Can Romex be exposed in detached garage?

Exposed NM, NMC and NMS cable are allowed to be run in “one- and two-family dwellings, their attached or detached garages, and their storage buildings” by the National Electrical Code (NEC 334.10 and 334.15).

Is Romex OK in garage?





A non-compliant installation due to all the exposed Romex wiring. Romex is a brand name of non-metal sheathing wire. 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.

What kind of wire do I need for a detached garage?

Use #8 THHN wire for a 50-amp sub-panel or #2 THHN wire if the sub-panel is 100 amps. Run the wire from the main panel to the sub-panel box. Run black, red, white and green wires from the sub-panel box to the main panel box. If the weather is cold outside, keep the wire inside to keep it warm.

Can you use MC cable in garage?

Can MC cable (14-2) be used to wire a residential garage? Article 330 says it can be used as open runs of cable not subject to physical damage. Rather than fish wires through walls, the MC cable would be run exposed to supply electrical outlets. Also, there is no seperate ground wire, just the bonding wire.

Is MC cable better than Romex?

Safety: Compared to Romex, MC cable is safer to install due to its metallic sheath. This sheath helps protect against accidental shearing and penetration, reducing the risk for accidental wire exposure. Romex sheathing is easily penetrated or sheared, making it less safe unless run through protective conduit.

Why can’t Romex be exposed?





Sheathing on Romex is made of tough polyvinyl chloride (PVC) thermoplastic. The sheathing on both 14 and 12 AWG wire is 19 mils thick. Still, no matter how strong the NM sheathing, it is not meant for exposed applications.

How do you wire an unfinished garage?

We’ll walk you through each step from beginning to end to wire your unfinished garage.

  1. Step 1: Place Your Electrical Boxes. …
  2. Step 2: Drill Holes in the Studs for Your Cables. …
  3. Step 3: Run Your Cable Wires Through Each Box. …
  4. Step 4: Run Your Cables Along Beams, Corners, Gables. …
  5. Step 5: Install Conduits Where Appropriate.


How do you wire a detached garage?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: This picture shows two copper rods that you will have to pound into the ground and they have to be six feet apart.

Does wire in a garage need to be in conduit?



Many garages contain one or more walls made of concrete or already drywalled. Cable installed on these exposed surfaces has to be protected by conduit. We show EMT (electrical metallic tubing; Photo 7), but you can also use rigid PVC conduit.

Where is MC cable not allowed?

330 of the NEC mentions that MC cable can be used indoor and outdoor but does not make mention of it being allowed or disallowed for use in damp environments. It does state that when used in wet locations there must be a corrosion-resistant jacket to protect the conductors.

What is MC wire used for?

Type MC cables are widely used in 600 volt and MV power, lighting and fixture whip control applications. They are permitted for use on services, feeders and branch circuits for power, lighting, control and signaling circuits in accordance with Article 330 and 725 of the NEC.

Can MC cable be run outside?



The MC Cable itself can be outside but it can’t terminate outside as the listed mc connectors say “DRY ONLY”. There is MC cable that is suitable for outdoor/wet installation and so are there suitable connections available.

Where is MC cable required?

Type MC cable installed on the bottom of floor or ceiling joists must be secured at every joist and not be subject to physical damage [Sec. 330.15].

Can you use Romex connectors on MC cable?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Or you can simply reverse this strap and utilize. It for romex nm cable so a very versatile connector that can be used in the field.

When would you use Romex cable?

Romex is used for most lighting and outlet circuits in your home. Romex will be labeled with “12-2” or “12-3”. The first number indicates the gauge of the wire. You choices are typically 10, 12, or 14 gauge.

Can Romex wire be used outside?



Romex wires cannot be used outdoors because, if it gets wet with water, gas, oil or another solvent, these liquids could penetrate the jacket and ruin the connection by getting in contact with the bare copper ground wire.

What is white Romex used for?

White ROMEX®



It is commonly used for outlets, lights and smoke detectors in the home. This 14-gauge wire is called 14-2 when two insulated wire conductors are included and 14-3 with three wires.

What is the difference between indoor and outdoor Romex?

While the electrical wire meant for outdoor use can be used indoors, it would be dangerous to use indoor wires outside. Indoor wire is designed for use within the house and is not prepared to handle the external factors found outdoor such as temperature, moisture and even chemicals in some cases.

What is orange Romex for?

The orange-colored wire sheathing is set aside for 10-gauge wire. It is able to handle 30-amp circuit loads. These loads include air conditioners, water heater feeds, and any other 30-amp loads.

What type of cable should be used to bring electricity into the building?



1. NM Cable. The most common type of home electrical wiring is the NM cable, also known as the Romex cable, after the most popular electrical wiring brand name. The NM cables contain three or more individual conductors, wrapped together in a sheathing, which is a flexible plastic jacket.