Conduit isn't just for watertightness. Conduit protects the wires from being damaged accidentally. It'sa safety feature that should not be skipped in an outdoor installation.
There are cables with a metal sheeting that can take some hits before getting damaged. Here in Sweden we rarelly use conduit outside for normal outlets and lights. We do still use them for power distribution cables that goes to other breaker boxes but that is because the higher current cables are so expensive when they have metal sheating. Usually only power companies use those to feed power between houses in the ground.
She's wrong in saying conduit is for water protection. I'd say conduit is good additional protection, but it isn't necessary. Armoured cable is the alternative. I've put armoured cable in conduit, not so much for protection, as for any subsequent need to rewire.
I always use PVC conduit for any outdoor installation because protecting the wires from critters is just as important as protecting them from moisture and physical damage This one friend of mine who's an electrician told me he has had alot of calls to fix shorted out equipment along with damaged wiring caused by critters and he said it was hell because in almost all cases , The wiring and the equipment had to be replaced because of the severity of the damage critters do , Also I use single conductor wires in conduit because they allow for heat dissipation when using a high wattage appliance , Running Romex or UF cable in conduit traps heat and is not allowed by code in many areas
Been married to my wife and living in a house she already had for 18 and a half years. We have a very large covered deck out back and I always wanted a plug. Had an electrician install a Generac last year and I got him to put in a plug which has been great. Now we have sold our house and moving in about 30 days to a brand new house that will have a deck plug and ceiling fan. Great video and recommend anyone who has a deck to have a plug.
Always check with your local inspector. External receptacles may have extra requirements. In my area, outdoor outlets must be weather resistant and all exposed wiring must be in conduit. She says it quickly towards the end, but always check local requirements. They are intended for your safety.
Nice job April. For those that don’t know, UF stands for underground feeder. UF cable is rated for wet environments and direct burial. Romex is not rated for wet environments so UF is the right cable for under the deck.
@@jdrl143 if it can handle the conditions under ground it certainly can handle the conditions under a deck. Where does it say in the code that UF must be buried or in conduit? And to everyone talking about pests chewing on the UF cable, the same thing happens in attics when rodents get in. And if you’ve been in any attic in New England there is always signs of mice even in new houses.
The issues s not rodents but accidental damage by humans. Anyplace that is unfinished but accessible by humans may need conduit. Always check with your inspector. Codes are for our protection.
@@TomCee53 what she did is not against code. I wouldn’t consider that location to be a place that is subject to physical damage. It is stapled along the porch joists. No different than romex running along floor joists in the basement or ceiling joists in the attic. If we follow your logic everything that is concealed in a wall would have to be in a conduit. And don’t forget the jacket on UF cable is 10 times tougher than romex jacket.
That is a neat trick, and it probably is legal in most areas. I used to work at a big box hardware. When customers always asked what the purpose of conduit was I always told them it is to keep fools and dogs from chewing on the wires. Please remember the elements are not the only thing to worry about.
Even though type UF cable was being used and is easier to run and even though it was ran under the deck , The problem is that it's exposed that critters can easily get at it and start chewing on it , You're much better off to use PVC conduit for better protection against moisture and physical damage and also critters This one friend of mine who's an electrician told me that he's had alot of calls fixing damaged wiring and equipment caused by critters and he hates it
Nice job! Glad to see you used gfci protection and great idea putting it indoors. Gfci outlets don't really last long with outdoor exposure, even the Wet Location ones. As an electrician I can tell you, UF cable is usually intended for burial because it's protected when used underground at certain depth. The cable should not be exposed and should be mechanically protected anywhere above ground. The jacket is more water resistant but not really UV or critter resistant. If you are going to leave it this way, maybe change the outlet to a combo gfci/afci for better protection, incase case a rodent gets the munchies or gets damaged by a piece of yard equipment.
Nice. You may want to have a look a Klein Tools or Knipex pliers for electrical work. Also Wago lever nuts are preferred by most DIYers. One suggestion... Regarding the box (or boxes) you mounted below the deck, I suggest you leave drip loops where your wires enter the box that will mean much less dependence on those rubber bushings. And, you may want to mount these boxes slightly off horizontal and drill your drain hole in the lower corner. This reduces the chance for standing water inside the box.
Please note that what meets electrical code in your area does not necessarily mean it applies elsewhere, even within the same country. Much of what was shown here would not meet code in my county.
Your county seems very strict. I didn’t see any NEC violations in this installation. But I have been out of the game for a while so I’m not up on the latest NEC.
I've had UF chewed on...everything gets conduit now. As well as it gives more protection. But if you need to pull new wire you'll be very glad it's there.
Electricity is not hard if you just pay attention to what you are doing. My dad was in that business and now we hardly ever have trouble. Like you said getting the wire to where it needs to go is the toughest part of the job. That was an excellent video. Thank you.👍♥️
FYI, you are only allowed to use 40% of the internal volume of the conduit to run wires. NEC (National Electric Code for the US) states that in black and white inside of it.
Nice installation. I prefer conduit just because I think it makes a neater installation. I have not seen the water proof outlet cover before. Looks very good. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂
I used romex in PVC conduit on my deck and the one issue I never counted on , was how much expansion / contraction I had with the seasons ... It's a fairly long run and an expansion joint needs to be put in the run. Nice video...
I hate to be Safety Sally here, however; Keep in mind that NM-B cable shouldn't be installed in conduit. Individual rated wires such as THHN would be used only in conduit. Because of the outer sheath, NM cable can't get rid of the heat, and is already derated to 60C even though the wires are rated for 90C. If you remove the jacket you also remove the approval of the wire. Also any conduit used below grade or above grade in wet locations is indeed considered to be wet inside. (article 300-5(b) and 300-9) And because NM-B can't be used in wet locations, you can't use it in conduit, again THHN or equivalent approved should be used Also NMC (UF-B) must be protected (article 334-15(b)) states in part: 334.15 Exposed Work. In exposed work, except as provided in 300.11(A), cable shall be installed as specified in 334.15(A) through (C). (B) Protection from Physical Damage. Cable shall be protected from physical damage where necessary by rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, Schedule 80 PVC conduit, Type RTRC marked with the suffix -XW, or other approved means. Article 340 also goes on to state that because UF-B is NM cable, it must be protected and in conduit above ground in wet locations. It can be directly buried at least 18-24" deep without conduit, but once out of the ground must be protected in conduit. 🤷♂🤠
Great information. You put "NMC (UF-B)" but these are two different cables types are they not? You can't direct bury "Type NMC" (plastic rather than paper sheath), but UF-B is meant for direct burial. I'm not sure if that changes your reading of Article 340, I was hunting for it but gave up. I'm just an amateur. 😉 I remember I had just read "Wiring Simplified" cover-to-cover and a buddy was burying Type NM in conduit, and I was pretty sure I had just read that it was considered a wet location. Yeah, 334.12 (Uses Not Permitted) was amended in the 2008 version to include "In damp or wet locations". This install was in like 2009. I was ignored of course.
@@pfa231 ... I forget where I saw it in NEC, but recalling you can put NM in short runs of conduit for protection. IOW, running bare in the rafters, but a few feet of conduit down a wall in a basement would be "for protection" and also for fastening to the concrete block wall where you can't normally run NM cable. What you shouldn't do is run it 20 feet across the garage ceiling in conduit.
@rupe53 NEC 2011 (the only one I have here) specifically calls for NM to be run in conduit in 334.15. There is nothing wrong with NM in any length of conduit (apart from conduit sizing issues and being a nightmare to pull).
I always use PVC conduit for outdoor installations because type UF is for direct burial and not only does the installation have to be water tight , There's critters that will chew on UF cable if ran on the surface , Even though it's ran under the deck , It's still exposed which critters can get at it and depending on your area , may not meet code so check the codes in your area before you begin Also whenever I do an outdoor installation installation I use single conductor wire , Not run Romex or other cable in the conduit because if you plug in a high wattage appliance , Single conductor wire allows for heat dissipation and Romex or other cables ran in conduit is not allowed by code in many areas , So always use PVC conduit to protect the wiring not only from moisture but from critters as well One of my electrician friends was telling me about alot of calls he had to go on fixing shorted out electrical equipment caused by rodents and other critters and almost every time , Had to replace the wiring because of the damage the critters did along with the short circuits
As a 40+yr commercial/industrial electrician, I am impressed with the skill level of your installation. The only things I would add are: Install a bushing on the threads of you male adaptor and pull loose conductors in the conduit (if you didn't do this already) NM cable is not rated to be pulled into conduit with rated conductors. As far as a DYI- excellent video!
Great video you are certainly well versed on the subject. I would tend to stick with a conduit unless I was convinced the cable run couldn’t be physically damaged or eaten by critters. I live on the Texas coast and salt fog corrosion is a nightmare especially for GFI circuits. So the value of this video to me was seeing what material options may work best.
I think the greater hazard would be someone thinking it's OK to HANG SOMETHING off the exposed cable, which is why code gets finicky in locations like outdoors (esp. between structures) or laundry rooms.
Used this process to wire our deck. I have had a couple issues in the last 25 yrs with that decision..both self inflicted. 1. I have everything wired through a gfi , so I had to have a line / load tutorial with an electrician friend. 2. I had a never used plug hidden from view, so I forgot it was there. Over the years, it eventually got about a 1/2” of water in it. Well, water & power.. you know the rest. Eventually found the issue, removed the plug & we’re good again.
They make a self adjusting wire stripper that you can use to cut and strip romex. No need to know the wire Guage and is by far the best purchase I made in adding electric to my deck.
Hi, it might be interesting for your viewers how to make sure that power is off when performing work with electricity, since many people just turn off the breaker and don't test, or they use NCV-Testers or Multimeters instead of proper electrical testers and they don't know the process of testing and turning it off reliably (locking it, etc.). This is such an important task and I would love to see you make a video about it to raise awareness... Thank you!
Nice job. The duplex receptacle should be weather rated. Also, not all outdoor receptacles need an in-use cover. NEC 406.9 states that if not in a wet location the old style gasketed flip covers are fine. So, if it's under a roof far enough, those ugly in-use covers are not required.
Bonjour . Depuis le temps que je regarde vos sublimes post , une chose est sur , vous êtes géniale est vous avez pris aucunes rides , Bravo chère April . Amitiés venant de la France ( Europe )
I have some lever lock connectors for using with 12vdc, but I don't think they are 110 vac approaved! So, use the right equipment, when running house power!
Good Job! I am guessing that one reason conduit is used, is to add an extra layer of protection from SQUIRRELS! Squirrels and/or rodents love to chew wires, especially if the wire is coated with a soy-based covering. Newer Cars that have soy-based wire, are being destroyed by the varmints! You should build a Bat House, since bats love to eat insects, and the Texas Hill Country has many bats. Bats are your silent friend!
I've hard romex in conduit is not water tight or good practice. But perhaps that's because I've been dealing with burying. Is it allowable if you're above ground?
It's not technically illegal to have romex in conduit, but it's generally frowned upon due to the potential for heat buildup. Usually you'll want to either run individual THHN wires, or strip the outer sheathing off the romex before running it through conduit.
@@mattdever6835 Good point about not running Romex in conduit, but the individual strands of Romex have no temperature rating stamped on them and would also be a no-no. THHN is the way to go in conduit. The local inspector would probably reject this DIY job, unfortunately.
Romex isn't allowed in wet/damp locations, and outdoor conduit is considered one of those. The issue is the insulation. Romex can be run in conduit indoors, it's just difficult to do. UF is of course allowed outside, since it's designed to be buried (hence the Underground Feeder designation). I'm unclear on whether it can be run the way April did it. Probably, but Romex must inaccessible in normal use, and protected from damage.
Yeah being sealed from the elements is really only about 10% of my concern when burying electrical: 90% of the time myself, my family, or some critter accidentally severing the underground wire is much more likely, so I opt for conduit for the extra protection it provides from that.
"It's just a garage." I think your viewers need to know that some of the walls in an attached garage are RATED WALLS, meaning you cannot just cut the drywall and not patch it back in. In your case, the wall was shared with the outside, not living space, so it may not be as big of a deal, unless there is a habitable space above your garage, in which case I think you need to patch it so that fire cannot travel up the stud bay.
Question: if you came from the garage circuit to th wide to an outlet outside, the garage circuit is supposed to be gfci protected anyway. How did you add another gfci outlet to a gfci protected circuit?
Yes, get a Hubbell pop out cover. That's what I used to replace my broken cover in back. You have to pull it out if you want to use the in use corner for the extension cord, but it's very sleek. Much less of a tripping hazard compared to what April installed here.
I was looking at that too. One is required to do all the work for electrical safety, but end up with a giant tripping hazard. I think a flush mount located at the point of use could be better in this instance.
@@zugzug2849 ... yes, a trip hazard is a real concern, but so is a broken cover, that most people will never replace. Besides, that same broken cover can cut the crap out of your leg as you walk by. Mounting on a different side of that post (out of traffic) is probably the best solution.
I just want to say that I think your truly amazing, and the way you explain yourself and projects are top notch. Also I’m sure you’ve probably already heard this today but I just want to say that you are absolutely Gorgeous and I believe I have done fell in love with you Mam lol Keep up the amazing work. Thank you
I mean, for a home-gaming RUclipsr carpenter, this is fine. I've seen so many rat nests by proper electricians that I appreciate someone who can staple a run within 15 degrees of its home run.
Q: on outlets I have a GFCI I want to mount a 75” 4K tv on my wall eventually when I have time but can I daisy chain power cable from bottom outlets to a gfci outlet that is going behind my 75” tv when mounted
FYI see National Code NEC 300.5(D)(1) . Above 8 feet you will be ok but if the UF riser comes from grade level conduit is required to 8 foot point. And, if you have gone that far might as well hang conduit for the rest. Of course your local building inspector may have something to say about exposed UF on the order of " rip it out and do over I am not approving that". I find running conduit easier than than arguing and much safer. We have voracious squirrels and clumsy contractors here.
Thank you so much! Yes, people forget not all of my Viewers are on the same skill level. I know starting out, I needed someone to explain what I need and why, then show me how. I'm glad you find it useful. Thanks for your kind words and for watching.
I use GFCI outlets for my outside boxes. They aren't all THAT expensive and they keep me from having to go inside to find the popped GFCI button. In fact, I very seldom use the LOAD terminals on a GFCI outlet...
Curious, April, what was your wire gauge on the UF wire run below the deck? I am doing the same thing, but my wiring is running under a roof overhanging on the deck I am building. Thxs
@@bigguydiy2184 ... did you know you can use 15 amp sockets as long as there are several on the circuit? You really only need 20 amp units if it's industrial or a single dedicated receptacle on the wire run. All 15 amp units allow 20 amps on the pass-through to the next unit.
I admire that there is nothing that you won’t tackle, April, and enjoy all your videos. I also watched and enjoyed all the Assembly Required shows. I would like to have seen how you ran the Romex thru the existing conduit with the multiple 90 degree turns and the length. Did you use air pressure to feed a pull string? It had to be a pain.
yeah the real benefit of over sized conduit you only have to dig once , you only buy it once and , its not much more expensive unless your going ginormous. yeah especially when your running thhn wires. its a few bucks more but if you run power tools you'll be quite happy
California does not allow UF cable to be run above ground. Shielded cable like UF and Romex are not intended to be run inside conduit. It can overheat. Please check your local building and electrical codes before doing any wiring.
I try to keep my videos sticking to one subject at a time and 8 mins or less. People get anxious and click away to check out other channels, etc so too long and people never see the end.
Nice video but technically that small piece of conduit from the receptacle should have a female adapter with romex connector screwed into it. That UF cable should be support ed at the end of the conduit.
By reading below you can see there are many ways to do this and meet code! I would put the GFCI at the first receptacle on the deck so that if it tripped I would not have to walk all the way inside. I would also nail the romex to the side of the 2x4, easier to hammer and I think better protected from people bumping it going under it. 😂
A weep hole in a watertight box sounds like it could be an issue depending on the climate, Water vapor in high humidity environments would just collect water in the box and sit on your connections. Not a point out of experience, just thinking out loud. If someone has experience I'd like to hear about it.
You do not need tha male coupler , you must ream the pvc . Or if you are going to use the male coupler you need a plastic bushing on it if . The fitting itself is not necessarily considered to be “bushed”
Intresting, cool looking deck. Although the plug for the electrical outlet should be put in flush with outside of the box. This doesnt allow water too pool in the threaded cavity
In areas that freeze, having the cavity filled with water and then freezing could lead to a crack in the box allowing water to enter the box. In theory, the GFCI would shut down the circut, but it could be a tough job to figure out why the GFCI keeps tripping.
Thanks for making outdoor wiring easy April! You always do excellent research. This will save me a lot of time during my next outdoor wiring job. I especially like the Lever Wire Connectors, and the Wire Strippers. Thanks Again and Enjoy a Great Day!!!
Would not the metal fittings on the plastic FS box need to be grounded as they are metal? A metal FS box would allow you to put your ground wire to the box thereby grounding the box and the fittings.
nice installation, I noticed your garage's conduit is pvc, by code you're not supposed to use pvc indoors, the conduit is toxic in case of a fire can harm people with the fumes.
Does your local code not require mechanical protection of the cable at 4:58 or other parts? I would be worried if the underside of the deck is going to be used for storage of any kind, the cable could become damaged while moving stuff in and out. In that case the conduit would not be for protection from water/UV but rather from mechanical damage.
Hi April, long time no post, huh!? Don't mistake me for not posting that often anymore, has nothing to do with your videos or the content! No, quite the opposite, I watch all your videos! I liked especially the one when you collaborated with Tim Allen and Richard Karn on "Assembly Required"! Keep up the great work! Oh, and I definitely like the "Good Bye" wave with your hand/arm at the end of every video!
personally, I feel USB ports belong at a table or countertop height. Why put expensive electronics near the floor to charge? Even if the cord will reach, why bend over that far to plug stuff in? You wind up stepping on the cord or kicking things too close to the floor.
Not all areas allow wires to be stapled to underside of joist. Only THHN stranded wires are to be used in conduit. Drilling a drain hole in an outdoor outlet introduces moisture in the form of condensation from the heating and cooling of the outlet and wires thus shortening the life of the outlets.
The actual outlet on the front isn't airtight... Any condensation would exist regardless of a hole. I do think it's unnecessary, but I don't think it'll harm anything.
Actually, water and electricity mix just fine with one another. It's just when you start diluting that mixture with other organic materials (namely ones that require a heartbeat and oxygen for optimal continued performance) that the problems begin.
The trouble begins when there are dissolved minerals in the water. There are always dissolved minerals in natural water sources. Please take your foolishenss somewher else.
Meh, much prefer to use PVC jacketed MC for the task as it provides for a much more robust cabling solution and it cleaner looking. Not a fan of UF after all the repairs I ave had to do over the years.
Conduit isn't just for watertightness. Conduit protects the wires from being damaged accidentally. It'sa safety feature that should not be skipped in an outdoor installation.
There are cables with a metal sheeting that can take some hits before getting damaged. Here in Sweden we rarelly use conduit outside for normal outlets and lights. We do still use them for power distribution cables that goes to other breaker boxes but that is because the higher current cables are so expensive when they have metal sheating. Usually only power companies use those to feed power between houses in the ground.
She's wrong in saying conduit is for water protection. I'd say conduit is good additional protection, but it isn't necessary. Armoured cable is the alternative. I've put armoured cable in conduit, not so much for protection, as for any subsequent need to rewire.
Over kill, mc cable is way more expensive than thhn.
It also helps to keep rodents etc from chewing on the wires
I always use PVC conduit for any outdoor installation because protecting the wires from critters is just as important as protecting them from moisture and physical damage
This one friend of mine who's an electrician told me he has had alot of calls to fix shorted out equipment along with damaged wiring caused by critters and he said it was hell because in almost all cases , The wiring and the equipment had to be replaced because of the severity of the damage critters do , Also I use single conductor wires in conduit because they allow for heat dissipation when using a high wattage appliance , Running Romex or UF cable in conduit traps heat and is not allowed by code in many areas
Been married to my wife and living in a house she already had for 18 and a half years. We have a very large covered deck out back and I always wanted a plug. Had an electrician install a Generac last year and I got him to put in a plug which has been great. Now we have sold our house and moving in about 30 days to a brand new house that will have a deck plug and ceiling fan. Great video and recommend anyone who has a deck to have a plug.
Always check with your local inspector. External receptacles may have extra requirements. In my area, outdoor outlets must be weather resistant and all exposed wiring must be in conduit. She says it quickly towards the end, but always check local requirements. They are intended for your safety.
I learned something new and valuable, deserves a tip! Thanks!
Thanks! I'm glad you found it useful and I appreciate the Tip. Thanks for watching.
Nice job April. For those that don’t know, UF stands for underground feeder. UF cable is rated for wet environments and direct burial. Romex is not rated for wet environments so UF is the right cable for under the deck.
Like you just stated it is for underground not above ground use so no this wouldn’t be right thing to use unless you put it in conduit
@@jdrl143 if it can handle the conditions under ground it certainly can handle the conditions under a deck. Where does it say in the code that UF must be buried or in conduit? And to everyone talking about pests chewing on the UF cable, the same thing happens in attics when rodents get in. And if you’ve been in any attic in New England there is always signs of mice even in new houses.
UF is also UV rated so I don't see an issue with above ground use. Would like to see a weather rated outlet though
The issues s not rodents but accidental damage by humans. Anyplace that is unfinished but accessible by humans may need conduit. Always check with your inspector. Codes are for our protection.
@@TomCee53 what she did is not against code. I wouldn’t consider that location to be a place that is subject to physical damage. It is stapled along the porch joists. No different than romex running along floor joists in the basement or ceiling joists in the attic. If we follow your logic everything that is concealed in a wall would have to be in a conduit. And don’t forget the jacket on UF cable is 10 times tougher than romex jacket.
Even though I've done jobs like this in the past, I always pick up something new from you, April. Thanks!
So glad! That's great to hear. Thanks for watching.
That is a neat trick, and it probably is legal in most areas. I used to work at a big box hardware. When customers always asked what the purpose of conduit was I always told them it is to keep fools and dogs from chewing on the wires. Please remember the elements are not the only thing to worry about.
Even though type UF cable was being used and is easier to run and even though it was ran under the deck , The problem is that it's exposed that critters can easily get at it and start chewing on it , You're much better off to use PVC conduit for better protection against moisture and physical damage and also critters
This one friend of mine who's an electrician told me that he's had alot of calls fixing damaged wiring and equipment caused by critters and he hates it
@@ironmartysharpe8293 I ran my outdoor internet and computer wiring in PVC just so the critters don't see it and immediately think it's licorice.
I found some UF cable that had been run about 3" below ground level. Digging into a powered cable is not my idea of fun, so I removed it.
My new idea on the dock maybe and porch
If I'm doing old work, I've switched to using Southwire Smart Boxes if I'm near a stud instead of the butteryfly types.
I like how much she emphasized building code in this video. If you're going to take something like this on, make sure you do it RIGHT.
Nice job! Glad to see you used gfci protection and great idea putting it indoors. Gfci outlets don't really last long with outdoor exposure, even the Wet Location ones. As an electrician I can tell you, UF cable is usually intended for burial because it's protected when used underground at certain depth. The cable should not be exposed and should be mechanically protected anywhere above ground. The jacket is more water resistant but not really UV or critter resistant. If you are going to leave it this way, maybe change the outlet to a combo gfci/afci for better protection, incase case a rodent gets the munchies or gets damaged by a piece of yard equipment.
Good afternoon, April! Thanks for sharing! Something else to add to my list. 😁
Nice. You may want to have a look a Klein Tools or Knipex pliers for electrical work. Also Wago lever nuts are preferred by most DIYers. One suggestion... Regarding the box (or boxes) you mounted below the deck, I suggest you leave drip loops where your wires enter the box that will mean much less dependence on those rubber bushings. And, you may want to mount these boxes slightly off horizontal and drill your drain hole in the lower corner. This reduces the chance for standing water inside the box.
Please note that what meets electrical code in your area does not necessarily mean it applies elsewhere, even within the same country. Much of what was shown here would not meet code in my county.
Your county seems very strict. I didn’t see any NEC violations in this installation. But I have been out of the game for a while so I’m not up on the latest NEC.
Hence her statement of "in your area"!?
I’d be curious to know what specific code violations you see
@@markgallagher1376technically the weep hole in the outdoor box (I wouldn’t fail it), and the receptacle doesn’t look like a WR receptacle.
Loving the deck 🤠
I've had UF chewed on...everything gets conduit now. As well as it gives more protection. But if you need to pull new wire you'll be very glad it's there.
Electricity is not hard if you just pay attention to what you are doing. My dad was in that business and now we hardly ever have trouble. Like you said getting the wire to where it needs to go is the toughest part of the job. That was an excellent video. Thank you.👍♥️
FYI, you are only allowed to use 40% of the internal volume of the conduit to run wires. NEC (National Electric Code for the US) states that in black and white inside of it.
Nice installation. I prefer conduit just because I think it makes a neater installation. I have not seen the water proof outlet cover before. Looks very good. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂
Thanks!
I used romex in PVC conduit on my deck and the one issue I never counted on , was how much expansion / contraction I had with the seasons ... It's a fairly long run and an expansion joint needs to be put in the run. Nice video...
Cant run romex in a wet location
hello April awesome video on wiring outlets ya has come a long ways with this project so kool have a great the rest of your week be safe 💕
Thank you! You too!
I hate to be Safety Sally here, however;
Keep in mind that NM-B cable shouldn't be installed in conduit. Individual rated wires such as THHN would be used only in conduit. Because of the outer sheath, NM cable can't get rid of the heat, and is already derated to 60C even though the wires are rated for 90C. If you remove the jacket you also remove the approval of the wire.
Also any conduit used below grade or above grade in wet locations is indeed considered to be wet inside. (article 300-5(b) and 300-9) And because NM-B can't be used in wet locations, you can't use it in conduit, again THHN or equivalent approved should be used Also NMC (UF-B) must be protected (article 334-15(b)) states in part: 334.15 Exposed Work. In exposed work, except as provided in 300.11(A), cable shall be installed as specified in 334.15(A) through (C).
(B) Protection from Physical Damage. Cable shall be protected from physical damage where necessary by rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, Schedule 80 PVC conduit, Type RTRC marked with the suffix -XW, or other approved means.
Article 340 also goes on to state that because UF-B is NM cable, it must be protected and in conduit above ground in wet locations. It can be directly buried at least 18-24" deep without conduit, but once out of the ground must be protected in conduit.
🤷♂🤠
Great information.
You put "NMC (UF-B)" but these are two different cables types are they not? You can't direct bury "Type NMC" (plastic rather than paper sheath), but UF-B is meant for direct burial. I'm not sure if that changes your reading of Article 340, I was hunting for it but gave up. I'm just an amateur. 😉
I remember I had just read "Wiring Simplified" cover-to-cover and a buddy was burying Type NM in conduit, and I was pretty sure I had just read that it was considered a wet location. Yeah, 334.12 (Uses Not Permitted) was amended in the 2008 version to include "In damp or wet locations". This install was in like 2009. I was ignored of course.
Thank you 🙏
Could you provide a reference to NEC where it states NM is not allowed to be run in conduit?
@@pfa231 ... I forget where I saw it in NEC, but recalling you can put NM in short runs of conduit for protection. IOW, running bare in the rafters, but a few feet of conduit down a wall in a basement would be "for protection" and also for fastening to the concrete block wall where you can't normally run NM cable. What you shouldn't do is run it 20 feet across the garage ceiling in conduit.
@rupe53 NEC 2011 (the only one I have here) specifically calls for NM to be run in conduit in 334.15. There is nothing wrong with NM in any length of conduit (apart from conduit sizing issues and being a nightmare to pull).
Thanks April. Good stuff, as always.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
I always use PVC conduit for outdoor installations because type UF is for direct burial and not only does the installation have to be water tight , There's critters that will chew on UF cable if ran on the surface , Even though it's ran under the deck , It's still exposed which critters can get at it and depending on your area , may not meet code so check the codes in your area before you begin
Also whenever I do an outdoor installation installation I use single conductor wire , Not run Romex or other cable in the conduit because if you plug in a high wattage appliance , Single conductor wire allows for heat dissipation and Romex or other cables ran in conduit is not allowed by code in many areas , So always use PVC conduit to protect the wiring not only from moisture but from critters as well
One of my electrician friends was telling me about alot of calls he had to go on fixing shorted out electrical equipment caused by rodents and other critters and almost every time , Had to replace the wiring because of the damage the critters did along with the short circuits
Great tip on conduit.
Thank you. It's very informative, short, straight to the point.
Thanks! Glad you found it useful. Thanks for watching.
Best deck on RUclips hands down! Thanks April :)
Thanks for more good information April. Stay safe and keep the great videos coming. OLD DAWG DREAMING Fred.
As a 40+yr commercial/industrial electrician, I am impressed with the skill level of your installation. The only things I would add are: Install a bushing on the threads of you male adaptor and pull loose conductors in the conduit (if you didn't do this already) NM cable is not rated to be pulled into conduit with rated conductors. As far as a DYI- excellent video!
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
You can use outdoor rated MC cable as an alternative to UF if you want to run the wire under joysts. Conduit with THHN/THWN-2 is another alternative.
The deck series is amazing April…. Nicely done ❤
Thank you so much!
Great video you are certainly well versed on the subject. I would tend to stick with a conduit unless I was convinced the cable run couldn’t be physically damaged or eaten by critters. I live on the Texas coast and salt fog corrosion is a nightmare especially for GFI circuits. So the value of this video to me was seeing what material options may work best.
I think the greater hazard would be someone thinking it's OK to HANG SOMETHING off the exposed cable, which is why code gets finicky in locations like outdoors (esp. between structures) or laundry rooms.
Used this process to wire our deck. I have had a couple issues in the last 25 yrs with that decision..both self inflicted. 1. I have everything wired through a gfi , so I had to have a line / load tutorial with an electrician friend.
2. I had a never used plug hidden from view, so I forgot it was there. Over the years, it eventually got about a 1/2” of water in it. Well, water & power.. you know the rest. Eventually found the issue, removed the plug & we’re good again.
Do you have to have that inspected after. Did you need to pull a Permit.
Thanks for the info April! 😃👍🏻👊🏻
They make a self adjusting wire stripper that you can use to cut and strip romex. No need to know the wire Guage and is by far the best purchase I made in adding electric to my deck.
Hi, it might be interesting for your viewers how to make sure that power is off when performing work with electricity, since many people just turn off the breaker and don't test, or they use NCV-Testers or Multimeters instead of proper electrical testers and they don't know the process of testing and turning it off reliably (locking it, etc.). This is such an important task and I would love to see you make a video about it to raise awareness... Thank you!
A multimeter is a proper electrical tester...
Great video with your useful step by step instructions and advice. Thanks for sharing this one April! Hope you’re having a great weekend!
Hi April... love watching your videos. They're always so informative for the do it yourselfers. Keep them rolling and hope all is well on your end!❤
Thanks so much!
Nice job. The duplex receptacle should be weather rated. Also, not all outdoor receptacles need an in-use cover. NEC 406.9 states that if not in a wet location the old style gasketed flip covers are fine. So, if it's under a roof far enough, those ugly in-use covers are not required.
Cool, Cheer April. Great video as usual.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I need to get 220 out to my deck for a Sauna installation. Do they make UF for 220V?
Bonjour . Depuis le temps que je regarde vos sublimes post , une chose est sur , vous êtes géniale est vous avez pris aucunes rides , Bravo chère April . Amitiés venant de la France ( Europe )
I have some lever lock connectors for using with 12vdc, but I don't think they are 110 vac approaved! So, use the right equipment, when running house power!
Those types from ideal and wago are approved for residential use
Good Job! I am guessing that one reason conduit is used, is to add an extra layer of protection from SQUIRRELS! Squirrels and/or rodents love to chew wires, especially if the wire is coated with a soy-based covering. Newer Cars that have soy-based wire, are being destroyed by the varmints!
You should build a Bat House, since bats love to eat insects, and the Texas Hill Country has many bats. Bats are your silent friend!
Love this project.
Always informative! Thanks, April.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.
In use outdoor cover not required if under a roof, like a porch roof.
Great wiring video👍
Thanks!
I've hard romex in conduit is not water tight or good practice. But perhaps that's because I've been dealing with burying. Is it allowable if you're above ground?
Romex should never be used outdoors, even above ground in conduit.
It's not technically illegal to have romex in conduit, but it's generally frowned upon due to the potential for heat buildup. Usually you'll want to either run individual THHN wires, or strip the outer sheathing off the romex before running it through conduit.
@@mattdever6835 Good point about not running Romex in conduit, but the individual strands of Romex have no temperature rating stamped on them and would also be a no-no. THHN is the way to go in conduit. The local inspector would probably reject this DIY job, unfortunately.
Romex isn't allowed in wet/damp locations, and outdoor conduit is considered one of those. The issue is the insulation. Romex can be run in conduit indoors, it's just difficult to do. UF is of course allowed outside, since it's designed to be buried (hence the Underground Feeder designation). I'm unclear on whether it can be run the way April did it. Probably, but Romex must inaccessible in normal use, and protected from damage.
Yeah being sealed from the elements is really only about 10% of my concern when burying electrical: 90% of the time myself, my family, or some critter accidentally severing the underground wire is much more likely, so I opt for conduit for the extra protection it provides from that.
Please share your golf simulator set up! I want to compare it to mine. ⛳️
Question what type of cable do you use?
"It's just a garage." I think your viewers need to know that some of the walls in an attached garage are RATED WALLS, meaning you cannot just cut the drywall and not patch it back in. In your case, the wall was shared with the outside, not living space, so it may not be as big of a deal, unless there is a habitable space above your garage, in which case I think you need to patch it so that fire cannot travel up the stud bay.
Are those outlets on a GFCI breaker? Pretty sure receptacles outside needs to have GFCI protection
Question: if you came from the garage circuit to th wide to an outlet outside, the garage circuit is supposed to be gfci protected anyway. How did you add another gfci outlet to a gfci protected circuit?
should read: If you came off the garage circuit to add a gfci outlet...
Did you tap the breaker that feeds the garage circuit?
Nice project! Is there a combination junction box / outlet cover thats more sleek?
you can get a shallow box but all of the weatherproof when in use covers stick out more than most people like.
Yes, get a Hubbell pop out cover. That's what I used to replace my broken cover in back. You have to pull it out if you want to use the in use corner for the extension cord, but it's very sleek. Much less of a tripping hazard compared to what April installed here.
I was looking at that too. One is required to do all the work for electrical safety, but end up with a giant tripping hazard. I think a flush mount located at the point of use could be better in this instance.
@@zugzug2849 ... yes, a trip hazard is a real concern, but so is a broken cover, that most people will never replace. Besides, that same broken cover can cut the crap out of your leg as you walk by. Mounting on a different side of that post (out of traffic) is probably the best solution.
what's the machine that looks like an air compressor with a digital read out? I got distracted by that!🙂
I just want to say that I think your truly amazing, and the way you explain yourself and projects are top notch. Also I’m sure you’ve probably already heard this today but I just want to say that you are absolutely Gorgeous and I believe I have done fell in love with you Mam lol Keep up the amazing work. Thank you
Very nice always helpful! Your always fun to watch!!!
Which kind of conduit up the post?
I mean, for a home-gaming RUclipsr carpenter, this is fine. I've seen so many rat nests by proper electricians that I appreciate someone who can staple a run within 15 degrees of its home run.
Q: on outlets I have a GFCI I want to mount a 75” 4K tv on my wall eventually when I have time but can I daisy chain power cable from bottom outlets to a gfci outlet that is going behind my 75” tv when mounted
FYI see National Code NEC 300.5(D)(1) . Above 8 feet you will be ok but if the UF riser comes from grade level conduit is required to 8 foot point. And, if you have gone that far might as well hang conduit for the rest. Of course your local building inspector may have something to say about exposed UF on the order of " rip it out and do over I am not approving that". I find running conduit easier than than arguing and much safer. We have voracious squirrels and clumsy contractors here.
Rodents, Squirrels can chew the electrical wire if exposed...
If you don't run conduit, then use BX wire.
Your local area may allow romax outside, but the NEC code book doesn't allow it. The drilled hole may also be not allowed,
Hi April always enjoy your videos and i always learn something new. What kind of "in use" outlet cover did you use on the deck? Thanks again
Hello hope all is fine with you and family. Love your videos because you keep it simple for those of us that are slow on the uptake!
Thank you so much! Yes, people forget not all of my Viewers are on the same skill level. I know starting out, I needed someone to explain what I need and why, then show me how. I'm glad you find it useful. Thanks for your kind words and for watching.
Omg. You built that deck and know all this electrical jazz. #superwoman whoa. Glad I found your channel. Are you in the south Florida area?
USB on the receptacle. Cool.
I agree! USB is a must-have for outdoor convenience. Thanks for watching.
Another great video thanks
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching.
I use GFCI outlets for my outside boxes. They aren't all THAT expensive and they keep me from having to go inside to find the popped GFCI button. In fact, I very seldom use the LOAD terminals on a GFCI outlet...
Curious, April, what was your wire gauge on the UF wire run below the deck? I am doing the same thing, but my wiring is running under a roof overhanging on the deck I am building. Thxs
wire gage is relative to the breaker size, same as indoor wire. #12 for 20 amp circuits.
@@rupe53 Thank you. I was planning on #12 and already bought the 20 amp sockets, just not the wire yet.
@@bigguydiy2184 ... did you know you can use 15 amp sockets as long as there are several on the circuit? You really only need 20 amp units if it's industrial or a single dedicated receptacle on the wire run. All 15 amp units allow 20 amps on the pass-through to the next unit.
@@rupe53 a 15 amp duplex is considered 2 receptacles.
@@tchevrier ... true, but the reason it's code is because it's 15 amps on the pass through to the next receptacle
I admire that there is nothing that you won’t tackle, April, and enjoy all your videos. I also watched and enjoyed all the Assembly Required shows. I would like to have seen how you ran the Romex thru the existing conduit with the multiple 90 degree turns and the length. Did you use air pressure to feed a pull string? It had to be a pain.
Romex inside conduit? I heard somewhere this is a no-no. Not allowed by code. Maybe an electrician can verify or not.
not allowed in an industrial setting. ok for residential work.
yeah the real benefit of over sized conduit you only have to dig once , you only buy it once and , its not much more expensive unless your going ginormous.
yeah especially when your running thhn wires. its a few bucks more but if you run power tools you'll be quite happy
You also pull a pullstring along with your wires.
California does not allow UF cable to be run above ground. Shielded cable like UF and Romex are not intended to be run inside conduit. It can overheat. Please check your local building and electrical codes before doing any wiring.
nice job
Glad to see you healthy and doing well! Great content as always!
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoy my channel. Thanks for watching.
God! You sure are doing a great job dragging this series out.
I try to keep my videos sticking to one subject at a time and 8 mins or less. People get anxious and click away to check out other channels, etc so too long and people never see the end.
Nice video but technically that small piece of conduit from the receptacle should have a female adapter with romex connector screwed into it. That UF cable should be support ed at the end of the conduit.
Water tight glands. Hmm that is why I am watching videos. Mine is behind my box so it may not matter. Maybe silicone is all I need.
By reading below you can see there are many ways to do this and meet code! I would put the GFCI at the first receptacle on the deck so that if it tripped I would not have to walk all the way inside. I would also nail the romex to the side of the 2x4, easier to hammer and I think better protected from people bumping it going under it. 😂
Tip or suggestion, not criticism. But you can take the ears off the outlet so the cover plate sits flat against the wall when using an old work box.
A weep hole in a watertight box sounds like it could be an issue depending on the climate, Water vapor in high humidity environments would just collect water in the box and sit on your connections. Not a point out of experience, just thinking out loud. If someone has experience I'd like to hear about it.
You do not need tha male coupler , you must ream the pvc . Or if you are going to use the male coupler you need a plastic bushing on it if . The fitting itself is not necessarily considered to be “bushed”
Intresting, cool looking deck.
Although the plug for the electrical outlet should be put in flush with outside of the box. This doesnt allow water too pool in the threaded cavity
In areas that freeze, having the cavity filled with water and then freezing could lead to a crack in the box allowing water to enter the box. In theory, the GFCI would shut down the circut, but it could be a tough job to figure out why the GFCI keeps tripping.
You did a great job. Are you an electrician by trade?
Thanks for making outdoor wiring easy April! You always do excellent research. This will save me a lot of time during my next outdoor wiring job. I especially like the Lever Wire Connectors, and the Wire Strippers. Thanks Again and Enjoy a Great Day!!!
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Running additional wire in an existing conduit may exceed the maximum number of wires that can be in the conduit.
Would not the metal fittings on the plastic FS box need to be grounded as they are metal? A metal FS box would allow you to put your ground wire to the box thereby grounding the box and the fittings.
case for natural selection
nice installation, I noticed your garage's conduit is pvc, by code you're not supposed to use pvc indoors, the conduit is toxic in case of a fire can harm people with the fumes.
Jose, can you provide the NEC# regarding this? Thanks.
Does your local code not require mechanical protection of the cable at 4:58 or other parts? I would be worried if the underside of the deck is going to be used for storage of any kind, the cable could become damaged while moving stuff in and out.
In that case the conduit would not be for protection from water/UV but rather from mechanical damage.
Hi April, long time no post, huh!? Don't mistake me for not posting that often anymore, has nothing to do with your videos or the content! No, quite the opposite, I watch all your videos! I liked especially the one when you collaborated with Tim Allen and Richard Karn on "Assembly Required"! Keep up the great work! Oh, and I definitely like the "Good Bye" wave with your hand/arm at the end of every video!
Very pretty and handy lady.
Great video on some how to wiring. I like the idea of installing outlets with the USB ports as well, very handy
personally, I feel USB ports belong at a table or countertop height. Why put expensive electronics near the floor to charge? Even if the cord will reach, why bend over that far to plug stuff in? You wind up stepping on the cord or kicking things too close to the floor.
Glad it was helpful!
Not all areas allow wires to be stapled to underside of joist. Only THHN stranded wires are to be used in conduit. Drilling a drain hole in an outdoor outlet introduces moisture in the form of condensation from the heating and cooling of the outlet and wires thus shortening the life of the outlets.
The actual outlet on the front isn't airtight... Any condensation would exist regardless of a hole. I do think it's unnecessary, but I don't think it'll harm anything.
@@PSNDonutDude I am referring to the gaskets that keep out air thus moisture. A hole defeats this purpose.
And insects too ever heard of fire ants the love to get into electrical equipment 😮
Actually, water and electricity mix just fine with one another. It's just when you start diluting that mixture with other organic materials (namely ones that require a heartbeat and oxygen for optimal continued performance) that the problems begin.
The trouble begins when there are dissolved minerals in the water. There are always dissolved minerals in natural water sources. Please take your foolishenss somewher else.
@@kmoecub no.
@@kmoecubWhoosh
Romex in conduit is not NEC complient.
Meh, much prefer to use PVC jacketed MC for the task as it provides for a much more robust cabling solution and it cleaner looking. Not a fan of UF after all the repairs I ave had to do over the years.