outside wiring question

andrew79 · 01-01-2013, 01:42 PM

So as some of the regulars here know I don't do much residential work so I thought is pick a few brains. We recently bought a older home and between the initial interior reno's and the Comming of winter I haven't had a chance to poke around outside much. A new 200a service was installed for some unknown reason(all gas appliances except hottub) but I'm not going to complain as you can never have enough power. What a noticed first is that the garage and some interior lights are on the same circuit. So I figure first order of business is to fix this up as I would have needed more power for my woodshop anyways. I have a super low roof so I couldn't figure out how they got the new power to the opposite corner of the house for the hottub when they did the panel upgrade. I did some checking today and found they ran a sealtight down the outside of the house along with some exposed nmwu outdoor cable, no pipes no protection for the kitchen reno they did(work done by electrician I'm told). Question is how often do you guys see circuits added in like this. I'm thinking I may cut it back and run it all in PVC along with my new power for garage. In all honesty they put the new panel in the worst possible spot the could have for acess.

k_buz · 01-01-2013, 01:55 PM

Basements and workable attics are common in my area so its usually pretty easy to get a circuit where it needs to be without exposed wiring on the outside of a home.

I hope I answered the question you were asking.

jbfan · 01-01-2013, 01:57 PM

I've seen, and did it one time for a hot tub.

Old house means plaster and that has its own issues if you start cutting to get wires from one side to the other.

Jim Port · 01-01-2013, 02:02 PM

Wouldn't be my first choice, but like any other work you need to deal with the field conditions. Often times budget dictates the way to get something done. They might have been able to run other ways, but at a much greater cost.

andrew79 · 01-01-2013, 02:23 PM

Well to get to the attic they would have to go from the basement through the first floor. Problem at that point is I have a low cottage roof with only 48 inches at peak. I put a pot light in two and a half feet from the spot in the attic above the panel and I only had 16inches clearance there( thank goodness I'm thin). I guess I was mainly wondering if you guys see inspectors pass exposed cable on house exteriors.

Jim Port · 01-01-2013, 02:24 PM

Not too often seen, but if not subject to damage it is allowed.