[downunder]

I want to change my outside lighting from the traditional single fixture at the back door with a junction box then run a short line (about 20 ft) to the corner of the house with either a sodium HP light or motion flood light. I have some armored cable but I was thinking running regular wire in some pvc conduit. I understand there are some particular requirements on electrical pvc compared to pvc for water lines.

Any thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

 

[a7ecorsair]

I want to change my outside lighting from the traditional single fixture at the back door with a junction box then run a short line (about 20 ft) to the corner of the house with either a sodium HP light or motion flood light. I have some armored cable but I was thinking running regular wire in some pvc conduit. I understand there are some particular requirements on electrical pvc compared to pvc for water lines.

Any thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

Electrical conduit doesn't require the use of purple primer. PVC conduit is easy to work with but like all electrical work there are code requirements.

 

[Missouri Bound]

Pvc is a good choice. When you run metal conduit you have a built in ground. When you run PVC you must add a ground wire to your circuit....not really a big deal, just pull another wire (green) and you will be fine. And any device you add must be grounded as well with the ground wire.

 

[downunder]

Thanks for the input. I just want to get the light away from the door far enough to keep the bugs from drawing to the door for one thing. Also, I disconnected a yard security light that did not serve its purpose anymore. It was about 80 feet from the back door at the corner of the yard. The magnolia in front of it has grown in the last 20 years which blocks light to the back door and the car was broken into in the driveway since the perps had a nice light to work under. Instead, I want to put a security light on the corner of the house in addition to a couple of motion sensor flood lights. So I need to run conduit about twenty feet or so either side of the back door, or at least to the corner of the house by the driveway. I have some BX left over from a job in the greenhouse and planned to use it but the pvc will paint easier and look a little better, even though it is on the back side. If this was on the front, I would run through the attic and drop down through the soffit.

MB-
I am going to run just regular romex but put it in the conduit since it will be outside.

 

[jbfan]

.

MB-
I am going to run just regular romex but put it in the conduit since it will be outside.

That you can not do!
Can you get into the attic and run the romex to the corner?

 

[downunder]

Attic-
I'd rather not 'till winter. But for learning, why not the conduit? Can I go with the BX?

 

[Techy]

the conduit is okay, but romex is NOT allowed outside, even in conduit.

 

[J. V.]

PVC will sag in the sun and look like crap on an outside wall. EMT looks the best and requires less strapping.

 

[Missouri Bound]

Bx is not allowed outside either. And you can't use romex, bx, or uf in a conduit. Either run cable (uf) or run conduit with individual conductors.....but not both..

 

[jbfan]

Attic-
I'd rather not 'till winter. But for learning, why not the conduit? Can I go with the BX?

I know what you mean right there!

 

[downunder]

J.V.-
I respect the knowledge here but I have a pragmatic streak. If my plan is unsafe I really do want to know, but considering that this is on the back porch under the overhang and only maybe twenty feet, I don't think that it will be unattractive if I paint the pvc when I paint the house as soon as I can get to it. I just figured the pvc would paint better and I was planning on installing several straps along the way.

I don't move as flexible as I used to, not to mention the heat in the attic so I really didn't want to get up there, even in the winter unless I have to. Actually, I probably would rather drop two sheets of trim from the fascia on the outside (or drill a hole and fish it) than get way over into the 12 inch clearance over the fascia from the attic. As long as I'm nearly 60, 30 lbs overweight, and acquainted with arth, burs, and most of the "itis" clan, I just don't see that happening!:no:

As far as romex outside, I did not know that. It seems that three wires wrapped in another layer (of the romex) and then inside the conduit would be as safe as three individual conductors.

I thought that BX is basically flexible conduit. Not so I guess. What I know as BX is metal armored cable with individual conductors inside. Is that correct?

 

[jbfan]

You can run uf cable inside the conduit.
JV is right abot pvc sagging over time.
Under the eves might not sag as bad.