I have a project where the electrical work is a bit behind schedule. Not the electrician’s fault. It’s cool. All the wiring has been roughed through the house (renovation) and is all hanging in the basement. Thursday he will be running them along and through the joists, to the panel. Most of the wires enter the basement very close to one of the foundation walls.
So, rather than running the wires along side the joists, or boring holes (lots) through the joists (framing changes direction) and fishing wires above/ around ductwork, I am thinking about running the wires (romex) in a trough along the foundation wall. My thinking is to bundle (?) them together, and place them in a 4″ pvc pipe, cut in half along its length and supported by the plastic/pvc hooks that are made for supporting pipes. We’re talking an assortment of about 15 cables of 12/2, 12/3 and 8/3.
Is this code/ acceptable? Is there another/ better way to do this? I know the wires cannot just be nailed to the underside of the joists. It is and will always be an unfinished basement.
It is the first time I am using this electrician, He is good and if I suggest something he is great. He just won’t volunteer options.
Hope someone here can help.
Frankie
Richard E. Grant as Simon Marchmont – Posh Nosh
Replies
If the wires are bundled together, by code , their ampacity must be derated. I would run the idea by the inspector as well as your electrician.
Chuck
Thank you for your quick reply.Okay, I won't bundle the wires. I just thought this might make a neater apperance. Instead they can just lay loosly in the 1/2 pipe. Does that make a difference? Shoud I use a bigger pipe?Frankie
Experiment with the placing of the ingredients on the plate. Try the mozzarella on the left, the tomato in the middle, the avocado on the right. Have fun. Then decide it goes tomato, mozzarella, avocado. Anything else looks stupid.
Richard E. Grant as Simon Marchmont - Posh Nosh
I'm not an inspector. That said,your one-half pipe solution seems to be a homemade non-metallic auxiliary gutter or raceway, which means that the ampacity must still be adjusted for the number of current carrying conductors present.
Also, the pipe would have to be made of the proper material [ code says flame retardant] and supported at intervals no exceeding 3 feet.[2005 NEC 366.30 B].
The derating factors are found in table 310.15 [B][2][A] , also of the 2005 edition of the NEC.
to paraphrase the table--------
4-6 conductors 80% of normal ampacity
7-9 70%
10-20 50%
21-30 45%
31-40 40%
41 & more 35%
As you can see, you pay a price for not allowing
the wire adequate space for cooling.
Perhaps the answer is to use a "running board". This is specifically allowed by code in unfinished basements as a means of running small cables[less than 2 #6s or 3#8s] perpendicular to the joists instead of boring holes.
This is great. Thank you.I feel like an idiot. Most of my work is in NYC and there isn't much call for this. So, could you please define "running board." I have an idea, but an idea is just not enough. When the electrician shows up, I want to have my ducks in a row. I want to have the material at hand or have one of my guys prep it for him.Does he staple the cables to the joists and then cover then with 3/4" ply" or does he nail 1x or 3/4" ply to the joists and then staple the cables to it? Am I on the right track?Dang, I feel stupid. Thank you once again,Frankie
Experiment with the placing of the ingredients on the plate. Try the mozzarella on the left, the tomato in the middle, the avocado on the right. Have fun. Then decide it goes tomato, mozzarella, avocado. Anything else looks stupid.
Richard E. Grant as Simon Marchmont - Posh Nosh
I would describe the "running board", as it is referred to in the code, as a board that crosses the joists and gives a place to staple your non-metallic cables.
Sort of a "highway" for the cables to run on and be supported to.
You are the BEST! So cool. Thank you once again for your help.I have the material on-site, so now I know what my laborer is doing tomorrow!I appreciate all the help and patience.Frankie
Experiment with the placing of the ingredients on the plate. Try the mozzarella on the left, the tomato in the middle, the avocado on the right. Have fun. Then decide it goes tomato, mozzarella, avocado. Anything else looks stupid.
Richard E. Grant as Simon Marchmont - Posh Nosh