The Mrcool unit I purchased came with 14/4 SOOW, SJOW, and TC-ER control cable for the 3 wall units installed at 25ft, 50ft, and 75ft from condenser, but according to electrical code cables cannot be run through interior walls like NM cable. I am finishing a basement so I have complete access to walls and ceilings. What type of 14/4 stranded cable can I run from the wall units through the ceiling and walls to the outside condenser that will satisfy typical electrical code and satisfy mini split install requirements of stranded cable?
Mini Split NEC Code Question - type of control cable run through ceiling and interior walls?
- Thread starter CoachJoe
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winnie
Senior Member
- Location
- Springfield, MA, USA
- Occupation
- Electric motor research
This is multi rated cable, and can be used anywhere one of its three ratings meet the requirements.
So you can use it indoors anywhere 'tray cable' is kosher.
But I bet you are not installing cable tray
For one and two family dwelling units, use type TC-ER-JP.
Jon
So you can use it indoors anywhere 'tray cable' is kosher.
But I bet you are not installing cable tray
For one and two family dwelling units, use type TC-ER-JP.
Jon
mtnelect
HVAC & Electrical Contractor
- Location
- Southern California
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- Contractor, C10 & C20 - Semi Retired
This is the cable that comes with Diakin ... We always install the inside unit on an outside wall so the condensate can flow to outside without a miniature condensate pump. The refrigerant lines and the cable are always routed inside of a plastic enclosure back to the outside unit.
winnie
Senior Member
- Location
- Springfield, MA, USA
- Occupation
- Electric motor research
Yup, the cable in post #3 would be a violation inside of the structure. Most times this gets ignored when the distance inside is just the thickness of the outside wall. But if you had a unit actually inside the home and just ran that cable it is a violation. I believe that cable is acceptable indoors in a raceway.
-Jon
-Jon
mtnelect
HVAC & Electrical Contractor
- Location
- Southern California
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- Contractor, C10 & C20 - Semi Retired
The exception to Section 336.10(7) permits TC-ER cable to properly exit cable tray without continuous support for a limit of 6 ft. The cable supplied by Diakin is only TC not TC-EX. So, I will go back tomorrow and replace all those cables with TC-EX ! ...
winnie
Senior Member
- Location
- Springfield, MA, USA
- Occupation
- Electric motor research
I honestly suspect that doing so would be overkill
But for an application in my own house I made sure to order TC-ER-JP, which can be used (in 1 and 2 family structures) anywhere that NM is used. My hunch is that it is essentially the same stuff, just with a couple of additional tests so that they can print the extra letters on the housing....
-Jon
mtnelect
HVAC & Electrical Contractor
- Location
- Southern California
- Occupation
- Contractor, C10 & C20 - Semi Retired
I am curious ... What style cable came with your unit ?I honestly suspect that doing so would be overkill
But for an application in my own house I made sure to order TC-ER-JP, which can be used (in 1 and 2 family structures) anywhere that NM is used. My hunch is that it is essentially the same stuff, just with a couple of additional tests so that they can print the extra letters on the housing....
-Jon
Thanks for the help guys. correct in that I am not installing inside a cable tray. The air handlers are installed on exterior walls at different locations in the basement, so the condensate lines exit at the air handler location, but the refrigerant lines and control cable will be routed through the interior ceiling and down the wall studs and exit at the condenser. Because of obstacles on the exterior of the house it would be not possible to rout the lines on the exterior of the house to the condenser. OK - so wound TC-ER-JP allow me to run without a tray (same as i would for NM)? Is it uncommon to use 14/3 Romex with junction boxes at the air handlers and exterior (near disconnect) - certainly more difficult?
joe
joe
winnie
Senior Member
- Location
- Springfield, MA, USA
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- Electric motor research
It didn't. I incorrectly spoke in the past tense. I am in the process of placing an order, and will be making sure I get TC-ER-JP. The units that I am looking at all make the lineset a separate line item in the order.
-Jon
Eddie702
Licensed Electrician
- Location
- Western Massachusetts
- Occupation
- Electrician
Is this no the same tray cable exception that allows it to be used indoors without a raceway for a generator hook up?
hillbilly1
Senior Member
- Location
- North Georgia mountains
- Occupation
- Owner/electrical contractor
I just installed a mini split at a manufacturing plant Friday, it came with outdoor rated mc cable, apparently it something new the manufacturer is doing, as the last couple were rubber cord connected. Don’t remember the brand, customer supplied.
Yep ! (I believe the Code change was pushed by Generac)
shortcircuit2
Senior Member
- Location
- South of Bawstin
This is permitted in residential applications. The TC-ER-JP would need a raceway inside other buildings.
shortcircuit2
Senior Member
- Location
- South of Bawstin
Article 400 flexible cords can not be used as a permanant wiring method. 400.12
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