romex through drywall

[jeffmiller]

Re: Wiring Methods. We need to feed a residential air handler in an "equipment closet". The walls and ceiling of the equipment closet consist of 1 layer of 1/2-inch drywall, screwed to wood studs or joists. Does the NEC permit simply puncing through the drywall and then mudding the hole? Or do we have to take the Romex into a device box or junction box? Will a fire seal/firestop system be required? Any thoughts will be appreciated.

 

[infinity]

Sounds fine to me. I don't think that firestopping is needed for a 1/2" drywalled wall. IMO a neater installation would use a box mounted within the wall with a whip installed from a finished cover on the box with an angle connector. Don't forget the disconnect.

 

[jwelectric]

I believe that a disconnect will be required for the appliance unless it is with-in 50 feet and visible form the panel

Edited for spelling

Can’t read and wrote this morning.
Thought that visible should have been visi able

 

[jeffmiller]

Romex through drywall

Romex through drywall

Sounds fine to me. I don't think that firestopping is needed for a 1/2" drywalled wall. IMO a neater installation would use a box mounted within the wall with a whip installed from a finished cover on the box with an angle connector. Don't forget the disconnect.

Trevor - thanks for the heads up on the disconnect. Are you suggesting 1) running the Romex into a recessed device box, 2) providing a box cover that has a knockout for MC, and then 3) running the MC whip from the cover to the air handler disconnect?

 

[mark henderson]

We always put a switch in then come straight out of the box through the drywall. At that point we use carflex to the unit. Painters usually caulk around the carflex at the drywall. I have not failed an inspection yet.

Mark

 

[infinity]

Trevor - thanks for the heads up on the disconnect. Are you suggesting 1) running the Romex into a recessed device box, 2) providing a box cover that has a knockout for MC, and then 3) running the MC whip from the cover to the air handler disconnect?

IMO that would be a neat way to do it if you're concerned about aesthetics. The method Mark outlined will work also.

 

[John Valdes]

I like to mount a small non-fusible disco. Then use FMC to the unit. A jbox surface mounted is another option if the panel is out of sight. If you must recess the box I agree with using the KO on the blank cover.

 

[SurfSide EC]

I typically run wiring from disconnect mounted on wall through carflex to heat unit, unless it is an attic or crawl space. For water heaters, we mount a single-gang box and run the romex from box with a plate to water heater, with a lockout at the panel or 2-pole switch at the heater mounted just above the box and carflex.. I think either method is fine, the carflex is just a neater install. The only arguement would be physical protection of the wire, but I have passed inspections either way.