Replies

1. 
   MarkH | Nov 20, 2007 04:33am | #1

   I don't know, but conduit is not that bad to put in.

2. 
   DanH | Nov 20, 2007 04:55am | #2

   The wire must be protected from damage, generally from the floor to something like eight feet up, plus anywhere where stuff might be stacked against the wall. In an animal barn conduit cannot be used as a ground conductor (due to corrosion issues), but is still recommended to protect the wire. In most other situations I believe that metalic conduit can be used as the ground conductor.

   I'm not sure if smirf tubing qualifies as protective in these situations, but regular EMT metal conduit does, and I'm pretty sure that rigid plastic conduit does too.

   So you can generally use romex but run it through conduit where exposed. Be sure to use "bushings" (a box fitting without the box, eg) where cable enters steel conduit, to protect the romex insulation from abrasion.

   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader
1. 
   bhackford | Nov 20, 2007 05:40am | #5

   I thought no Romex in conduit?  Isn't this against NEC?  Thanks

1. 
   DanH | Nov 20, 2007 06:01am | #6

   Nope.
   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

1. 
   bhackford | Nov 20, 2007 06:39am | #8

   Would bx wire be ok as well with out conduit?  Thanks 

    

1. 
   DanH | Nov 20, 2007 07:12am | #9

   "BX" covers several different cables/flex conduits.  Depends.
   If your view never changes you're following the wrong leader

3. 
   IMERC | Nov 20, 2007 05:17am | #3

   MC style...

    

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

   WOW!!! What a Ride!
   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

4. 
   IMERC | Nov 20, 2007 05:19am | #4

   conduit is better...

    

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

   WOW!!! What a Ride!
   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

5. 
   BilljustBill | Nov 20, 2007 06:23am | #7

   We have a monthly flea market nearby, and I've found the flex metal conduit with No.12 copper inside.  I think it used to be called "Armor Flex".  I also found 20' lengths of just the hollow aluminum flex material to run my #6 wire from the breaker box to the wall mounted heater/air conditioner.

     I'm running this type of wiring in an outside wooden shed I'm currently building.  This way, the flea market purchases have made it more than economical, and with pests sure to try to find their way into the new shed, it's chew-proof.

     Most of the Box Stores carry the flex wiring; it's just expensive, but a dream to install.

      Bill