How do I properly run electrical circuits from my garage to my adjoining basement??

Question

I am finishing my basement in my 3 story townhouse and am preparing an application for an electrical permit. The service panel (electrical box) is in my garage (same story/floor as the basement). The basement room I'm going to finish is directly behind the garage. I want to run new circuits from the service panel to the basement by running NM cable along the concrete garage wall, through the drywall, and into the basement room.

Here's my question? Can I run NM cable along the concrete walls of my garage without covering them up? What about metal conduit? Can you run NM electrical wiring through conduit? .

1. I'm not afraid of getting sued by any unions (incidentally, I am a Pennsylvania and New Jersey attorney). I'm the homeowner.
2. I've already applied for a building permit (which was approved), and my framing is 90% complete). When I picked up my building permit, I inquired about the electrical permit and was advised that I may perform my own electrical work so long as I do not do any work beyond the service panel. In other words, I can do all the wiring from the service panel to my basement room.
3. Before I (or any electrician) begins electrical work, an electrical plan must be submitted. That is the stage I am at.
4. I have purchased two books on home electrical wiring. They are very helpful indeed. I even read the 2005 NEC Code book.
5. I have considered installing a subpanel. My 200A service panel can also be used.
6. My research (and the majority of you) tells me you can't run NM cable through conduit, despite one response saying its okay.

Answer 1

Would you take legal advise from the untrained, unqualified, people on yahoo? Be careful with the electrical advise.

NM in the code book is covered by article 334. It can be used where not subject to physical damage. I would put it in conduit along the cement wall to protect it. 334.15B. That article tells you that putting NM in conduit is perfectly ok. Thinwall (emt) metal conduit is fine. If you use PVC conduit it must be schedule 80. For conduit size, remember you can't go over 40% full in the conduit. Start the conduit in the panel and end it in a J box at the other end. If metal, bond that box to one of the ground wires. Email me if you need more advise.

I don't know your state or local codes and those could make a difference. Chicago for instance does not allow NM at all.

Answer 2

My experience (limited) has been that the conduit is used to protect wires in walls where other accesses are present (like sharing space with plumbing or HVAC vents), to prevent someone from drilling or nailing into the wire.

Conduit will also prevent the wires from becoming snagged on items being moved around in the garage. The wire is certainly safer inside the conduit when that tube is attached to the wall (rather than loose or fastened down only every few feet, etc.) I would venture to guess that 'loose' wire, especially near the floor, would not pass building codes.

Getting it up higher (along the corner between the wall and ceiling, for example) makes it even harder to disturb.

Of course, add new circut breakers to the service panel so you don't overload current circuts. My electrician friend (who supervised while I wired new outlets in my garage), adivsed me to run the wire, and then work from the outlets BACK towards the service panel, so that you are always handling dead wires until the last minute. Even had me attach the black wire to the new circut breaker switch BEFORE I snapped it into the service panel.

Answer 3

You can run NM inside the walls - drilling holes in the studs or ceiling joists so it is protected. It needs to be in conduit when run along concrete walls. Romex will be hard to pull through conduit so why not set a junction box or sub panel in the new room so you can run the feed to it, and run the romex to the outlets and switch locations. Depending on the size of your room you may be able to get it done with one circuit - assuming no electric heat or high draw needs (shop tools etc.) You also fire caulk the hole you make to enter the new room from the garage (this is a fire wall and can not have open penetrations).

Answer 4

There's a book at the local Home Depot that covers all the basic wiring circuitry to help you. The local library also has similar books. Get one of those. The real problem will come when (heaven forbid) you have an electrical mishap and your home insurance finds out "you" did the wiring. That may cause problems collecting any compensation for damages. Check your house policy first to see what it says or better yet call your insurance agent. Secondly, better hope the local Electrical Union doesn't find out you're doing "their" work without a license. They can and will sue you over such matters. Remember what happened to the NY Governor when he saw a manhole cover not sitting properly and he just tapped it with his foot and was seen by one union member. He was sued! Unions are powerful and will do anything to prove they are in control and not you or I. Be careful.

Answer 5

If you are using metal conduit, I would recommend that you use individual wires instead of cable. Plastic conduit will accept the NM cable more readily. Just use a good lubricant to help with the pulling. You can use metal conduit with the NM cable, but I don't like the way it pulls.
I am not sure about the codes in your area, but if you are the homeowner, here you can run the NM along the concrete wall.
Wire Mold(R) can be used very easily also.

Answer 6

You can run NM over concrete, but I would take care that it can't be abused by cars or car doors. So, run it up high where things can't bash it. Ideally, that would permit you to attach it to wood rather than concrete, as securing cable (or anything else) to concrete is a pain in the tail. A possible variation: use conduit, pull THHN wire through it, and when you get past the concrete, use NM from there.

Answer 7

'NM` cable must be 'protected from damamge`
according to Code.
Talk to the local inspector. Some permit the use of
the cable exposed above 6' AFF., some require a
shield, and some will call for raceway.

Answer 8

No short cuts. Call a licensed electrician and he will know how without you getting electrocuted.

Answer 9

dont know about NM butt thnn can be run thru counduit, use an open raceway, U shaped, should be ok in that,