Wet Romex Usable?

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It will be interesting to hear how an "electrician" rationalizes using it after leaving romex in the back of a truck unprotected and exposed to heavy rain. Any takers? :confused: :smile:
 
wbalsam1 said:
It will be interesting to hear how an "electrician" rationalizes using it after leaving romex in the back of a truck unprotected and exposed to heavy rain. Any takers? :confused: :smile:
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I don't remember that being on my journeyman or contractors exam. But since I have used romex from the back of a pickup, do I loose my licenses? :rolleyes:
 
Minuteman said:
I don't remember that being on my journeyman or contractors exam. But since I have used romex from the back of a pickup, do I loose my licenses? :rolleyes:
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Yes, I've already reported you to the licensing board. ;)
 
Minimizing the question is a great way of skirting the issue, IMO, but are you really saying that it's just a big joke? That's there's absolutely no risk of the equipment grounding conductor (which is "covered" not "insulated" by a paper wrapping which retains moisture) ever corroding after having been subjected to heavy rain in the back of a pick up truck?
Quality and attention to detail in the work you perform, these are elements of your corporate "signature". Minimizing the potential for risk by rationalizing poor NM storage maintenance habits doesn't make the potential go away. Does it? :confused: :smile:
 
I knew a guy a few years ago who spilled antifreeze on his codebook, and it was still wet months after. I'm more concerned about the anitfreeze that got the NM wet than if it were regular old water, IMO.
 
wbalsam1 said:
Minimizing the question is a great way of skirting the issue, IMO, but are you really saying that it's just a big joke? That's there's absolutely no risk of the equipment grounding conductor (which is "covered" not "insulated" by a paper wrapping which retains moisture) ever corroding after having been subjected to heavy rain in the back of a pick up truck?
Quality and attention to detail in the work you perform, these are elements of your corporate "signature". Minimizing the potential for risk by rationalizing poor NM storage maintenance habits doesn't make the potential go away. Does it? :confused: :smile:
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Yes I am minimizing the question, but not to imply that it is a big joke. I just don't see it as a big problem - else there would be a NEC Article about proper NM storage and most likely a warning label on the package. Here are my thoughts.

  1. Eventually the paper WILL dry out
  2. Copper does not rust as it "ever corrodes", but the outer surface does oxidize
  3. GEC are exposed to moisture and thereby will also oxidise
  4. I drive a van, But I have used a truck :)
 
georgestolz said:
I knew a guy a few years ago who spilled antifreeze on his codebook, and it was still wet months after. I'm more concerned about the anitfreeze that got the NM wet than if it were regular old water, IMO.
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I guess I waited 9 pages for someone to bring this up. What effect antifreeze has on the insulation and jacket. Now if you'll excuse me I have to get a few rolls of nm out of the back of the truck. I put them there after I payed for them and grabbed them off the (wet) loading dock at the supply house. Yes, I guess I'm a hack.
 
The Results Are In! It's OK If Romex Gets Wet.

The Results Are In! It's OK If Romex Gets Wet.

So far, we've had several members state how they've installed wet Romex and never encountered a single problem. We've had several members say the practice leads to disaster but they've been totally unable to provide any examples to backup their claims.

The Naysayers have been grasping at straws, making wild claims and making incorrect code citations. In desperation they've even made personal attacks against the Wet-Romex crowd, calling them hacks and worse.

The Naysayers have given it their best shot and have been unable to submit any facts that support their position on wet romex.

Again, The Practical Electricians have utterly trounced the Theoreticians.

I think we can declare this myth busted!

mythbusters.jpg
 
Satcom, from your link:

Wire and cable may be damaged by exposure to salt water during hurricanes, or by inland flooding where there may be high concentrations of oils, fertilizers, or other strong chemicals.

Wire and cable that is listed for dry locations only, such as NM-B, should be replaced if it has been exposed to floodwater. NM-B cable contains paper fillers that can pull contaminated water into the cable, which can cause premature cable failure.
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Now, would a water-antifreeze mex be considered contaminated?

I doubt it since antifreeze is formulated to be compatible with copper.
 
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Fire Alarm said:
[1]....Thousands of houses every year get framed and rough wired and then get rained on for days at a time.
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Reasoning: since thousands do this, it must be alright.....:confused:

Fire Alarm said:
[2]Thousands of electricians keep Romex in the bed of their trucks exposed to the elements for weeks before being installed in someone's house.
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This is the exercise of quality care for our customers...:confused:

Fire Alarm said:
[3]I've installed Romex that was actually submerged underwater and never experienced any problems.
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And I've been elected spokesperson for the underwater dry location coalition......;)

Fire Alarm said:
[4]Any Practical Electrician will tell you that water does not destroy NM cable, ............
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In this case my sheltered life has prevented me from ever having met a "practical" electrician.......:rolleyes:

WOW! 4 great reasons for making an informed choice of who you hire and allow on your job....No "practical" electricians need apply.
 
LarryFine said:
Now, would a water-antifreeze mex be considered contaminated?

I doubt it since antifreeze is formulated to be compatible with copper.
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Would the anti-freeze damage the insulation... sheath and/or conductor?
 
National Electrical Manufacturer?s Association (NEMA) guidelines state, ?Any wire or cable that is listed for dry locations only, such as type NM-B cable, should be replaced if it has been exposed to water.? These guidelines must be treated as manufacturer?s installation instructions. (See the August 2005 edition of this newsletter for details.)


Straight from satcom's link.
 
So wouldn't a "practical" electrician use the code under practical safeguarding (90.1) and 110.3(B)? :smile: Or is this all just theory? :smile:
 
another aspect

another aspect

I have not located the documentation as of yet, but it was pointed out at a recent IAEI seminar that once NM gets wet, the soaked paper liner can often start a mildew process which will lead to future problems. (cable wise and EPA wise)
 
i had this happen today.getting a inspection on a house.the plumber was putting his water test on the pipes.one of his plugs blew out and water went all over the place.water got on the wires on several places. no light boxes,switches or recpt outlets got wet.would you have replaced the wires? who would get to pay for it plumber,home owner or ec?
got me thinking about other things.what if your roof leaked.a pipe broke or just your tub overflowed.would you tear sheet rock out and replace the wires that had gotten wet?think i know the answers but had to ask:grin:
btw inspector passed everything
 
zdog said:
i had this happen today.getting a inspection on a house.the plumber was putting his water test on the pipes.one of his plugs blew out and water went all over the place.water got on the wires on several places. no light boxes,switches or recpt outlets got wet.would you have replaced the wires? who would get to pay for it plumber,home owner or ec?
got me thinking about other things.what if your roof leaked.a pipe broke or just your tub overflowed.would you tear sheet rock out and replace the wires that had gotten wet?think i know the answers but had to ask:grin:
btw inspector passed everything
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I think the way to handle that is to replace the ends of the cables that were adversely affected by the water. If the cable was not of a sufficient length, I would replace back only as far as necessary. Water on the outside of the cable wouldn't have a deletirious effect, IMHO, just those conditions where the paper jacket surrounding the egc was wetted.....:smile:
 
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