Wiring a detached garage without drywall

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That is a question for your AHJ. There are any number of definitions of "subject to physical damage" used by the various AHJs. Around here, you can't have exposed NM in a garage below 7' above the floor.
 
Presumably adding a running board over the path of the NM would be as good as covering the whole wall.
Some AHJs may allow vertical runs stapled to stud but not a horizontal run below 7'.
 
I feel like i read an article with a 1/4 in of material covering exposed nm.
Im curious as to why a different wiring method wouldnt be chosen.

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electricalist said:
I feel like i read an article with a 1/4 in of material covering exposed nm.
Im curious as to why a different wiring method wouldnt be chosen.

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My guess is you are thinking of this

334.10(3):
Other structures permitted to be of Types III, IV, and V construction. Cables shall be concealed within walls, floors, or ceilings that provide a thermal barrier of material that has at least a 15-minute finish rating as identified in listings of fire-rated assemblies.
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Then a little further down it says in 334.10(A):

Type NM cable shall be permitted as follows:
For both exposed and concealed work in normally dry locations except as prohibited in 334.10(3)
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electricalist said:
You are correct. I was tip toeing around the material type but sheetrock kept coming to mind.

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To have 15 minute finish rating I think you pretty much need at least 1/2 inch drywall, but this does not apply to dwellings or dwelling accessory buildings. If non dwelling and there is no drywall - NM cable is probably not allowed.
 
You may want to think beyond the code; think real life:
Garage: ladders, garden tools, etc.
Lots of things get swung around, and NM is not protected against any of them.
I would sell the customer on doing the wiring in MC or AC.
Lots of resi guys don't like working in anything other than NM, but you can always mark up the labor proportionally to the effort, as long as you explain the benefits of armored cable in the garage.
 
Nutmegger said:
You may want to think beyond the code; think real life:
Garage: ladders, garden tools, etc.
Lots of things get swung around, and NM is not protected against any of them.
I would sell the customer on doing the wiring in MC or AC.
Lots of resi guys don't like working in anything other than NM, but you can always mark up the labor proportionally to the effort, as long as you explain the benefits of armored cable in the garage.
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Don't forget the material costs. MC or AC is not permitted where subject to physical damage either so it wouldn't make much difference to the AHJ if he wanted it protected. I only had one inspector in my area ask that it be covered up to 4'. Even then he passed the job and said it was up to the HO. (Kind of funny he said he didn't care if they covered it with cardboard or stuffed insulation in there. Didn't need anything else.)
 
I may run EMT in such a situation - especially if not planning to cover walls. I can make a run around a small garage faster then I can drill all the holes to pull NM cable through - and use the raceway as EGC so save some copper cost. Multiple circuits - all pull through same raceway. Cost difference may not really be that much compared to NM. For those that never bend pipe though it may seem like a big deal.
 
kwired said:
I may run EMT in such a situation - especially if not planning to cover walls. I can make a run around a small garage faster then I can drill all the holes to pull NM cable through - and use the raceway as EGC so save some copper cost. Multiple circuits - all pull through same raceway. Cost difference may not really be that much compared to NM. For those that never bend pipe though it may seem like a big deal.
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Yep.

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Pipe it. Then you know it will be pretty safe.

At least pipe the vertical sections up to a j-box.

Edit: I see you already have it wired.

Call your city offices and just ask what they need to see in order for you to pass. Find out for sure if they are covering it.
This is stuff you need nailed down before you give a price.

We do some storage/ unfinished shops, but everything is in emt except the mc whips to the lights.
 
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J.P. said:
Pipe it. Then you know it will be pretty safe. ...
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Subject to physical damage is always a relative determination. Armored cable can withstand more abuse than NM before being damaged, but do inspectors see it that way? Definitely run pipe in a garage in which the owner parks a Cat' D3... :D
 
I considered running the nm up to the top of the studs and nailing to the top plate compliant. I also think that following the stud down to the outlet box is compliant. Personally I would run the wire in the attic above and thru a hole at the top in case someone wants to sheetrock later.

As others have said this is an authority having jurisdiction call
 
Hopefully its not nm going to the bldg.

Id probably run rmc from the house if theres a panel in the garage. Use the rmc as the egc plus a suplemental gec for the panel.
If its a single or mwbc Id. run uf


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Jecoelectric said:
Wiring a detached storage garage, the owners will probably not cover the walls with drywall or plywood, do I need to protect the wiring. The nmb is run through studs to boxes.
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Dennis Alwon said:
I considered running the nm up to the top of the studs and nailing to the top plate compliant. I also think that following the stud down to the outlet box is compliant. Personally I would run the wire in the attic above and thru a hole at the top in case someone wants to sheetrock later.

As others have said this is an authority having jurisdiction call
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Dennis I was thinking the same thing. I see no problem with running the NM down the side of the studs ( there shouldn't be that many in a storage area). I normally put receptacles pretty high up when doing a storage area so they can get to them with boxes and things on the floor area or if they build a work bench.

It sound like he has already run the NM through the studs and wants to know if protection is required. I think there is a good chance protection will be required but that's an AHJ call.
 
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