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Riv
Member
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# Posted: 13 Jul 2022 09:22am
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Hi,
My contractor in Maine said it's ok to run the electric ROMEX wiring under the cabin. The cabin is on piers. I don't think this is code and dangerous as animals can chew through this. (He said he'll charge $75 to put it in PVC piping if I want.)
Am I wrong?
Thank you.
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Tim_Ohio
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# Posted: 13 Jul 2022 09:37am
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I'd go with flexible metal conduit if it's under the cabin.
Mice will still chew through plastic conduit. I think the metal flexible conduit can be purchased with the wire already inside of it. Plastic inserts are install inside the cut ends to avoid damaging the insulation on the wire, where it is connected to a junction box.
Tim_Ohio
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Tim_Ohio
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# Posted: 13 Jul 2022 09:43am
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2) BX: BX is also known as Armor Clad or Flexible Metal Conduit cable. BX contains one or more individually insulated “hot†conductors, one individually insulated neutral conductor, and a ground wire, which may or may not be individually insulated.
detail picture BX wiring - Healthy Building Science - Environmental Consultants
BX is also known as Armor Clad or Flexible Metal Conduit cable.
BX is sheathed in a flexible metal spiral made either from aluminum or galvanized steel. BX provides all the advantages of NM cable plus some additional benefits.
The flexible metal sheathing is easy to install, about as easy as NM cable. It resists puncture by nails and screws, and, as I will describe later, is more resistant to being chewed through by rodents and other pests than NM cable and knob and tube.
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Tim_Ohio
Member
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# Posted: 13 Jul 2022 10:09am
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Here is a really good video of how to work with this type of conduit and wiring. It's not so bad, really and doesn't require any special tools.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL6m491jeLU
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spencerin
Member
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# Posted: 16 Jul 2022 01:41pm
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My understanding is actual ROMEX has to be enclosed in something per code. So, yes, it would be against code, but you may not be in an area where code is enforced. And I believe it needs to be enclosed because, yes, the jacket is easily damaged.
That said, I just had an electrician put wiring under my cabin, and he ran what I think was unenclosed direct-burial wire (not ROMEX). Now, my cabin has skirting, and the wire is pinned up into the joist bays, and he knows code, so I'm guessing that's fine. But, I'm also in an area that doesn't enforce code, either.
That all said, I'd pay the extra $75 if I were you.
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gcrank1
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# Posted: 16 Jul 2022 08:15pm - Edited by: gcrank1
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Do you want to have to go back under there to check the wiring regularly if you dont sheath it? Or worry about if it is turning into a safety issue?
If you go with your 'pro' keep All the paperwork (with his recommendation) for sometime future if you have problems or when 'a person of authority' maybe declares you not compliant.
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Brettny
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# Posted: 17 Jul 2022 07:08am
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You sure it's not UF-B? What color is it? Mice really isnt considered a "mechanical hazard" that would require romex be in conduit. Under the house may be exposed but it depends on how its ran and what you plan on doing to skin the bottom or skirt the underside.
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