Thread: Door Opener Box

I wrote this receptacle up as being inappropriate and needing to be replaced. Note the romex is secured to the ceiling but can't be to this type of receptacle. Did I overreact?

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No you did not. Homeowner repair for sure.

Isn't it supposed to be in conduit if it isn't installed behind the wall?

John,

NM cable can be run along the ceiling if done properly, however, it cannot be terminated like that even if it had been supported properly along the ceiling.

Romex cables are not to be exposed to physical damage or the elements. It may only be installed in walls or conduit. It is not manufactured for exposed applications.

Actually, it can be exposed.

From the NEC. (underlining is mine)
- 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).
- - - (A) To Follow Surface. Cable shall closely follow the surface of the building finish or of running boards.
- - - (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, or other approved means. Where passing through a floor, the cable shall be enclosed in rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit, electrical metallic tubing, Schedule 80 PVC conduit, or other approved means extending at least 150 mm (6 in.) above the floor.
- - - - Type NMC cable installed in shallow chases or grooves in masonry, concrete, or adobe, shall be protected in accordance with the requirements in 300.4(F) and covered with plaster, adobe, or similar finish.
- - - (C) In Unfinished Basements and Crawl Spaces. Where cable is run at angles with joists in unfinished basements and crawl spaces, it shall be permissible to secure cables not smaller than two 6 AWG or three 8 AWG conductors directly to the lower edges of the joists. Smaller cables shall be run either through bored holes in joists or on running boards. NM cable installed on the wall of an unfinished basement shall be permitted to be installed in a listed conduit or tubing or shall be protected in accordance with 300.4. Conduit or tubing shall be provided with a suitable insulating bushing or adapter at the point the cable enters the raceway. The NM cable sheath shall extend through the conduit or tubing and into the outlet or device box not less than 6 mm (¼ in.). The cable shall be secured within 300 mm (12 in.) of the point where the cable enters the conduit or tubing. Metal conduit, tubing, and metal outlet boxes shall be connected to an equipment grounding conductor.

Protection from physical damage is typically considered needed from 8 feet high and lower. Being as that cable was routed across the ceiling, it would have been above the presumed 'physical damage' height.