wiring a barn house

[Stevenfyeager]

I will look at barn house this week. Planning on running everything in conduit. But for areas above 8', I suppose we could run UF without conduit like we can in livestock barn ?

 

[retirede]

It’s still a dwelling unit. What characteristics would warrant special wiring methods? Just curious.

 

[suemarkp]

The code does not say that cables over 8' high are proteced from damage. It will be your inspector's call as to what is exposed to physical damage.

 

[Little Bill]

I've wired a few of these and they all got wired same as a house. Actually, the living quarters is a house.

 

[Stevenfyeager]

It’s still a dwelling unit. What characteristics would warrant special wiring methods? Just curious.

some of the barn houses around here have "log" walls and exposed wood ceilings, -- wiring will have to be surface mounted, exposed, - so must be protected.

 

[retirede]

some of the barn houses around here have "log" walls and exposed wood ceilings, -- wiring will have to be surface mounted, exposed, - so must be protected.

Makes sense. All the ones I’ve seen around here are getting conventional Sheetrock inside. Hence my comment.

 

[letgomywago]

Makes sense. All the ones I’ve seen around here are getting conventional Sheetrock inside. Hence my comment.

I've seen hybrid ones where half is covered and half is straight up shop. Those sometimes need some creativity.

 

[hbiss]

some of the barn houses around here have "log" walls and exposed wood ceilings, -- wiring will have to be surface mounted, exposed, - so must be protected.

And will look a heck of a lot better in conduit that's "creatively" installed to blend with the structure.

-Hal

 

[Joethemechanic]

For esthetics I would personally want to do it in K&T, but I'm sure someone official would have a problem with it

Knob & Tube Wire and Supplies

Knob & tube wire is a reproduction of wire used for house wiring from the 1880s to the 1930s. The wire is called "knob and tube" because it was run through porcelain wire clamps, called knobs, to hold it to the wall and tubes to run it through beams.

sundialwire.com

 

[Stevenfyeager]

I saw the barn house. Sure enough, log walls, finished wood ceilings. All exposed finished wood surfaces. One exception. All around the log walls, he left out the mortar of one row (chinking they call it I believe) for me to run wiring horizontally. Is it ok to run UF in there ? The 'chinking' that will surround the UF is brick mortar. Is UF rated for that ? Thank you.

 

[letgomywago]

I saw the barn house. Sure enough, log walls, finished wood ceilings. All exposed finished wood surfaces. One exception. All around the log walls, he left out the mortar of one row (chinking they call it I believe) for me to run wiring horizontally. Is it ok to run UF in there ? The 'chinking' that will surround the UF is brick mortar. Is UF rated for that ? Thank you.

I thought you can't put non metallic cables of any type in mortar. You can put mc in there if it's wide enough though.

 

[Little Bill]

Should have called you before they built it. Either the log stackers could have drilled holes for you or you be there to do it. My price would go way up, or I would refuse to wire a log house after the walls were up. Hard enough when holes are there, then you have to notch the logs for boxes. If they are "D" logs you would also have to leave a flat spot for the face plate to sit flush.

 

[letgomywago]

Should have called you before they built it. Either the log stackers could have drilled holes for you or you be there to do it. My price would go way up, or I would refuse to wire a log house after the walls were up. Hard enough when holes are there, then you have to notch the logs for boxes. If they are "D" logs you would also have to leave a flat spot for the face plate to sit flush.

I think he should try to sell them on black or brown painted emt. It's the only thing that'll look good at this point

 

[Joethemechanic]

Is this new construction? I was picturing an old barn made into a house. Yeah I'd just do all emt.

I can't believe someone would do new construction and leave the electrical as an afterthought

 

[letgomywago]

Is this new construction? I was picturing an old barn made into a house. Yeah I'd just do all emt.

I can't believe someone would do new construction and leave the electrical as an afterthought

I can imagine if it's a DIY GC situation that it would be.

 

[Joethemechanic]

I was picturing something cool like this

 

[letgomywago]

I was picturing something cool like this

View attachment 2565936

How you gonna get the floor outlets in without being uggly

 

[Joethemechanic]

How you gonna get the floor outlets in without being uggly

I'd do the whole place in K&T with cool old devices like this rotary switch

 

[letgomywago]

I'd do the whole place in K&T with cool old devices like this rotary switch

View attachment 2565937

I'm talking by the rails

 

[Joethemechanic]

I'm talking by the rails

Not sure Maybe some kind of custom millwork. Like a wooden wiremould. distressed finish. Maybe just let it be ugly like something you'd find in an old barn like ridged with a patina