Stripping Romex into Conduit- Bringing in the Sheaths

--ABR Electric in McKinney TX
214-690-1941
abrelectric.com
Can You Strip Romex & Run It in a Conduit?
The answer is generally yes. ... Romex® is one of the few wires that we actually recommend stripping if you have the time and you're looking to upgrade your material. There's a couple of really good things that could come out of stripping Romex® as about 2/3 of the weight is in copper. If you do choose to strip Romex®, we
This copper wire is what gets exposed when you strip the Romex®, so if you're looking to run it in a conduit, this is the wire that you'll be attaching to the electrical box. Keep in mind that if you are running Romex® in a conduit, you will need to use a larger conduit than what is typically used as the Romex® itselfif the wire gets damaged, thus leading to other problems. ...
The PVC plastic sheathing surrounding the insulated conductors and copper ground wire is non-conductive and heat resistant. This type of wire is used in both above ground and below ground installations. The main benefit to using PVC conduit is that it is less expensive than metal conduit. ...If you have the time, we recommend that you strip the Romex® as about 2/3 of the weight is in copper. This will give you a more durable and long
lasting wire. If you do choose to strip Romex®, we recommend that you use a sharp knife or utility blade to avoid damaging the wire. ... Be sure to also check with your local building codes to see if there are any special requirements for running Romex® in a conduit.If you're looking to upgrade the material, stripping Romex
As your Mckinney TX electrician, you can always count on us to complete your project to the highest standards. We take safety seriously, and you can rest assured knowing that the job will be done right the first time.
Residential electrical systems are incredibly complex, and trying to work on them on your own could be deadly. No matter how large or small the job may be, you can depend on the expert electricians right here at ABR Electric
ABR is unique from other companies and what sets us apart from the rest is the way we show the highest level of integrity even when no one is looking. That's the kind of company you get when you hire ABR Electric
ABR Electric
University Drive Mckinney TX

[@carloscaro2699]

I'm a complete novice on youtube university and i understood everything you said. TYVM

[@abrelectric]

For reals?! Thank you. That's a great encouragement

[@MrRican82]

Thanks brother!!! I always thought you couldn't never put it threw conduit no mater what because of over heating, but thanks for the clarification !!

[@theinquisitor3930]

Couldn't. Never.............🤔

[@recbo]

Now I know why conduit is only allowed 51% full--heat! Wonderful detail about unexpected consequences of wishing and hoping and leaping.

[@noegutierrez6463]

gracias por compartir

[@electricalron]

Great information at hand here. Unfortunately, only other electricians are interested. I mean that in a sincere way too. By the way, I also love my G-SHOCK watch.

[@joshuajensen685]

Shenanigans! I am no electrician and I'm VERY interested in this exact topic. I'm very grateful for the instruction and information. Some of us non-electricians love this stuff, too.

[@darrylsouthern1346]

I also am interested and search for this topic. No electrician here. Just a novice learning DIY. That’s how I roll.

[@Uejji]

I'm learning to be safe.

[@notsure7874]

Put a jbox at the end of the conduit, and connect to actual THHN in the pipe.

[@garbo8962]

In my area only allowed to run NMB cable less then 10' in conduit. Would install a single 14/2 or 12/2 cable down basement wall to feed a receptacle or switch on concrete or cinder block walls. Inspector told us that the white, black, red insulation does not have the wire guage printed on it like typical building wire such as THWN.

[@abrelectric]

He's right. If you can't show it, they don't have to pass it.

[@theige01]

Related to your 6/3 nm 60 degree comment is rated at 55amp, could not be used for 60 amp circuit. I’ve researched this a bit and found according to NEC 240.4(B), I can round up to the next higher standard breaker for a NM cable whose ampacity falls between 2 standard OCPDs. For example, if I use 6/2 NMB wire which is rated at 55amps, I can use the next higher standard 60Amp OCPD if: 1) the calculated load will not be higher (48amp ev charger) than the ampacity of the cable (55 amps) 2) the circuit is hard wired (no branch circuits, i.e. outlets for portable devices).

[@handymandad5613]

I always have taken the sheathing off when I have to run romex through conduit, like on a basement wall.

[@rjoejohns9522]

I just always assumed enclosing romex in conduit(whether "official wet or dry" location), if you just used the pvc conduit for protection and actually sealed it on both in/out locations, it would create heat=sweat=damp/wet/condensation?? When romex is exposed in wood walls, insulation etc, you have all that to help suck up "moistures/etc". Now if walls were concrete/block, I'd also see a problem fastening romex in conduit because the "dampness" of block and or concrete. Heck, even in my uninsulated shed/garage that is wood framed and wood exterior walls built on a concrete pad, the mechanics tools I have in my small(yet extremely heavy!!) 3 drawer craftsman tool box, had started to pick up surface rust when they had only been in garage for around 4 months! I've had most all them tools for well over 20++ years(I'm only 43), and never "rust"!! But my old house that I built my own shed at, was "all" wood(no concrete pad). I should've known better than to have metal box directly stored on concrete floor, but lesson learned. Not much surface rust at all, but I am one of very few who takes extra special care of ALL my tools(except the abuse of overworking them), and I use all my tools ALOT, whether it be working on houses or working on cars. Just a simple thing as setting that box on a scrap piece of plywood had stopped the leaching moisture right in it's tracks!! I even keep a small "moving" blanket lining the bottom of aluminum truck tool box on truck, and one covering all tools at the top, for moisture AND to keep the "long term" heat from slowly baking all my saws' cords as the years go by.

[@MrKen59]

I have a roll of Allen 8/3 600v NM-B but does not have the temperature rating on the jacket. How do you then determine the capability? I had to run 8/3 from attic to basement and used 3/4 sch 40 through the vertical wall as a protection.

[@abrelectric]

Because it doesn't have a temperature rating, you have to use the 60 degree column in table 310.16 for ampacity (40 amps). Good luck!

[@jaydee3046]

I want to use the weatherproof gray conduit to run on the inside of a cabinet to protect some 14 gauge wire about 3 feet. If I drill some holes in it for ventilation, does the conduit problem of heat go away?

[@DriveCarToBar]

No. If you're running in conduit, you need to respect fill diameter requirements in the NEC. For that distance of 14/3 romex, you'd need 1" PVC conduit. For 14/2 romex, you could get away with 3/4" conduit.

[@stevenfrederickson5002]

What about 334.12(c) (2023 NEC) for unfinished basements, which says that the sheath of the NM "shall extend through the conduit..."

[@abrelectric]

I'm not familiar yet with that section in the 2023. What is your take on it?

[@Youcanthandleme319]

The wire inside romex isn’t rated to be inside conduit on its own.

[@travisduke98]

Hey I've had this come up before and inspectors will not let us do that in WASHINGTON for out door locations because they say the wire inside of romex is not rated to be in a wet location, all wire in conduit in wet locations must be rated for that purpose so no stripping romex and using it outdoors in conduit!

[@abrelectric]

Absolutely.

[@joshuajensen685]

Yes he said that a few times in the video. Is it OK in WA to run stripped romex wire into an outdoor j-box? Then continue with the proper conductors to an outside appliance (heat pump)?

[@coachanthonyburgos3971]

So do I need to remove the yellow/gray protective jacket to run 6/3 wire in liquid tight conduit for a portable generator I’m using as a back-up generator for my house?

[@abrelectric]

With UF no. If by "yellow " you mean NM cable or romex, use something outdoor rated

[@TMH-TooManyHobbies]

My dad was going to run romex through emt conduit until i showed him your previous video. He wants to strip the outer jacket like in this, but my question is: will he have to change the conduit material to pvc? To me it seems like a bad idea for bare ground wire and emt conduit in contact.

[@abrelectric]

Troy, the romex can run through EMT. The EMT needs to be correctly bonded and grounded. Also, the EMT is not rated to be in contact with the earth or buried.

[@TMH-TooManyHobbies]

@@abrelectric he was going to shove 10/2 through 1/2 inch emt. Ill have him pick up some spools of thhn for the project and save the romex for a rainy day.

[@abrelectric]

I know how Dads are 😀

[@krakenwoodfloorservicemcma5975]

You can run NM-B, 3 #10 in 1/2” EMT. But putting a junction box and switching to THHN is absolutely better. T stands for thermoplastic and is much better.

[@Clikclikboom]

I’ve run 2-2-2-4 aluminum in the grey sheathing 20 inches underground in 1 1/4” schedule 40. And using a 70A breaker. It’s feeding a sub panel in my garage. Is this ok ?

[@pld8993]

SE cable is not allowed underground.

[@coastcoast2227]

If we use thhn thwn-2 in a conduit do we use the stamp rating of 90°c or 60°c because it's inside the conduit.

[@abrelectric]

75 degree column, because your breaker is the beginning of that circuit, and not likely rated for over 75 C. The circuit unit rating is driven by the lowest rating: breaker, conductors, load

[@nukiepoo]

@@abrelectricyes, the 90-degree column is only good for derating purposes

[@sigcrazy7]

NEC 240.4(D) restricts all small circuits (10AWG to 18AWG) to the 60° OCPD device, unless allowed in 240.4 (E thru G). Essentially, all of your branch circuits will be 60°, regardless of the wire’s rating. Just always use a 15a for 14g and 20a for 12g, unless you’re dealing with one of the exemptions. You will only consider the 75° or 90° columns for special installations, like motor loads or for derating, as already mentioned. It’s just not good practice to strip NM cable. Most inspectors wouldn’t allow it. Put a box on it and transition, or run EMT all the way. There’s satisfaction in doing it right.

[@ronaldkovacs7080]

So then an inspector will accept insulation with no markings as long as it is derated to 60 degrees Celsius? (For temperature only)

[@abrelectric]

If it's the unmarked conductors in Romex, it will automatically be rated in the 60 degree column

[@vince6829]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. So, just to clarify, running the individual romex wires without the sheathing in conduit is a code violation because they are not labeled as to what kind of insulation they have, correct?

[@johnpauljonesgrouptv]

I would like to understand this well. It seems that stripping the wire out when transitioning into conduit... Such as a an unfinished basement wall coming down from the floor joist stripping off a large portion of the sheathing makes sense for an outlet box. Is this a code violation?

[@TrendyStone]

Not a code violation necessarily. The point is stripped romex is not the same as THHN so you have to assume 60C and use the appropriate table.

[@jrock865]

@@TrendyStone it is it has no labels and you can't use it on any chart. Can't strip the sheath. You can only use romex with the sheath that's what it's designed for.

[@TrendyStone]

@@jrock865 I’m my jurisdiction you CAN use stripped romex as long as you assume 60C and it’s in conduit.

[@jrock865]

@@TrendyStone There is no marking you can't use it lol it's literally an unidentified wire once you strip it that's why they have it only listed as a cable. You can't use the 60c or any column once it's stripped out only when it's in sheathing that's why the nec has restrictions on nm cable.

[@Tom-og7fi]

It is definitely true that you have to use the 60 degree column in residential and very important to do so. With that said one thing to keep in mind is type NM-B romex is PVC insulation with a nylon jacket which is rated for 90 degrees C. So if you do it correctly you should be perfectly fine running romex through conduit. If you can set a J-box I would recommend it but you can't always do that in certain situations.

[@abrelectric]

I agree with you on temperature ratings. A lot folks are frustrated that they're not supposed to run it in damp or wet locations.

[@Tom-og7fi]

@@abrelectric yes this is a true statement. For all outside work XHHW is the best wire there is but do it yourself types don't like spending the money, but in the long run you get what you pay for.

[@jimsummers487]

The 90degree column is only good for wire on the spool…… Termination limitations derate that 90 degree wire for nuts,lugs,stabs and pressure connecting devices that are where the fires start…… I think ac/dc said it best Loose wires start fires

[@peyton6488]

Just to clarify, am I safe to run 8/2 100ft of Romex from my basement panel to the attic then outside in pvc conduit to an AC disconnect? As long as I strip the romex in the outdoor conduit and in compliance with the amps indicated in the 60° section of that table?

[@abrelectric]

Yes sir, and your conduit is sized for the 2-#8s and ground.

[@peyton6488]

@@abrelectric Thank you so much, this has had me stumped for days trying to figure out the best way to get this done. So many conflicting opinions out there.

[@travisduke98]

No it's not rated to be ran in wet locations because it's not thhn ect...

[@travisduke98]

​@@abrelectric wow your completely wrong!!! I've talk to inspectors about this, that is a wet location and the insulation is not rated for that! Where do you see a rating on those conductors?

[@abrelectric]

@@travisduke98 you are correct: the individual conductors inside of the sheath have no markings to identify them as THW or some other damp/wet location rating

[@kylekelley213]

So putting a 14-2 or a 12/2 and 1/2" liquid tight or PVC conduit. Can you leave the copper bare

[@abrelectric]

You can strip off the outer sheath to reduce the cable diameter and make it easier to pull. It will still have the same restrictions.

[@kylekelley213]

@@abrelectric would you have to pull in coated ground? Or can you leave a ground in the conduit

[@abrelectric]

@kylekelley213 the ground wire can be bare. Remember, no damp/wet locations.

[@kylekelley213]

@@abrelectric awesome, thanks! No I was just adding on to the circuit on the side of the house with either some scheduled 40 electrical conduit and or liquid tight. Most of my runs are 10 ft or less

[@markchidester6239]

Google says it's THHN

[@IOKIYAR]

I left immediately

[@jamesrockford6700]

I don't care what NEC says.... leave the romex intact when covering it my conduit. You run a greater risk of stripping romex than leaving it intact

[@abrelectric]

I'm with you. I don't believe the NEC requires removing the sheathing. It requires that the romex isn't installed in a damp or wet location, and that the conduit fill is correct.

[@travisduke98]

Your not allowed to run romex through conduit period due to heat and if you think it will get scratched that's laughable because wire gets pulled through with out getting scratched so maybe you should not be doing electrical work and risking people's lives with you bad practices!

[@stevenfrederickson5002]

@@travisduke98 What about 334.12(c) for unfinished basements, which says that the sheath of the NM "shall extend through the conduit..."

[@stevenfrederickson5002]

@@travisduke98 Sorry Travis, but you're dead wrong. Check your facts before you talk trash to someone

[@TrendyStone]

@@travisduke98The only thing worse than being wrong…is being arrogant and insulting while being wrong.