Smurf tube inspection?

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

smo

Member
Greetings,
I am a low voltage guy (security, home automation\theater, etc) and I have used smurf tube all the time for that kind of work.

However, I am having a home built and the contractor is going to allow me to come in and run some custom wires. I plan to use smurf tube for all my custom stuff, which is mostly low voltage. However, I have three line voltage outlets for a future home theather that I would like to just run smurf tube to for now, and later, like in a year or so, run wires through them.

My question is this: When running empty smurf tube for line voltage, does it have to be inspected with the electrical rough, or is fine to do after the inspection?

I only ask because my contractor doesn't want to let me in to do my stuff until after the inspection, and he doesn't want to change his electrical work to include my outlets. (One of those cookie-cutter homes...)

Thanks for the info, and sorry for the long first post!
 
I am assuming by smurf tube you mean ENT. If this is conduit that is not connected to anything electrical I can't see why it would have to be inspected at all.
 
smo said:
Greetings,
I am a low voltage guy (security, home automation\theater, etc) and I have used smurf tube all the time for that kind of work.

However, I am having a home built and the contractor is going to allow me to come in and run some custom wires.
Click to expand...

Nice that he would "allow" you to do some work on "your" house
 
smo said:
My question is this: When running empty smurf tube for line voltage, does it have to be inspected with the electrical rough, or is fine to do after the inspection?

I only ask because my contractor doesn't want to let me in to do my stuff until after the inspection, and he doesn't want to change his electrical work to include my outlets.

Thanks for the info, and sorry for the long first post!
Click to expand...

Low voltage cables installations, are inspected, and yes they will be inspected, with the rough as long as they are listed on the permit application.

"he doesn't want to change his electrical work to include my outlets."

The reason is, the contractor does not want to be responsible for someone elses work.

You say your a LV Contractor, why don't you file your own permit for the LV work?

On the outlets you need, why not let the contractor add them as an extra, and be done with it.
 
big vic said:
Nice that he would "allow" you to do some work on "your" house
Click to expand...

hello, where i live only a licensed electrical contractor i allowed to pull any permits pertaing to electrical. plans are submitted and the permit is priced according to what is being installed. if you start adding to many things you can be required to go back to the permitting dept and get another permit. as the writer said the wiring in question will be 120volt. this raises another flag because the homeowner isn't allowed to do this work at all. and yes if the work was done during the building process it would have to be inspected before close-in. ENT should be fastened every 3 feet and within 3 feet of the box.
 
Some areas allow ho to do their own work on their own homes. If he is installing a piece of ENT with nothing in it I don't see the issue. Yes his low voltage wiring needs inspection but not a simple conduit that is not connected anywhere.
 
smo said:
My question is this: When running empty smurf tube for line voltage, does it have to be inspected with the electrical rough, or is fine to do after the inspection?

I only ask because my contractor doesn't want to let me in to do my stuff until after the inspection, and he doesn't want to change his electrical work to include my outlets. (One of those cookie-cutter homes...)

Thanks for the info, and sorry for the long first post!
Click to expand...

I don't think he is planning on running empty smurf tube for line voltage unless he sees a reason that he is about to make it "UN-EMPTY" very soon.

SMO are you running this stuff because you are about to include another receptacle?

Also, is smurf tube that blue-somewhat-corrugated tubing?
 
Thanks everyone for the responses.

Yes I do mean the blue ENT tubing, aka "smurf tube".
I'm not worried about the low voltage side, since that's what I'm used to doing.

I am wanting to run an empty ENT tube from the breaker box to a couple of locations for a "future" home theater, like to the ceiling for a projector, and to a small room for the equipment. I want the projector and the related equipment on their own circuit - that is what I want to run this empty tube for. I will be filling the tube eventually, but like I said, that is probably a year down the road. The contractor already has the house wired, and does not want to change (or add) at this point without it costing me more then I think it is worth for three outlets.

So, if I keep all bends between junction boxes less then a total of 360 degrees, and fasten the ENT every 3', am I okay to run it to these boxes and to the breaker box, LEAVING IT EMPTY?

Thanks!
 
The scenario changes..... Tying into the panel box means that you either need a license or that your jurisdiction allows you to work on your own home.

If I were doing the wiring on your house I would not want anyone doing any of the wiring that I would be responsible for. Let the electrician do what he gets paid to do or get a permit (if you can) and get it inspected on your own.
 
My belief is just because it's empty it does not need to be inspected does not fly.
The reason for inspection is not just because of the voltage but because of the installation and the impact it creates. For example lets say you put in a conduit for home theatre say 2" so you can pull in lots of stuff in the future. Well if you were to drill across a 2x4 wall that is structural or worse a sheer wall. You would have screwed up the framing.
The other reason as stated erlier is for revenue collection.
 
Sierrasparky said:
My belief is just because it's empty it does not need to be inspected does not fly.
The reason for inspection is not just because of the voltage but because of the installation and the impact it creates. For example lets say you put in a conduit for home theatre say 2" so you can pull in lots of stuff in the future. Well if you were to drill across a 2x4 wall that is structural or worse a sheer wall. You would have screwed up the framing.
The other reason as stated erlier is for revenue collection.
Click to expand...

That makes a lot of sense. How is the inspector to know that you didn't put more than a 360 degree bend in the stuff? Or that you supported it every 3 ft? Call the inspector and tell him what you intend and then get his signature that your ENT was run properly. You will have to get your own inspection and most likely will have to make sure you get it taken care of before you hold up your GC.
 
Honestly, if you are having a house built I strongly recommend just paying the contractor to add the extra outlets. I find myself paying for stuff I don't wanna pay for all the time lol.
 
I vote to pay them to add the outlets.

As for running empty smurf tubes for possible future use, I can't see that being a problem as long as they don't breach any fire barriers.
 
jaylectricity said:
That makes a lot of sense. How is the inspector to know that you didn't put more than a 360 degree bend in
Click to expand...

Exactly.

Here in MA a homeowner could run the raeway and is not required to have it inspected.

However as soon as it is done by someone for hire a permit and inspection would be required.
 
I'm wandering how you guys can tell where he is at to be able to tell him what is required and what is not. I looked to see where he was at but could not find that information. Maybe some are not aware that there are different regulations in different jurisdictions. The county I live in only inspects low voltage in commercial work, not residential. A neighboring county you have to be very careful, they have a single private inspection company approved for electrical inspections in the county, and they charge per outlet. The low voltage part of 1 house cost me over $400. while the line voltage part cost me I think $140.
 
That is an excellent point and why I point out where I am when answering these types of questions.

Licensing and inspection rules are entirely up to each local area.
 
My guess is that the local elec inspector might very well have an issue with that smurf tube install, if it violates any rules for ent installation which you might not possibly be aware of since you do low voltage. Call an electrician in. Ent is not to be run exposed and has temperature limitations on where it is installed. There are also physical damage issues. Call for a sparky and play it safe.
 
Well, I appreciate all the advise and replies. I spoke with the electrician on the job, and he told me to just run the ENT where I wanted it, and he would look it over and make sure it's all okay. So, thats what I did. I followed the NEC as best as I understand, so we shall see.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top