
Is Romex allowed in commercial framed buildings?
Romex is allowed in commercial buildings, as long as they are type 3,4,& 5 construction. You can even install romex in type 1 & 2 construction if it”s installed in conduit. Read remaining answer here.
Can you leave Romex exposed in garages or basements?
The short answer to the question is – no, you should never expose your Romex wiring in your garage. You should always cover Romex wiring in your property. This article will give you more details about Romex wiring and the pros and cons of using the Romex wiring. How Do You Cover Exposed Romex? Can Romex be Exposed in Garage? 1. Very Light Weight 2.
Does the Romex need to be in electrical conduit?
Yes, you can Romex in conduit. The National Electrical Code (NEC) recommends using non-metallic wires in tubes to prevent physical harm. A Romex cable contains three wires. These include two insulated wires (positive and negative) and a bare copper wire. Damage to the cable will expose the copper wire, creating further problems.
Can you run Romex in a conduit?
You can run romex in a conduit. This non-metallic wire is recommended to be run through conduits in order to protect it against physical damage. Otherwise, it remains more prone to damage than its metallic counterparts. While it is code to run romex in conduit outdoors, you can also do so indoors. Can you run romex in conduit?
Is a cable concealed or permissable?
Can you use romex in a ceiling?
Can you use romex in a common area?

Where is Romex not allowed?
To give you an overview of what the National Electrical Code (NEC) regulations state, Romex wire shouldn't be left exposed anywhere in the house, be it the basement, attic, or the home itself. In other words, the installation above is not compliant with the relevant codes.
What type of electrical wiring is used in commercial building?
Metal-clad cable (type MC) per NEC 330 is one of the more commonly used cable types in commercial construction. MC cable is a set of conductors assembled within a metallic sheath of either steel or aluminum interlocking armor where the sheath is not used as a ground path.
Can you use 14 gauge wire in a commercial building?
There is nothing in the NEC that prohibits the use of 14 AWG.
Can you use Romex in a hotel?
Article 334.10 Uses Permitted; in short states that romex shall be concealed within walls, floors or ceilings that provide a thermal barrier that has at least a 15 minute finish rating as identified in listings of fire rated assemblies.
What is the difference between commercial and residential wiring?
Residential wiring refers to any electrical work or wiring that's meant for residential buildings and houses. This type of wiring is confined to homeowners. On the other hand, commercial wiring is incredibly complicated and is designed for commercial buildings such as warehouses, hospitals, and malls.
What is the difference between commercial and residential electrical?
Residential electricians typically deal with single-phase systems ranging between 120V-240V. Commercial electricity is three-phase, where the conductors carry anywhere from 120V to 480V due to high commercial and industrial electrical load power requirements.
What type of wire is run in commercial but not in residential?
Commercial wiring has what is called a TTHT coating. TTHT is a thermoplastic, high-heat resistant, nylon coating that is much tougher than the wiring in your home. Because of the liability involved in commercial applications the wiring has to be tougher.
What happens if you use 14 gauge wire on a 20 amp circuit?
The answer is NO, see answers below but 14 gauge wiring in the circuit requires a 15 amp breaker. If you spend a few dollars more and use number 12 wire you can use the 20 amp breaker.
What is the minimum wire size used in a commercial building?
The NEC requires that #14 is minimum size wire to be used when wiring branch circuits.
Where can NM cable not be used?
Types NM and NMC cables shall not be permitted as follows: In any dwelling or structure not specifically permitted in 334.10(1), (2), (3), and (5) Exposed within a dropped or suspended ceiling cavity in other than one- and two-family and multifamily dwellings. As service-entrance cable.
Can you use Romex in a school building?
Also 334.12(2). So for all practical purposes romex is off limits for schools.
Can I put Romex in conduit?
one reason you don't put romex in conduit is because it creates more heat and is not advised in conduit if you have conduit you can run insulated wires instead it's probably cheaper. when you put romex inside conduit The Romex cannot breathe and retains too much heat.
How are commercial buildings wired?
In a commercial location, wiring is contained in tube-like conduits or in ceiling rafters for protection and ease of use. Because commercial locations change more often, the wiring is usually in areas where it is accessible to service. Residential and commercial buildings also require different loads of electricity.
Which type of wiring is most economical for commercial installation?
Raceways are the most economical cable and wire management system out there. However, some types cannot be installed in locations subject to physical damage.
Can MC cable be used in commercial buildings?
MC Cable Permitted Uses MC Cable, when listed and labeled for use, can be a wiring method in locations such as: Commercial, industrial, and residential/commercial buildings.
How many types of residential and commercial wiring systems are there?
5 Different Types of Electrical House Wiring Systems.
Using Romex in commercial applications? | Mike Holt's Forum
334.10(3) Other structures permitted to be of Types III, IV, and V construction except as prohibited in 334.12. Cables shall be concealed within walls, floors, or ceilings that
Romex in commercial buildings? - ECN Electrical Forums
I think it looks out of place in many of the locations you list. But without some facts to show it is unsafe what is the problem. I have some experience with the grocery store question and when there is a reason we have to run MC in place of NM the office tells us it is about a $60,000 change.
NM Romex in a Commercial Building | The Building Code Forum
My AHJ does not allow exposed NM in other than attics and crawl spaces/unfinished basements. It is possible that we are unique in that respect.
Using NM Cable (Romex) in Type I and II Construction
NM Cable or 'romex' was developed as a less expensive alternative to BX cable back in the early 1920's. Type NM cable has come a long way since then, including the addition of an equipment grounding conductor starting in the very early 1960's.
Romex in metal studs | Mike Holt's Forum
Re: Romex in metal studs Bob those work great with 4 sqs. but for the most part pvc bracket boxes are used and when there are 2 gangs and up you have to brace them to ease trim out.I like using pieces of metal studs to do this less weight than lumber and readily found.Nobody mentioned securing nm within distances from a box and running down the studs.There are stand offs that have one hole in ...
BX in commercial buildings | Electricians Forums | Electrical Safety ...
Hey so I am renting a large office space in NJ that used to be a school. The space is about 13k sq ft, with drop ceilings and there are fluorescent units throughout. I am slowly replacing all of the units with either pendant or led panels. What I’ve realized is that 98% of the wiring for these...
What type of wire is used in commercial buildings?
Metal-clad cable (type MC) per NEC 330 is one of the more commonly used cable types in commercial construction . MC cable is a set of conductors assembled within a metallic sheath of either steel or aluminum interlocking armor where the sheath is not used as a ground path. 26
Can you run Romex through metal studs?
When running NM cable through metal framing , inspect the holes to be sure there are no rough or sharp edges that could damage insulation.
Can you use Romex in a metal building?
Romex can be used in a metal building as long as the cable is protected through the holes in the studs with bushings. You should be careful to meet the support requirements in vertical strokes and boxes.
Can you use plastic electrical boxes in commercial buildings?
If NM cable is permitted then a plastic box will normally be permitted. Situations that won't allow a plastic box typically won't allow NM cable to be used either .
Is it legal to run Romex in conduit?
No, you can not run your Romex wiring in conduits . What you're looking at in the code book is referring to THHN and other wiring, that while insulated with a single coat is not insulated with a second covering and bound to 2 or 3 other wires.
Is Romex allowed in commercial buildings?
Romex is allowed in commercial buildings , as long as they are type 3,4,& 5 construction. You can even install romex in type 1 & 2 construction if it”s installed in conduit. 31-
Can you use NM above a suspended ceiling?
The three story limitation has been gone for a while but now it is against the code to use NM above a suspended ceiling in a non-dwelling unit.
Can you use a Romex in a drop ceiling?
Agreed. Here, there are quite a few commercial environments that we can use romex in, just not in a drop ceiling.
Is Annex E worth it?
According to Ryan Jackson, resident expert on the IBC ( ), Annex E is worth it's weight in toilet paper. The OP should probably refer to the original drawings of the job or consult the AHJ / building code.
Can you put exposed NM in a crawl space?
My AHJ does not allow exposed NM in other than attics and crawl spaces/unfinished basements. It is possible that we are unique in that respect. We can do that because we are .....well, us. Chicago outlaws the stuff entirely.
Is the NM romex allowed above a suspended ceiling?
There's the violation, the NM romex is not allowed above a suspended ceiling in a commercial application.
Is a cable concealed or permissable?
If its a hard lid, the cable is concealed, and therefore permissable.
Can you use romex in a ceiling?
Building classifications and fire ratings (stated by the IBC) determine which cabling methods can be used. Even though you can use romex in the walls , any cable above the ceiling in a common area cannot be romex.
Can you use romex in a common area?
Building classifications and fire ratings (stated by the IBC) determine which cabling methods can be used. Even though you can use romex in the wall s, any cable above the ceiling in a common area cannot be romex. I usually run MC for all my lighting and feed as much as I can through the walls, But for the runs I cannot, I use MC to the first box in the walls then switch to romex from there.
