Can Romex be exposed under a house?

Romex is a brand name of non-metal sheathing wire. To give you an overview of what the National Electrical Code (NEC) regulations state, Romex wire shouldn't be left exposed anywhere in the house, be it the basement, attic, or the home itself.

Can you run Romex underneath a house?

It is okay to staple Romex along the floor joists, provided you keep it at a safe distance from the edge. This will help you protect it from screws and nails and any critters that may be crawling along the edges – since that is where insects usually decide to burrow. You can also run Romex THORUGH floor joists.

Why can't Romex be exposed?

Sheathing on Romex is made of tough polyvinyl chloride (PVC) thermoplastic. The sheathing on both 14 and 12 AWG wire is 19 mils thick. Still, no matter how strong the NM sheathing, it is not meant for exposed applications.

Is Romex safe underground?

Romex cannot be used in the situation you describe as buried conduit is considered a wet location. You must use conductors such as THWN. Also, minimum burial depth for conduit (PVC I assume) is 18", unless you run rigid or IMC, in which case you can go a minimum of 6".

Can Romex be stapled to the bottom of floor joists?

You're free to staple wires running along the edge (even bottom) of the joist. In the 1968 code (probably earlier) it was already required in unfinished basements to run them on running boards or through holes. Thank you rnatalie! Yes, i am referring to the romex running perpendicular to the floor joist.

Should Romex Be Stapled Neatly? DOES IT MATTER??

Can Romex be exposed in unfinished basement?

Romex is fine when it is inside a wall/ceiling/floor because it is protected from puncture/cuts/etc. but if it is just running along the exposed walls of a basement that is not up to code.

Does wiring in crawl space need conduit?

In any given crawl space, wires should be taught – not tangling. The best way to do that is by using a conduit. When using a conduit, Code requires that it is supported every 4.5 feet (or less) to make sure that the conduit is properly secured.

At what height can Romex be exposed?

Exposed nonmetallic sheathed cable below 8 feet above the floor that enters the top or bottom of a panelboard shall be protected from physical damage by conduit, raceway, 1/2" plywood or 1/2" drywall."

Is it legal to run Romex in conduit?

No, you can not run your Romex wiring in conduits. What you're looking at in the code book is referring to THHN and other wiring, that while insulated with a single coat is not insulated with a second covering and bound to 2 or 3 other wires.

Can Romex be encased in concrete?

Yes, Romex can pass through concrete without any additional protection, but it should not be exposed to a situation where it may suffer physical damage.

Can Romex be exposed in detached garage?

Exposed NM, NMC and NMS cable are allowed to be run in “one- and two-family dwellings, their attached or detached garages, and their storage buildings” by the National Electrical Code (NEC 334.10 and 334.15).

Can I use Romex on a porch?

“Romex” (NM) does not belong in conduit, and it is not allowed for use in damp/wet locations. So the answer to your question is “no,” but this wiring method is improper for exterior lighting. What Jeff said as you should never double insulate conductors.

Can you use Romex under a deck?

The Wire. We have discussed Romex wires quite a bit in our blog, but it is important to note here that you can't just run Romex wire when running electrical wire under outdoor decks. Yes, it's economical and is a nonmetallic wire, but Romex isn't suitable for outside use.

Does wire under house have to be in conduit?

The answer is no. Nor does it need to run inside a conduit. It would not be subject to physical abuse as long as it was kept between the joists. The standard NM cable of today has conductors with a THHN rating.

Can you run wire under floor joists?

Code says that you may not staple wires to the bottom of a floor joist unless the wire is 6-2, 8-3, or larger. Smaller wires must be run through bored holes or be attached to a running board.

Can you run electrical wire through floor joists?

You can safely drill joists for electrical and plumbing runs without weakening the joists, if you follow the rules.

Can I run Romex in a crawl space?

If your crawl space is normally dry, you can use non-metallic wires such as Romex.

Can you use Romex in metal boxes?

Even if the device does not complete the ground, Romex or NM wiring can always be used with metal electrical boxes by attaching the bare or green grounding wire to the box by a screw.

Is Exposed Romex OK?

Romex is a brand name of non-metal sheathing wire. To give you an overview of what the National Electrical Code (NEC) regulations state, Romex wire shouldn't be left exposed anywhere in the house, be it the basement, attic, or the home itself.

Can electrical wires be exposed in garage?

In a house or a finished garage, electrical cable is protected from damage by permanent wallcoverings like drywall, plaster or even wood, but that's not the case in an unfinished garage. The key to safe, code-compliant exposed wiring is to use the framing members to protect and support the wires.

Can I put an electrical junction box in a crawl space?

You Can Add a Junction Box to a Crawl Space

Yes, you can put your junction box in a crawl space. At the same time, the biggest concern you need to think about is the accessibility of the junction box. You need to make sure that people can easily get to the junction box if something is wrong.

Can Romex get wet?

In most homes, ROMEX® wire is used for electricity, where the copper ground wire is wrapped in paper and then, in turn, wrapped in the live and neutral wires. If this wiring is exposed either through a break in the plastic coating or even at the socket, the moisture can be soaked up by the paper, creating rust.