I'm working on a remodel where the contractor wants to make all the wires in the basement to disappear. The wires are all good romex and run on 3/4" wood nailed to the joists. There is about 25 branch feeders. The wires are stapled together in pairs about 1/16" from the next pair. I'm thinking of having the contractor make a soffit to hide them but will this be considered a wireway and subject to derating? Is it bundling if the wires are not intertwined?
boxing romex
- Thread starter benmin
- Start date
- Status
electricmanscott
Senior Member
- Location
- Boston, MA
- Occupation
- Massachusetts Master Electrician, one man show.
I don't see a problem with this. Calling this a wireway would be a huge stretch. If the idea is to finish the basement what about taking the wires off of the boards, staple them directly to the underside of the joists, install 3/4" furring strips to the joists, and then drywall right over everything.
dcspector
Senior Member
- Location
- Burke, Virginia
I for some reason am having a tough time seeing the installation, but if I am clear on this, sounds like you would be creating a cable tray of sorts.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
I would just box it out and call it a day. The finished installation will be no different than if the cables were run inside of a wall or ceiling.
Dammit Mr. Contractor I'm an electrician, not a magician!benmin said:
(sorry, couldn't resist
)I think a soffit is a great way to go, no derating required.benmin said:
The only requirement is that you give Mr. Contractor the wand and silly hat as HE is now the magician to make 'em disappear.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
If that were the case, every stud cavity would be a wireway.benmin said:
LarryFine said:If that were the case, every stud cavity would be a wireway.
So technically, what is the difference? is it because the romex is arranged in such a manor that they are separated in a stud cavity per code whereas in a wireway the current caring conductors are free floating and bundle with each other?
Normally I wouldn't think about it but on this job, I'm looking at encapsulating 25 conductors without derating and then looking down to a conduit that holds 7 conductors that should be derated.
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
In my opinion, none. I agree it's a non-issue.benmin said:
Encapsulating sounds like bundling, but enclosing does not.
Look at the number of conductors in the space above an in-wall panel, especially on a slab, and with the service/feeder, no less.
- Location
- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
benmin said:
When romex is separated by an air space then they are not considered bundled. If you are worrying about heat buildup which could be a factor if the cavity they are enclosed in is small, then I would drill a few holes in the back of the 3/4" board or better still have the builder leave a space between your board and the nailer for his side board. A little gap of 1" will let the cables breathe into the joist space above. Nice and comfy for those wires.
- Status