m4ff3w
UberDork
1/19/23 5:36 p.m.
I need to make 60a circuit run literally just from the inside of my garage to the service panel on the exterior, nearly exactly on the opposite side of the garage wall.
So I figure I'll need some 4/3, some conduit, and connectors.
I'd rather not run that thick cable up and back down an exterior wall, so I'd like to just punch it through the wall. B
The electrical part of this, I'm 100% OK with. But I'm not sure of the type of conduit and fittings to keep it weather tight that I should be looking at.
Any advice?
Also...
As you might have guessed, this is the reason.
m4ff3w
UberDork
1/19/23 6:33 p.m.
I was thinking NB-M, unless there is a reason otherwise.
MC? Already in it's own conduit.
Rigid nipple. (I said what I said)
Use a watertight conduit hub at the panel.
When I was building the shop, I went straight from the back of the meter box, through the wall, and into the panel inside. I used two conduit box adapters and a section of pvc conduit between them. If you are using conduit and just going back to back, get individual THHN cables. You can buy them by the foot at Lowes Depot Racing Supply and when I priced it (a few years ago) it was cheaper.
Home Depot PVC Box Adapter
If it will be in conduit, use individual THHN/THWN conductors.
Agreed that individual conductors make the most sense here as long as you are in conduit through the wall.
RevRico
UltimaDork
1/20/23 10:26 a.m.
So I'm the only one that would just use a length of direct bury cable and be done with it?
You need to follow your local code. Suggestions from different parts of the country may not apply to you. But some things you can't do are universal. Don't run PVC through a wall, PVC is for underground. You cannot run NMB inside of conduit. If you are going through the wall, the rigid nipple is likely the best way through. Be sure to size it correctly- there will be a minimum conduit size for that circuit, it's not just what size pipe the wires physically fit in. I'm assuming this is for an EV charger? The picture doesn't show up for me. What kind of service? Are you going to a breaker in a meter main with distribution, or are you going to a sub panel? Is it surface mount or flush? From which direction are you trying to enter the panel?
Boost_Crazy said:
You cannot run NMB inside of conduit.
This is a common misconception but while there usually isn't any good reason to use it instead of individual THHN/THWN conductors, there isn't anything in the National Electric Code that prohibits it. The conduit does have to be sized appropriately, of course, and it's possible there may be local regulations against it.
In reply to stuart in mn :
Technically yes, but not in this application. NMB can't be run in conduit outside, and he wants to run this through a wall to the outside. Inside there doesn't appear to be any code against it, but like you said, there is very little reason to do it.
Also, there is another problem with running NMB in conduit. It makes it hard to/impossible to follow other parts of the code. When you reach a panel or j-box, that conduit needs to attach to that box with a connector. NMB is also supposed to attach to the same point with a connector. I am unaware of any box connector that will allow for both conduit and an NMB clamp in the same place.
m4ff3w
UberDork
1/20/23 4:52 p.m.
In reply to Boost_Crazy :
Yes, this is for the Tesla Wall Connector (and I think I fixed the image). I want to run 60a.
I have 200a surface mount service panel outside. I'll be entering from whichever side makes the most sense, I'm moving tomorrow, so I haven't had time to pull the cover off the panel and see which direction makes the most sense.
Existing circuits are:
70a to breaker box inside
40a dryer
30a AC
5a landscaping
40a input from solar
In reply to m4ff3w :
I don't see the label, but I think I know which meter main that is. There should be knock outs on the bottom back, and on the bottom. The one on the right is being used by the solar. Some of the others are likely already being used, so you will need to see what is available with the deadfront off. The easiest/safest way would be to exit the bottom into an LB condulet then into a rigid nipple through the wall. Cleanest would be a rigid nipple into one of the back knock outs, but it would be more difficult and you need to make sure that none of the existing wiring would interfere with that path. But definitely check your local code. I see the PV system is wired in with PVC, that wouldn't be compliant here.
m4ff3w
UberDork
1/20/23 5:33 p.m.
I'm not there and I don't have a zoomed out pic, but I think the conduit on the bottom right isn't where the PV comes in, but instead the feed to to meter.
Thanks for you suggestions! Hope to get it wired on Sunday. There is not 240v in the garage for the mobile charger, so I'd like the wall charger asap.
SV reX
MegaDork
1/20/23 7:16 p.m.
In reply to Boost_Crazy :
I'm not aware of anything that would prevent PVC conduit from being run in a wall. AFAIK, PVC conduit can be concealed in walls, floors, ceilings, direct burial, or embedded in concrete. [NEC Sec. 352.10(A)].
In reply to SV reX :
I can't find anything in the national code against it either, it looks like I'm wrong about that. But I never see it above ground unless it was a DIY job by a homeowner. Most of my business is commercial and industrial, so it doesn't come up often. But I have done a lot of resi solar, and they are very particular about using EMT if it is run externally.
Regarding the NMB in conduit question: my electrician tells me that is called "raceway-in-raceway" and is prohibited by code. Probably for the reasons covered here in that you can't follow proper code for both raceways at once.
Nmb in a conduit is definitely not "raceway in raceway." An example of That would be laying conduit in raceway to "separate" low and high voltage. I have nmb in my house run in the basement ceiling and into conduit into the garage. All fine by the code,
SV reX
MegaDork
1/21/23 8:04 a.m.
In reply to dculberson :
Your electrician needs to go back to school.
NMB is most definitely NOT a raceway. A raceway is an enclosure that houses and protects wires (conduit, wire mold, pipe, tubing, etc). A cable tray is not a raceway- it's a support structure.
There are no code restrictions to running NM (Romex) cable in conduit. But it's a bitch to try and do.
SV reX
MegaDork
1/21/23 8:07 a.m.
In reply to Boost_Crazy :
It's not used in locations where is is exposed to damage, which means it is often not used "above ground", but it is extremely common for service entrances (which are above ground)
A reminder because I recently filled out the company OSHA log and summary for last year and conduit played into it:
If you're using a pipe threader on a 90, mind where you rest your hands. It looked really painful when the doc was sewing up what was left of the guy's pinky.
m4ff3w
UberDork
1/22/23 10:17 p.m.
So I should be able to use one of those bottom three knockouts and go straight through the wall.
Looks like I need to get some individual THHN cables, some conduit, and a couple of ridgid nipples.
Thanks yall!