Do I have to use Conduit to run UF rated wire??

Question

I'm installing a "Direct through wall" bathroom fan in my 2nd floor bathroom.. It is impossible to hook this fan up to any existing electric outlet/switch. The fan comes with its own on/off switch to manually operate.
To run the wire, I was planning on buying a roll of 250' 14/2 UFB wire. I can run it from my panel in the basement, through the outside wall and neatly tuck in underneath the vinel siding all the way up to the fan which is about 20ft above the ground on the 2nd floor of the house.
My buddy thinks that tucking it underneath the vinel siding isn't "Code" and suggests I should use PVC conduit.. I just don't want to have to see the ugly conduit running up the side of my house, when tucking the UF wire under the vinel siding would be easier and neater.. That's how I ran all my cable lines.???...

Answer 1

None of these people are electricians.UF wire is the correct wire for what you are trying to do.The chances of driving a nail or some thing else through this wire are negligible.Although I would try to avoid running the wire under the siding if possible and conduit would protect it better I don't see why it would be a code violation.If the wire was damaged it is easily access able to replace it.I have ran wire up the corner piece of the siding and then ran out a couple of feet to where I needed to go in the house.If you are going to have this inspected just call the inspector before hand and ask if he will pass the installation.

Answer 2

The first and Code problem is that the electric wires are not protected from nails. If you run Romex type wire in a sheet rock wall, it either has to go through the middle of the studs about 2" from the surface or it has to have metal plates put over the notches in the studs to keep people from putting nails through it.

I would suggest that you consider taking this new wire up to the attic along side the other conduit you have in place and running across the top to bathroom.

Another choice would be to use a less obnoxious "conduit" which is a surface mount that when painted looks much neater. I am not sure whether it is rated for outdoor use, I'm sure some is not, but with UF inside, it would be weather proof. Like this http://cableorganizer.com/cable-raceway/

Answer 3

Could you use the existing conduit to add another circuit in the area of your new fan? Run the circuit throught the attic? Romex, or UF can not be installed in conduit, but may be surface run in exposed areas, if protected from physical damage.

Answer 4

You need to run the wire either inside the wall or in conduit. UF wire is don't intended for this uses.

Answer 5

See Sections .10 & .12 in the corresponding NEC Articles for Uses Permitted & Uses Not Permitted for Electrical Raceways (Chapter 3); then check with your local Inspector. When buried, according to 2005 NEC Table 300.5, Rigid Non-metallic Conduit must be installed with a "cover" depth of 18" (measured from the top of the raceway to grade level); Rigid Metal Conduit must have 6" of cover (see Article 358.10 &.12 for uses permitted and not permitted for EMT, or "thin-wall" conduit). Any RNC exposed to the sun must be listed and labeled as "Sunlight Resistant", or "Approved for exposure to UV Rays"; when used as A MEANS OF PROTECTION for the enclosed conductors, it must be "Schedule 80". When metallic elbows are installed with RNC, they must be grounded when the highest part of the elbow is less than 18" below grade level. RNC must always have an equipment grounding conductor installed with and properly sized for the circuit conductors. *** What is “UF” rated conduit? Type UF Cable is approved for Direct Burial, I have never seen “UF Rated” conduit of any type.

Answer 6

You need conduit. Why are you using "direct burial" cable for this? Take a volt meter, test the cable wire, now test an outlet, see the difference? That's one reason!

Answer 7

In addition to your other answers, seriously consider contacting your area county engineer to find out the parameters for code.

Answer 8

Theres so much wrong with this I don't even know where to start. call an electrician.

Answer 9

Thank you! valuable information and this offers me better insight