Just curious if there is a certain temperature that it has to be in the winter time for you to be willing to install plastic boxes and run Romex in the winter time. The house is under roof but no doors or windows. A salamander helps very little when it gets down into the single digits. Boxes shatter easily and Romex gets damaged easier. If wind is blowing it is even colder. What are you guys thoughts?
Roping a house in cold weather
- Thread starter HEYDOG
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
I believe Southwire has some recommended temps. I'll see if I can find it
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
IMO, if you can pull nm cable in temps below 10?F you are more of a man than I
Sierrasparky
Senior Member
- Location
- USA
- Occupation
- Electrician ,contractor
if you are worried about shattering boxes , stay away from carlon regular blue.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
Way back when...I pulled the romex out of the box to start my day and the jacket shattered. We went someplace warmer.
kbsparky
Senior Member
- Location
- Delmarva, USA
Been there, done that. I remember rough-wiring a house in winter several years ago, and the sheath kept cracking open. 10/3 was the worst offender.
Finally packed it in, and called it a day, since the lost productivity was costing me more than it was worth.
We went back in warmer weather to finish the job.
Finally packed it in, and called it a day, since the lost productivity was costing me more than it was worth.
We went back in warmer weather to finish the job.
James L
Senior Member
- Location
- Kansas Cty, Mo, USA
- Occupation
- Electrician
When I was wiring new houses in extremely cold temps, I had 1,000' of wire warming up all the time. I knew what wire I'd be pulling the first part of the day, so I'd put that in the cab of my van on the way to work so it was warmer when I get there. When I got there, I'd take that wire out and put in another 1,000'. At break time another 1,000' in. Lunch time another 1,000' in
Just two hours worth of wire at a time. Warming it up just 15 or 20 degrees will do a lot to keep the sheathing from cracking.
As far as the boxes breaking, I'd suggest hitting the nails only. Or use front-nailers.
Here in the KC area, nobody uses plastic boxes for new houses, everyone uses fiberglass. Doesn't matter if it's winter or summer, miss the nail and that box is trash.
There comes a time when you've just gotta come in out of the cold, though. I never had a problem nailing boxes, drilling out, or pulling wire because I was constantly moving. But boy, when it was time to stand still for several minutes at a time making up 3- and 4-gang boxes, I was really looking to go home
Just two hours worth of wire at a time. Warming it up just 15 or 20 degrees will do a lot to keep the sheathing from cracking.
As far as the boxes breaking, I'd suggest hitting the nails only. Or use front-nailers.
Here in the KC area, nobody uses plastic boxes for new houses, everyone uses fiberglass. Doesn't matter if it's winter or summer, miss the nail and that box is trash.
There comes a time when you've just gotta come in out of the cold, though. I never had a problem nailing boxes, drilling out, or pulling wire because I was constantly moving. But boy, when it was time to stand still for several minutes at a time making up 3- and 4-gang boxes, I was really looking to go home
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jxofaltrds
Inspector Mike®
- Location
- Mike P. Columbus Ohio
- Occupation
- ESI, PI, RBO
Never wired without windows.
I also like the carpenters to be finished.
I found this when a HI asked me to help him with a new construction (code) inspection. Building, mechanical, plumbing and electrical.
Now how would you have like to have found out why the AFCI kept tripping in this 4000 SF home?
YES the nail went thought the NM.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
Had a GC that wanted me to start roping when the 2 story home was framed. No sheeting no roof. I declined.
junkhound
Senior Member
- Location
- Renton, WA
- Occupation
- EE, power electronics specialty
As far as the boxes breaking, I'd suggest hitting the nails only.
GOOD ONE!!
Never have had to worry about temp out here in PNW climate. OP question was one I've never considered.
Did install a garage door and added some circuits in -20F IL January one year, no problem with roping NM, but it sure was cold handling the garage door metal hardware!
Pulled a bunch of 4/0 cables in -45F in North Dakota at a missile site one time in the 70's, don't recall any problem there either, but pulled with winch. Everybody liked to gather around when we cadwelded the grounds <G>
GOOD ONE!!
Never have had to worry about temp out here in PNW climate. OP question was one I've never considered.
Did install a garage door and added some circuits in -20F IL January one year, no problem with roping NM, but it sure was cold handling the garage door metal hardware!
Pulled a bunch of 4/0 cables in -45F in North Dakota at a missile site one time in the 70's, don't recall any problem there either, but pulled with winch. Everybody liked to gather around when we cadwelded the grounds <G>
- Location
- Simi Valley, CA
We always roped houses with them like that, but then again the coldest it's gotten here in the last couple of months, was in the mid 60's.:happyyes:
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
There is another thread discussing whether NM, not rated for wet conditions, can even be installed before the building is weather tight.
No roof might be OK if it is summer in the desert.
I have also noticed that it it much more likely that the interior of a partially closed building will get wet if snow blows in and melts than just from rain falling.
jaylectricity
Senior Member
- Location
- Massachusetts
- Occupation
- licensed journeyman electrician
I always thought it was against code to run wire in a structure that wasn't weather-tight. I used to think doors, windows, roof and siding, but I guess tyvek is acceptable instead of shingles.
jxofaltrds
Inspector Mike®
- Location
- Mike P. Columbus Ohio
- Occupation
- ESI, PI, RBO
I think that it is more if the inspector sees any of the NM 'wet' he will make you remove all of it.
jaylectricity
Senior Member
- Location
- Massachusetts
- Occupation
- licensed journeyman electrician
110.11 maybe?
jaylectricity
Senior Member
- Location
- Massachusetts
- Occupation
- licensed journeyman electrician
According to your signature you are an inspector...so what would YOU do?
jxofaltrds
Inspector Mike®
- Location
- Mike P. Columbus Ohio
- Occupation
- ESI, PI, RBO
As much as I hate to assume. If I walked into a structure and saw the NM 'wet' I would ask it to be removed.
Have you ever seen Home Runs in a basement covered with water? The paper wicks the moisture up.
What if the electrician device'd the home? Nothing says he can't install devices and cover plates before drywall. What if just one of them was wet?
jaylectricity
Senior Member
- Location
- Massachusetts
- Occupation
- licensed journeyman electrician
I don't install unless the place will be dry. On a very rare occasion I have done some wiring knowing that the weather would be clear for the few days it would take them to get the windows and doors installed.
But mostly if I show up to do the work and it's not weather tight I'll tell the guy that he's not ready for me. Then I'll go home and play video games or whatever else I'd rather be doing.
But mostly if I show up to do the work and it's not weather tight I'll tell the guy that he's not ready for me. Then I'll go home and play video games or whatever else I'd rather be doing.
- Status