baseboard heaters as raceway

[Greg1707]

Quite often I see the space above the heating element in baseboard heaters used as a raceway. It is useful to do this if several heaters are wired in parallel using surface conduit or Wiremold.

However, neither the instructions nor the wiring diagrams that accompany the heaters mention this as an option.

Does anyone have an opinion on this matter?

 

[480sparky]

....However, neither the instructions nor the wiring diagrams that accompany the heaters mention this as an option.......

Maybe because it's not an option.

Why should the manufacturer spend money on trying to list every way you cannot use their product?

 

[LarryFine]

Most BB heaters I've seen have a channel on the bottom side. That's where I'd run wires if I needed to.

 

[mdshunk]

I really don't see baseboard heaters listed in Article 300 anyplace as a raceway type.

 

[LarryFine]

I really don't see baseboard heaters listed in Article 300 anyplace as a raceway type.

Just to clarify, I didn't mean a channel within the body of the unit. It's more like behind a skirt on the front edge, like behind a toe-kick. Under the heater, not within it.

 

[Greg1707]

BB Heaters in parrallel

BB Heaters in parrallel

Ok, Let me change the nature of the question about baseboard heaters used as a raceway. How would you install several baseboard heaters on a solid surface using Wiremold? Say in the living room of a home with solid masonry wall (no wall cavity to conceal wires)?

For example: 4' bboard heater, 3' Wiremold, 4' bboard heater, 3' Wiremold, 4' bboard heater.

I have seen this done using the area above the heating elements (were there is a wire that completes the circuit of the heater) as a raceway for additional wiring. Is this acceptable? I see this done frequently.

 

[480sparky]

Place a WM box next to the end of each heater. Run the WM between the boxes, as well as down to each heater from it's box.