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01-22-2019, 08:15 AM
(This post was last modified: 01-22-2019, 08:17 AM by Snipe Hunter.)
It's only rated for "temporary" wet locations such as a building under construction. If it has a non metallic (pvc) jacket, it can be used but the connectors, junction boxes etc all have to be rated for wet locations. A very expensive install. You'll have to buy this through an electrical supplier.
Use PVC conduit and boxes and Romex wire. It will look better too.
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Location: RTP, NC
I would run THWN in PVC. separate wires so easier to pull, and it's rated for wet locations. they make stranded TWHN and solid core. stranded is easier to pull, solid core is much easier to get under screws on fixture terminals.
if you don't feel like pulling your own through conduit, the BORGs here sell THWN that is in flexible conduit already, but it is expensive. It does make the job go faster though.
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01-22-2019, 09:36 AM
(This post was last modified: 01-22-2019, 09:38 AM by Phil Thien.)
This discussion might help:
http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=128348
In a nutshell, plastic conduit + UF (similar to Romex but intended to be used in wet locations) should be fine.
When it comes to mounting your ceiling fans, though, what will support the weight? Do they make plastic boxes that can tolerate a ceiling fan load?
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NM can certainly be run in conduit. In fact, it's required where subject to physical damage (potentially). Realistically, the only reason why you wouldn't want to do it is for reasons of pulling (it's hard with conduit) and for heat dissipation (trying to pull too much wire). In reality, it would be very difficult to encounter heat issues. I certainly never have, though you will see some ridiculously long online arguments about NM in conduit.
I did some wiring on my deck a few years ago. Half was low voltage (for the lights attached to the fascia boards) and half was line voltage (for outlets, lights, and a fan). I used outdoor metal boxes both for the wiring through the ledger board (sealed with the appropriate gaskets) and then used PVC conduit for the rest of the wiring. All boxes are outdoor metal, all conduit is PVC. I used UF cable for this just because it's outside even though it probably isn't required.
I built my own box for the ceiling fan. It's PT lumber on the outside, with the top being vinyl (essentially shower wall material). The fasteners are caulked and the inside of the box is sealed with flex sealant so the box should be waterproof. The connection to the box is made with a galvanized nipple through the side and conduit inside (a short length) to a metal box, which is screwed to a length of PT 2x4, and then the box itself is screwed to the deck joists. This has been working well since I did it using common sense engineering and logic. I don't know what parts would not pass inspection (well, I know of one - the junction box sitting on the ground under the deck - but I don't feel like removing the deck boards to fix it since everything's dry), but it works and is safe.