[hpmaxim]

There's a GFI receptacle on the exterior of my house. The wires running to it are not like anything I've ever seen. I believe the wiring runs into my attic, except when its in the attic it appear to be old rubberized NM-B cable (both the sheath and the insulators). So without further ado... Here's a photo. What type of wire is this?

 

[joed]

Add your location. I have not seen anything like that in Canada.

 

[hpmaxim]

I'm on the East Coast of the US, and have not seen anything like it either. The house was built in 1947. I've seen wiring in the house that seems to range from armored with rubberized insulation, to aluminum wiring, to modern stuff. So figure it could be anything made in the last 70 years.

 

[sgip2000]

Looks like it could be older UF cable.

 

[Jim Port]

That is still available at the big box stores on rolls. I believe it is for direct burial. I have never used it.

 

[kbsparky]

THAT is submersible well pump cable. Not listed for premises wiring.

 

[hpmaxim]

Jim, so you agree with sgip2000 that its older UF? Any issues with it? What bothers me is that it appears to be connected to some old rubberized NM cable somewhere in the exterior wall (sandwiched between plaster on the inside and two layers of siding on the outside) -- with insulation in between. And to make matters worse, there are windows above it, so it has to go horizontal (through studs)... So if its stapled in, I'm done....

 

[mpoulton]

I'm with KB - I think it's submersible pump cable. The colors are different than usual, but they're also not normal for any other use. The construction looks exactly like pump cable.

 

[jagans]

That is not a waterproof box either.

Deres water gittin in dare Verne! lookidat RUST! :huh:

 

[Jim Port]

That is not a waterproof box either.

Deres water gittin in dare Verne! lookidat RUST! :huh:

Why do you think a box mounted in a wall needs to be waterproof?

 

[jlmran]

THAT is submersible well pump cable.

^ Yep

 

[joed]

I don't see any of the cable marked with white. It appears to be red, black and green. It can only be used 240 volt applications.

 

[mterry]

Why do you think a box mounted in a wall needs to be waterproof?

Exterior wall, should have exterior in-use type cover

 

[jlmran]

Exterior wall, should have exterior in-use type cover

The comment was about the box. The reply was about the box. Nobody mentioned the cover. The cover is not in the photo. Jim Port's comment/question was spot on.

Why is everybody so confused??:laughing:

 

[hpmaxim]

joed, I don't see any cable marked with white either. I thought that was a bit odd. I can't see why a cable intended for 240V would be an issue at 120V though (in fact, I didn't know there were cables intended for 240V vs 120V). Regular NM-B cable is rated to 600V. The stranded nature is kind of odd though.

There was a cover over it that I removed that consists of a rubber/foam gasket and a metal cover with a spring loaded hinged door (with rubber/foam gasket on the door). I removed the cover so that I could inspect everything, its going back on.

If I can figure out how to replace it, I'd love to, but like I said, its not exactly in an easy to get at place.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback.

 

[Daltex]

I feel your pain !! I wouldn't worry about the wire as it's fine for a 120 duplex but if it were me.... I'd splice a new 12-2 (in a J box) and run it down a stud space beside the window and then just pull the old receptical and put a cover plate over the old box. I don't think you'll have much luck running a new wire to the existing location without some plaster removal.

Good luck !!

 

[hpmaxim]

I have an unfinished basement. If I were going to replace the line, I'd probably drill a hole from the basement, up, fish a 10 gauge solid wire through it (I doub its more than a 2 foot run through the wall), and then pull some new 12-2 through that. Anything else would be a royal PITA.

Did I mention that I have two layers of siding? One is nice, easy vinyl, the other is one of the following: stone, stucco, or asbestos tile)-- NONE of which I want to attempt to go through.

 

[Oso954]

If I were going to replace the line,....

It is not listed for the purpose, and never has been. So, it is a code violation. Opinions of how hazardous it may or may not be, don't count.
Your safest course of action is find the box where that well wire starts, and disconnect it.

Then you can debate whether you pull new wire to that box, or install another box elsewhere.

 

[hpmaxim]

It is not listed for the purpose, and never has been. So, it is a code violation. Opinions of how hazardous it may or may not be, don't count.
Your safest course of action is find the box where that well wire starts, and disconnect it.

Then you can debate whether you pull new wire to that box, or install another box elsewhere.

Thanks for your advice. In case you didn't notice, the box is inside an insulated wall with plaster on one side and something very nasty on the other -- I don't know where exactly it is and don't know any non-destructive way of finding it. It would be much easier to run a new line than to find the place where the well wire starts.

My house is 65 years old, there are tons of things in it that do not meet current code. For example, I don't have a single GFI circuits inside the house, I have no AFI breakers. I have wire in there that does not have ground. I'm doing my best to correct what I can, but I'm not going to go crazy to disconnect a wire that I have no reason to believe has failed and is protected by a circuit breaker.

What is the catastrophic failure mode? The wire insulation fails, shorts between hot and ground or got and neutral, the circuit breaker fails to open the circuit and the insulation catches on fire from the heat? Pretty unlikely. The breaker is either Square D QO or Cutler Hammer CH breaker -- both of which have a pretty good reputation imho.

 

[Techy]

The issue is in case of a fire, that type of wire is not required to have insulation than does not give off toxic fumes, because it's not allowed indoors.