RobSpark
New User
- Location
- Houston, TX
- Occupation
- Software Development & Premise Wiring (LV)
So, I have this 1974 slab on grade lake house with a wooden deck and where an existing metal box that will be replaced and an additional receptacle will be added. I'm seeking clarification on the materials, NEC 2023 code compliance and best practices to be used in this situation.
The current outlet on the back wall of the home, the source for all deck electrical power, will be replaced with a 2-gang box. There is a 20 amp circuit breaker for this circuit and the outdoor power is GFCI protected from an upstream outlet. The home has no ground wires. FWIW, I cannot verify of the current receptacle wiring is 14 or 12 AWG....
Installing a second outlet. The total cable length will be about 12-15 feet and 1/2" knockouts on metal boxes. I plan to cut a small hole in the deck just below the source metal 2-gang box and feed the wiring to the new receptacle location (which will power a small fountain drawing less than 1 amp). I would like the wire or conduit exiting the source box to be clean as possible as it goes down through the deck. There will be no under deck access.
The way I see it my options are:
a) Stranded Wire No Conduit. Use a weather-resistant round black cable with 3-14 AWG conductors, something like: VNTC-14-3 (Tray Cable) as suggested by my Graybar guy. This would exit and enter each water resistant steel box with a a fitting suitable to keep the water out. CGB Connector (CGB193 or 194).
b) Stranded Wire No Conduit V2. Use an outdoor rated extension cord and lop off each end and direct wire with grommets from Home Depot...
c) PVC Conduit with Solid Core. THHN 14 AWG through 1/2" PVC (pull three conductors even though the house has no ground?). I think the PVC might have a clean look coming out of the source box and going down through the deck. I might be able to pull a few deck boards to attach a 90 degree elbow.... but no supporting of the PVC will be accomplished. It will have to go at least 8 or 10 feet without support unless it ends up on the soil which is likely. This will exit a 2X12 on the deck edge.
d) Flexible Non-Metallic PVC Conduit. Same as "c" except I could use 1/2" Ultratite Liquidtight Flexible Non-Metallic PVC Conduit. I might be able to thread this through the deck without having to remove any boards. This will likely not be as clean looking at the source box. Bulky water tight fittings...
What wiring option do you recommend?
Do I need to wire a ground if the house has no grounds?
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
R
The current outlet on the back wall of the home, the source for all deck electrical power, will be replaced with a 2-gang box. There is a 20 amp circuit breaker for this circuit and the outdoor power is GFCI protected from an upstream outlet. The home has no ground wires. FWIW, I cannot verify of the current receptacle wiring is 14 or 12 AWG....
Installing a second outlet. The total cable length will be about 12-15 feet and 1/2" knockouts on metal boxes. I plan to cut a small hole in the deck just below the source metal 2-gang box and feed the wiring to the new receptacle location (which will power a small fountain drawing less than 1 amp). I would like the wire or conduit exiting the source box to be clean as possible as it goes down through the deck. There will be no under deck access.
The way I see it my options are:
a) Stranded Wire No Conduit. Use a weather-resistant round black cable with 3-14 AWG conductors, something like: VNTC-14-3 (Tray Cable) as suggested by my Graybar guy. This would exit and enter each water resistant steel box with a a fitting suitable to keep the water out. CGB Connector (CGB193 or 194).
b) Stranded Wire No Conduit V2. Use an outdoor rated extension cord and lop off each end and direct wire with grommets from Home Depot...
c) PVC Conduit with Solid Core. THHN 14 AWG through 1/2" PVC (pull three conductors even though the house has no ground?). I think the PVC might have a clean look coming out of the source box and going down through the deck. I might be able to pull a few deck boards to attach a 90 degree elbow.... but no supporting of the PVC will be accomplished. It will have to go at least 8 or 10 feet without support unless it ends up on the soil which is likely. This will exit a 2X12 on the deck edge.
d) Flexible Non-Metallic PVC Conduit. Same as "c" except I could use 1/2" Ultratite Liquidtight Flexible Non-Metallic PVC Conduit. I might be able to thread this through the deck without having to remove any boards. This will likely not be as clean looking at the source box. Bulky water tight fittings...
What wiring option do you recommend?
Do I need to wire a ground if the house has no grounds?
Thanks in advance for your feedback.
R
