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Do I need conduit?

5K views 20 replies 9 participants last post by  Stubbie 
#1 ·
So I installed a 220v outlet in my garage. It has 2 #10 hots and a #10 ground. I was able to pull the wire through existing conduit all the way into the garage. But where I wanted the outlet, I cut through the drywall about 15' and just put the wires into the wall, then caulked up the cut, put masking tape over it and painted over it. I know this probably isn't up to code, but is there any risk to this? I'm using a 30amp breaker so if the wires start to heat up from load it'll trip the breaker. Unless I have a flying shard of metal that shoots through the wall, I don't see how this could pose any risks? Thought'd I'd ask the experts! Thanks in advance!
 
#2 ·
Holy Cr&p

First off, this IS a CODE VIOLATION. Why is it dangerous?

1) You say the breaker will trip if there is heat in the walls. That 30A circuit breaker at 240V could put 7200 watts into the wall continuously and never trip. Would you bury 4 running hair dryers in your wall? That what the equivalent is.

2) What happens if the wire was nicked by some metal object, such as a drywall screw? With no grounding the metal object will be energized. What if that screw holds a hook for a chain to hang on. Now you have an energized chain and a concrete floor with no GFCI protection. Sound like fun to me.

No wonder DIYers scare the crap out of trained electricians.

Mark
 
#4 ·
What about running some flexible conduit throughout the wall? Still only the 15' or so. I have some of the liquid tight stuff. I know there is still a slight risk sticking a nail or driving a screw through the conduit but not really because the conduit can move.
 
#5 · (Edited)
That will work as long as the conduit stays inside the wall not subject to any form of physical damage. You will need a transition box where the other existing conduit meets the liquid tight.


I cut through the drywall about 15' and just put the wires into the wall, then caulked up the cut, put masking tape over it and painted over it.
Is this how you did the individual wires .... :)
 

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#7 ·
I cut through the drywall about 15' and just put the wires into the wall, then caulked up the cut, put masking tape over it and painted over it.
Much as some people might wish this would be against code, in truth, it is allowed in single-family residential structures unless your AHJ has decided otherwise. Think about it. Does any house you've ever been in have conduit to every switch and box? No.

Commercial buildings are another story. That's why there is sometimes confusion about this. If you ask an electrician who does commercial/industrial all day he'll probably think, no you can't do that, because in his environments you can't. Residences see fewer changes and remodels and it's up to tradesmen to be careful when they cut into a wall or de-energize the house first because there isn't conduit protecting the wires.
 
#8 ·
Got a code section that says you can run individual conductors with out being in a raceway?
It has nothing to do with residential or commercial.
You are wrong and should not be giving electrical advice if this is the best you can do!
 
#13 ·
It has 2 #10 hots and a #10 ground. I was able to pull the wire through existing conduit all the way into the garage. But where I wanted the outlet, I cut through the drywall about 15' and just put the wires into the wall, then caulked up the cut, put masking tape over it and painted over it.
What part of the above quote from the OP implies he ran NM?
 
#17 ·
No offense intended to you guys, as we are all just guessing at what the original poster's installation actually is until he clarifies it, but my guess was certainly not that he notched a groove in his drywall, carefully laid the cable into it, and then covered over it. Unless he posts again to explain what he did do, who knows? The picture there is someone else's guess, not the original guy's.
 
#19 ·
I not even confused what the OP did say it in first place.

That something we don't even do that over here in France as well we do not run indivual conductors in the wall either.

It have to be in a cable or in conduit there is no other way around on this one. ( save the debate about the T&K stuff that is antique stuff )

Merci,
Marc
 
#20 ·
Ok... To clarify, I used a rotozip and cut a line through the drywall, where the studs were I just cut the drywall down to the stud and then put the wires in one at a time and just packed them in where the studs were. Though the safety side of me got the better of me. I ripped out all the drywall and am installing the liquid tight conduit. Better safe than sorry!
 
#21 ·
Glad to hear your interested in doing the installation so that it is code compliant and in turn will make the wiring safe. It's very easy to make poor judgement with electrical installations if your not a professional. That's why this forum exists ... to help those who are responsible enough to come here and ask how to do an electrical installation so that it is safe and code compliant.
The lesson here is to ask before your do ... :thumbsup:
 
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