Romex outdoor application

[td1236]

Can indoor romex be used in an outdoor structure if the ceiling is enclosed. Everything else on the structure is open. it will basically be cedar covering the rafter bays.

 

[ActionDave]

Depends on if it meets the definition of a dry location. What you are describing doesn't don't much different than a front porch on a house.

 

[LarryFine]

It sounds like a dry attic space, so I'd say acceptable.

 

[VirutalElectrician]

With the cost of UF on par with NM-B these days, why not just use UF?

 

[AC\DC]

With the cost of UF on par with NM-B these days, why not just use UF?

Labor cost to work with that crap.
I mean todays is much easier than the old stuff but still a pain.

 

[td1236]

With the cost of UF on par with NM-B these days, why not just use UF?

I I would much rather work with NM

With the cost of UF on par with NM-B these days, why not just use UF?

I agree, I hate hate working with UF...

 

[garbo]

At an IAEI meeting an inspector told us that NM ( Romex ) is never allowed outdoors or even to enter the rear of a pancake box for an outdoor luminare because its not rated for damp or wet locations.. Have the old cloth covered romex feeding an outdoor luminare. When I replaced the luminare a few years ago wire was in great shape. House was built 60 years ago. Told us to only use UF cable to feed all outdoor luminare & receptacles.

 

[td1236]

By that logic you would not be able to run it through an exterior wall to power an outdoor surface mounted plug, Though it is always done that way.

 

[VirutalElectrician]

Labor cost to work with that crap.
I mean todays is much easier than the old stuff but still a pain.

It's really not that big of a deal. It's not like you're doing the entire house...

 

[ActionDave]

At an IAEI meeting an inspector told us that NM ( Romex ) is never allowed outdoors or even to enter the rear of a pancake box for an outdoor luminare because its not rated for damp or wet locations.. Have the old cloth covered romex feeding an outdoor luminare. When I replaced the luminare a few years ago wire was in great shape. House was built 60 years ago. Told us to only use UF cable to feed all outdoor luminare & receptacles.

If the inside of a junction box mounted flush to the wall of a house meets the definition of a damp or wet location there is a problem that UF cable is not going to solve.

 

[Canton]

If the inside of a junction box mounted flush to the wall of a house meets the definition of a damp or wet location there is a problem that UF cable is not going to solve.

A raceway mounted to an exterior wall of a building subject to the elements, the interior is considered a wet location

 

[packersparky]

A raceway mounted to an exterior wall of a building subject to the elements, the interior is considered a wet location

The interior of a raceway is considered a wet location. The interior of a weatherproof box is not

 

[Canton]

The interior of a raceway is considered a wet location. The interior of a weatherproof box is not

No argument there. What’s your point?

 

[packersparky]

No argument there. What’s your point?

You quoted Dave who mentioned a junction box and not a raceway. I was just trying to clarify Dave's point.

 

[ActionDave]

A raceway mounted to an exterior wall of a building subject to the elements, the interior is considered a wet location

When a raceway is mounted to an exterior wall of a building not subject to the elements the interior is also considered a wet location.

 

[VirutalElectrician]

The interior of a raceway is considered a wet location. The interior of a weatherproof box is not

Except when it gets wet? Unless the box is mounted up under the eaves, I've seen very few that haven't had some sort of water intrusion at some point.

 

[Knuckle Dragger]

Can indoor romex be used in an outdoor structure if the ceiling is enclosed. Everything else on the structure is open. it will basically be cedar covering the rafter bays.

As long as you are behind the ceiling and not exposed to the outdoors you should be good to go.

 

[garbo]

If the inside of a junction box mounted flush to the wall of a house meets the definition of a damp or wet location there is a problem that UF cable is not going to solve.

Wish I had a dollar for every outdoor box including luminare that had water in them. We were told that all outdoor locations are considered damp locations due to guess rainfall & at times very high humidity. Maybe an outdoor box in the desert might not be considered a damp.location. Just about every time that I replaced NM cable leading outdoors the paper jacket on ground conductor was either wet, damp or showed signs of being wet.

 

[garbo]

By that logic you would not be able to run it through an exterior wall to power an outdoor surface mounted plug, Though it is always done that way.

Correct. With life time liability and so many sue happy lawyers I would rather use UF cable like an very talented & well respected inspector told us.

 

[ActionDave]

Wish I had a dollar for every outdoor box including luminare that had water in them. We were told that all outdoor locations are considered damp locations due to guess rainfall & at times very high humidity. Maybe an outdoor box in the desert might not be considered a damp.location. Just about every time that I replaced NM cable leading outdoors the paper jacket on ground conductor was either wet, damp or showed signs of being wet.

So flush mounted exterior boxes, inside the building envelope, are getting water in them in your world? That's not happening in mine.