Basement Remodeling

[mikesears]

I am currently in the process of remodeling my basement and I have a number of electrical questions.


1. Can you see any reason why I wouldn't be allowed to use both plastic and metal electrical boxes in the same run?


2. I am planning on drywalling the ceiling. Is it necessary that I provide some sort of manual access to any junction boxes? If so, how much space is considered adequate?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

[Wgoodrich]

It is not against code to install plastic boxes and steel boxes on the same branch circuit.

The NEC requires any junction box to be accessible at all times. You must not bury any junction box inside any place that requires removal of any part of the building to get to those junction boxes.

Question why are you wanting to mix metal boxes and plastic boxes ? Are you installing surface mounted boxes on concrete walls then plastic boxes on stud wall ? If this is your plan then that would be normal wiring design and approved by the NEC. Be careful about installling Romex cable in a conduit down a concrete wall. If you are using EMT then you will be required a minimum conduit size of 3/4" whether one romex cable or two romex cables if 12 or 14/2wGrnd cables. If you are installing more than one 12 or 14/3wGrnd romex cables in a conduit then you will need larger than the 3/4" EMT. Also if you install EMT as a sleeve protection with Romex cable in it just to to the top of the concrete wall and emerging from the conduit then you will need to install EMT conduit connectors on both ends of that conduit the top end conduit connector is to protect the sharp edge of the EMT from cutting the Romex cable.

Don't forget in an unfinished basement you are required GFI protection for all receptacles in unfinished areas of basements. GFI protection is not required in finished living areas of basements that are for living areas.

Just a couple of added thoughts

Hope this helps

Wg

[mikesears]

It is not against code to install plastic boxes and steel boxes on the same branch circuit.

The NEC requires any junction box to be accessible at all times. You must not bury any junction box inside any place that requires removal of any part of the building to get to those junction boxes.



We are planning on putting up a drywall on the ceiling. As far as the junction boxes are concerned, is installing a a push-up panel below the juction box adequate for most codes? I plan to allow plenty of room to access the junction box.



Question why are you wanting to mix metal boxes and plastic boxes ? Are you installing surface mounted boxes on concrete walls then plastic boxes on stud wall ?

It is actually more for consistency than anything else. The basement was mostly finished when we purchased the house and we are adding 2 bedrooms to the basement. In the previous work, the walls facing the exterior used metal boxes with 1/2" conduit. All of the other walls in the house contained plastic boxes.



If this is your plan then that would be normal wiring design and approved by the NEC. Be careful about installling Romex cable in a conduit down a concrete wall. If you are using EMT then you will be required a minimum conduit size of 3/4" whether one romex cable or two romex cables if 12 or 14/2wGrnd cables. If you are installing more than one 12 or 14/3wGrnd romex cables in a conduit then you will need larger than the 3/4" EMT. Also if you install EMT as a sleeve protection with Romex cable in it just to to the top of the concrete wall and emerging from the conduit then you will need to install EMT conduit connectors on both ends of that conduit the top end conduit connector is to protect the sharp edge of the EMT from cutting the Romex cable.

Thanks for the advice. We will be using NM/B 12/2 and 12/3 wire with EMT conduit.

[Wgoodrich]

I am guessing that your oustide walls are not studded out but concrete. Now would be the time as you are already drywalling these added rooms to possibly stud out those outside walls and change the boxes from conduit and steel to plastic boxes. Then you would have all finished walls.

I question your adding bedrooms in the basement that you have thought of emergency egress and ingress requirements for an escape. Do you have windows where these bedrooms are located? Are the 10 cubic feet in size so that a person can crawl out of these bedroom windows in case of a fire and people in those bedrooms being trapped? Also don't forget smoke detectors in each bedroom and in each vicinity of the bedrooms and at least one smoke detector on each floor whether living areas or not.

Yes a push up access panel to get to the junction boxes are considered an access hole and not a permentant part of the structure.

Good luck

Wg

[mikesears]

I am guessing that your oustide walls are not studded out but concrete. Now would be the time as you are already drywalling these added rooms to possibly stud out those outside walls and change the boxes from conduit and steel to plastic boxes. Then you would have all finished walls.


All walls are (or will be studded with 2x4's). I'm pretty sure that code in our area calls for conduit if the walls face the outside even if they are studded. It's not a problem because I already have the conduit and metal boxes.


I question your adding bedrooms in the basement that you have thought of emergency egress and ingress requirements for an escape. Do you have windows where these bedrooms are located? Are the 10 cubic feet in size so that a person can crawl out of these bedroom windows in case of a fire and people in those bedrooms being trapped? Also don't forget smoke detectors in each bedroom and in each vicinity of the bedrooms and at least one smoke detector on each floor whether living areas or not.


I appreciate your concern and I assure you that everything is in order to build bedrooms in our basement. We have both egress windows installed (up to code specs) and window wells that exceed the expectations.

We are direct wiring smoke detectors (with battery backup) into the system in each bedroom. I have a question about if the current smoke detector in the basement is adequate. It is direct wired with batter backup and exists in our family room. There is a short storage area (below the steps) and then the doors to both bedrooms face one another. The existing smoke detector is about 15-20 feet from the bedroom doors. Is this adequate for "vincinity of each bedroom"? I am assuming it will be sufficient, but we know what happens when we assume . . . :)



Yes a push up access panel to get to the junction boxes are considered an access hole and not a permentant part of the structure.



Thanks! I thought it would suffice but wanted to ask anyway. I greatly appreciate this forum in the limited time I have used it.

[Wgoodrich]

There are local rule areas that require homes to be wired in conduit or flex or metal clad. You may be right. Might be worth a call to confirm with your local AHJ to confirm if you are in that type area or any other local rules beyond the NEC rules. Best to ask first than hate yourself later.

If you were in my jurisdiction I would accept what you discribed as meeting the vicinity of the bedrooms. Again best to ask your AHJ for his or her ruling just to cover your back side.

Good Luck and let us know your success story.

Wg