After removing a suspended ceiling in the basement of a house, is it okay to spray paint the existing romex with black spray paint for aesthetics since the suspended ceiling will no longer be in place ? Thanks for any info.
Can romex be spray painted ?
- Thread starter steve61
- Start date
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
IMO yes.
Fred B
Senior Member
- Location
- Upstate, NY
- Occupation
- Electrician
Might want to consider if painting will cover over this required information. If so it would be a violation
310.8
(A) Required Information.
All conductors and cables shall be marked to indicate the following information, using the applicable method described in 310.8(B):
(1) The maximum rated voltage.
(2) The proper type letter or letters for the type of wire or cable as specified elsewhere in this Code.
(3) The manufacturer’s name, trademark, or other distinctive marking by which the organization responsible for the product can be readily identified.
(4) The AWG size or circular mil area.
B) Method of Marking.
(1) Surface Marking.
The following conductors and cables shall be durably marked on the surface:
(1) Single-conductor and multiconductor thermoset and thermoplastic-insulated wire and cable
(2) Nonmetallic-sheathed cable
........
Another consideration is would painting of NM compromise the fire retardant ability of the NM Sheath
334.116 Sheath.
The outer sheath of nonmetallic-sheathed cable shall comply with 334.116(A) and (B).
(A) Type NM.
The overall covering shall be flame retardant and moisture resistant.
310.8
(A) Required Information.
All conductors and cables shall be marked to indicate the following information, using the applicable method described in 310.8(B):
(1) The maximum rated voltage.
(2) The proper type letter or letters for the type of wire or cable as specified elsewhere in this Code.
(3) The manufacturer’s name, trademark, or other distinctive marking by which the organization responsible for the product can be readily identified.
(4) The AWG size or circular mil area.
B) Method of Marking.
(1) Surface Marking.
The following conductors and cables shall be durably marked on the surface:
(1) Single-conductor and multiconductor thermoset and thermoplastic-insulated wire and cable
(2) Nonmetallic-sheathed cable
........
Another consideration is would painting of NM compromise the fire retardant ability of the NM Sheath
334.116 Sheath.
The outer sheath of nonmetallic-sheathed cable shall comply with 334.116(A) and (B).
(A) Type NM.
The overall covering shall be flame retardant and moisture resistant.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
I don't see anything on that list that would require the information to be visible after installation. NM cable is embedded in spray foam insulation all of the time so IMO painting it is no different as long as the paint doesn't harm the jacket.
Fred B
Senior Member
- Location
- Upstate, NY
- Occupation
- Electrician
But even when you are have it covered in insulation or behind a wall the marking is not permanently blocked or compromised. The code section quoted doesn't have an exclusion that limits the requirement to pre installed state. If Painted is it NM or NM-B
acin
Senior Member
- Location
- pacific grove california
- Occupation
- general building contractor est.1984 . C 10 elec. lic.as of 8 / 7/ 2020
some markings are imbedded into the sheath
Birken Vogt
Senior Member
- Location
- Grass Valley, Ca
There might be info on the back side of the cable where stapled.
There might be info in areas not painted over.
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer
Solvent based paints will attack the PVC jacket. Latex will not.
OldBroadcastTech
Senior Member
- Location
- Western IL
- Occupation
- Retired Broadcast Technician
Or an 'exception'....................
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
I think of the millions of NM installations that have been sprayed with wall finishes before trim out.
Fred B
Senior Member
- Location
- Upstate, NY
- Occupation
- Electrician
May be true, May even be common practice to paint the wire, but the code says what it says. Not that I've ever seen it called out as a violation. but have seen a lot of painted sheath that had become very brittle so is it damaging the cable? I'll let others make that determination as to how much damage becomes an actual problem. Seen also painted SE cable. The damage to that is seemed to be exasperated by high UV level being exposed outside. Damage there seems to be higher than same age non painted SE. So is painting a problem that should fall within the scope of NEC and 310.8, 334.116, 338.120, even though painting in an of itself not being called out as it being physical damage issue, or is it allowed to paint and wait until the damage and compromised cable or conductor? Again I'll leave this to be answered by some others more knowledgeable.
- Location
- New Jersey
- Occupation
- Journeyman Electrician
And other things like EMT have similar surface marking requirements in the NEC but they're painted everyday. If NM cable cannot be painted then raceways with surface markings cannot be painted either.
I had this very issue come up a few years back.
General contractor sprayed the open I joist space of a basement with a black “dry fall” finish.
The inspector requested a spec sheet that I needed to get from the painting contractor indicating the composition of the product.
It passed inspection .
4x4dually
Senior Member
- Location
- Stillwater, OK
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer/ Ex-Electrician
I think we should cite the code book and force the special ed dry wall crews to go around and wipe all the romex clean in our boxes. The mud and paint covers the required markings.
Fred B
Senior Member
- Location
- Upstate, NY
- Occupation
- Electrician
I think so too. Mud is water base so shouldn't deteriorate but the paint especially the PV primer is another story. Seen that stuff so heavy on the wire couldn't distinguish a hot from a neutral, and it doesn't scrape off with a fingernail or any even sharper tool.
It's only a violation if you have really pissed off the inspector, other than that it is a none issue.
electrofelon
Senior Member
- Location
- Cherry Valley NY, Seattle, WA
- Occupation
- Electrician
I usually try to have a pre dry wall meeting with the drywallers to go over which wires to poke out and which to just cover over...... Usually it goes poorly. Either there is a language barrier, or when they speak English I usually get this blank dumbfounded look like I'm trying to teach them quantum mechanics or something.