UF cable dwelling unit to ac unit outdoor

[hhsting]

I have indoor subpanels in apartment complex dwelling unit which has cable UF branch circuits going to attic of the apartment complex and then coming down at the balcony outdoor of the dwelling unit where the condensing unit is.

Following questions:

1. 340.10(4) says where installed as nonmetallic sheathed cable it need to be protected.. how does one know if in above scenario its installed as nonmetallic sheathed cable?

2. Is UF cable often used in outdoor location to wire AC outside or not? Is this normal?


3. 340.12(10) does outside mean subject to physical damage or not?

4. 340.12(10) just says not used if subject to physical damage. It does not say one can use conduit so in places of physical damage UF cannot be used period?

 

[Coppersmith]

UF cable is subject to damage if it is anywhere within reach of people or mobile equipment (like lawn mowers, cars, or pallet jacks). It is often used to wire outdoor A/C units, but is sheathed with conduit (usually schedule 40 PVC) where subject to damage. If your runs are short, like straight down from the attic eave, down to a disconnect, this is the way it's done. If you are running a lot longer horizontally, running EMT with THHN would look much better (won't sag) and you wouldn't need to worry about expansion joints. While you could run UF in conduit for a long run, it would be a pain to pull the cable in.

 

[hhsting]

UF cable is subject to damage if it is anywhere within reach of people or mobile equipment (like lawn mowers, cars, or pallet jacks). It is often used to wire outdoor A/C units, but is sheathed with conduit (usually schedule 40 PVC). If your runs are short, like from the attic eave, down to a disconnect, this is the way it's done. If you are running a lot longer, running EMT with THHN would look much better (won't sag) and you wouldn't need to worry about expansion joints.

Thanks for responding. I just don’t see in NEC 2014 section 340 or anywhere else that UF cable when subject to physical damage need to be in conduit? 340.12(10) says UF shall not be used when subject to physical damage

 

[Coppersmith]

It's doesn't need to be in conduit. It needs to be protected from physical damage. There are other ways to do that, but using conduit is usually the easiest. UF is only subject to damage if you run it without protection. Protect it and it's no longer subject to damage. If you prefer, you could build a wooden chase around it.

 

[hhsting]

It's doesn't need to be in conduit. It needs to be protected from physical damage. There are other ways to do that, but using conduit is usually the easiest.

Thanks for responding but I am still confused. 340.12(10) Uses not permitted says where subject to physical damage.

Note 340.12(10) does NOT say where subject to physical damage unless otherwise protected from physical damage


I take first paragraph to mean that whatever scheme that can be applied to protect is useless 340.12(10) says where subject to physical damage don’t use UF regardless of protection from physical damage is applied? Am I missing something?

 

[Coppersmith]

You're getting all twisted up like a pretzel. Don't overthink it. The bottom line is you can use UF in a place where it could possibly be damaged as long as you protect it from that damage.