

On 2008-05-06, ejluhn720 via HomeKB.com u43311@uwe wrote:

Thanks for the help. It looks as if all types of NM cable (NM, NMC, NMS)
are out as per the "dwelling" issue of a detached garage as per 334.10 . Then
conduit or metallic cable it is!

Depending on how much wiring you need to do, you mind find it easier
to cover the NM with drywall--I don't think you'd need to drywall the
whole garage. On the other hand, I believe MC cable is easy to use,
but haven't tried it myself.

Cheers, Wayne

"Wayne Whitney" wrote in message
...
On 2008-05-06, ejluhn720 via HomeKB.com u43311@uwe wrote:

Thanks for the help. It looks as if all types of NM cable (NM, NMC, NMS)
are out as per the "dwelling" issue of a detached garage as per 334.10 .
Then
conduit or metallic cable it is!

Depending on how much wiring you need to do, you mind find it easier
to cover the NM with drywall--I don't think you'd need to drywall the
whole garage. On the other hand, I believe MC cable is easy to use,
but haven't tried it myself.

Cheers, Wayne



Also in some cities ( Like Chicago and burbs ) most all wiring must be in
metal
pipe and boxes inside of buildings.