The reason for my question is to determine if 6-2 NM-B or NM-C/UF-B should be used when installing a 7.5 HP compressor in the indoor area between two overhead doors. The cable will be run inside the wall cavity from the main panel to a QO200TRNM AC disconnect switch rated for 60 A/10 HP. I've called three supply houses in my area and none of them carry 6-2 UF-B cable, only 6-3, although they can order some for me.
Detached residential garage in MA considered damp location?
- Thread starter Razkid
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- Chapel Hill, NC
- Occupation
- Retired Electrical Contractor
Is this something you are doing on your own home? Are you licensed to do this work?
Your profile states that you are an Electrical Engineer ,That does not qualify you to work as an Electrician in our state without first serving the required four Apprenticeship and Taking the Journeymen Electricians exam , passing such, and paying the required fee for your Journeymen electrician license ,Then purshasing Liability Insurance meeting the minimum requirements of the Board Of State Examiners Of Electricians to be able to pull permits for your work.
This is a simple question that an Electrical Engineer should be able to answer.
I don't see how an electrical engineer would know this. Depending on which flavor of EE degree he has, he'll get little or no education about the NEC and especially a little nuance like this.
I don't see this as a simple question at all, or one that even electricians would agree on. It seems to be an AHJ judgement call to me (and perhaps it is more consistent on a state or region basis), and would depend on typical weather (e.g. Seattle or desert) and how this garage is constructed (is it heated at all, is it insulated, does it have wood siding and/or roofing or is it sheetmetal like a pole building, is the floor dirt or concrete, is it obviously damp in there, ...)?
I have an uninsulated metal pool shed that is definitely damp inside. I have wooden sheds I'd say are not. But what matters is what the AHJ thinks.
I don't see this as a simple question at all, or one that even electricians would agree on. It seems to be an AHJ judgement call to me (and perhaps it is more consistent on a state or region basis), and would depend on typical weather (e.g. Seattle or desert) and how this garage is constructed (is it heated at all, is it insulated, does it have wood siding and/or roofing or is it sheetmetal like a pole building, is the floor dirt or concrete, is it obviously damp in there, ...)?
I have an uninsulated metal pool shed that is definitely damp inside. I have wooden sheds I'd say are not. But what matters is what the AHJ thinks.
This isn't a simple question since the code definition of a damp or dry location could be open to interpretation when it comes to a garage. As you know a damp location can be an interior location subject to moderate degrees of moisture and a dry location may be temporarily subject to dampness or moisture. A dehumidifier needs to be run in this garage in certain weather and of course there is always the chance of the door being left open during a rain storm or snow melting off of a vehicle in the winter. I was hoping to get an educated opinion from someone in this forum before talking to the AHJ. Anyway, I spoke to the AHJ and now have my answer and permit in hand. Thanks for your reply suemarkp!
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