I was planning on running a new circuit from the service panel in the basement up to the attached garage. This circuit will supply power to the garage door openers and two exterior lights. The garage is sheetrocked. What would be the best cable type for inside the garage? Could I just use armored cable? It would be run high up -- 8'. Or will I need to run conduit?

 

hotarc, When I do a garage thats drywalled (or sheetrocked) I pipe it with emt ( unless the customer wants everything hidden then thats different). Amoured cable(BX) is approved to be ran inside or outside the wall, as long as it's not subject to physical damaged and is not exposed to excessive moisture or dampness. If you have your code book handy check: Article 333-3 Uses permitted and Article 333-7 Support.





Fred

 

Thank you Fred, I will have to read up on those articles. Although after further consideration, I'm beginning to lean towards the emt conduit.

 

YOu might try a middle ground. Install Romex in the attic from the panel to each receptacle, switch or light using EMT, Flex or other form of protection to sleave the Romex while on the surface of the walls. Don't misunderstand the subject to physical damage. Physical damage exposure come in different degrees. If you check Metal Clad, AC cable, Romex, EMT and many others they all will mention not subject to physical damage. Only the AHJ can rule if an installation is subject to physical damage beyond the acceptable levels of a certain product. Some AHJs even allow Romex on the surface of a drywalled wall if high on the wall. Check in 334 for nonmetallic sheathed cable installations and you will find surface wiring approved for use with Romex cable.

Check with your AHJ to get a ruling as to the proper product to use. I would suspect the AHJ will accept either Romex or Romex sleaved in EMT coming through your garage ceiling down the wall to switches and receptacles depending on how low you are placing those receptacles. If you use EMT or other conduit to sleave the Romex then remember to secure that conduit to the wall and install a connector on the end of hte conduit where the Romex enters that conduit to protect from the sharp end of the EMT from cutting your Romex cable where it enters that conduit.

Hope this helps

Wg

 

Thanks for the excellent respones. I would run the cable to the space above the garage, except there is no access from above(finished 2nd floor).

Since there is no electrical inspector in town, there really isn't anybody to consult with. However, the wiring to the basement receptacles is NM tacked to running boards nailed to the concrete blocks. I was considering this method, although I would like a little additional protection in the garage. I think I'm just going to run emt.

 

EMT is fine just remember that EMT wiring system can not make tight turns easily and stay within the installation requirements. In dwellings there are many tight turns and places to transcend on plain.

Also remember that only sweep bends are allowed to be buried in a wall or ceiling that is not always accessible. LBs with cover plates are not allowed to be buried in a non accessible place like in a wall or ceiling.

Spend some extra time planning your conduit design so that you don't end up burying a condulet that is not allowed to be buried.

Good Luck

Wg