1.5 inch flexible aluminum conduit
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LD1
Epic Contributor
AS others have said, thats too big for really anything in the shop.
I wired my whole shop with 3/4" EMT for the welders and air compressor plugs, and anywhere I was pulling several circuits. And 1/2" for 1-2 circuits.
Cant even hook 1-1/2" to a workbox.
And at $1.40 for the flex.....it will cost you more and look like crap. 1/2" EMT is like $0.70/ft and 3/4" is a little over a buck a foot.
I wired my whole shop with 3/4" EMT for the welders and air compressor plugs, and anywhere I was pulling several circuits. And 1/2" for 1-2 circuits.
Cant even hook 1-1/2" to a workbox.
And at $1.40 for the flex.....it will cost you more and look like crap. 1/2" EMT is like $0.70/ft and 3/4" is a little over a buck a foot.
LD1
Epic Contributor
If its labeled NM-B then yes....that is the typical "romex". Romex is a brand but has gotten the generic term for indoor wiring....similar to crescent wrench/adjustable wrench, or channel locks / slip-joint pliers, or kleenex/tissue.
Similar to NM-B/romex is is UF wire. Which looks like "romex" but usually grey. Its rated for outdoors. UF-B can also be used indoors, and is usually cheaper than NM-B, but not as easy to work with and strip to attach outlets and switches
rScotty
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I just redid my barn wiring to prevent rodent damage. I started with aluminum flex, but the fittings were expensive and the job didn't look good. Difficult to pull wires through. Ended up doing most of the job using a lot of 3/4" EMT and the rest of the 1/2" that I had laying around from another project.
If I was doing the job again - and on all future wiring jobs - I will standardize on 3/4" EMT tubing and wire with 12-2 NM-B with ground. That combo will do anything, is large enough for multiple circuits, and is small enough to be workable & reasonably priced. And is available everywhere. Plus it looks good.
rScotty
That's contridictory to the info in the first post?? Is it this Southwire 250 ft. 12-Gauge/2-Gauge Solid CU MC (Metal Clad) Armorlite Cable 68580055 - The Home Depot
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
12-2 with ground is just a description of wires you need. It could be any type of covering or protection. MC cable is way different than NM.
AND ROMEX IS SIMPLY A TERM, not a legal wire description. If you ask for romex, you get NMB.
AND ROMEX IS SIMPLY A TERM, not a legal wire description. If you ask for romex, you get NMB.
grsthegreat
Super Star Member
My entire shop is run in EMT, and i wired my house in steel flex. Comes from years as commercial electrician, and the fact that i hade a 28’ trailer full of the stuff.
GSVette
Gold Member
My shop was done in 3/4 EMT and 12/2 for most circuits (less W/D, water heater, mini split, welder and RV).
I’ve added some additional circuits using the combination of 3/4 EMT and flexible armored wire- wish my bends looked anywhere near as good as the pro who did my original installs.
I’ve added some additional circuits using the combination of 3/4 EMT and flexible armored wire- wish my bends looked anywhere near as good as the pro who did my original installs.
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EMT is definitely the way to go in a barn, esp. if it's exposed and visible. But you'd do well to not bother with pulling NM-B thru EMT, rather just pull individual conductors (eg. THHN). Romex (i.e. NM-B) is a ***** to pull thru conduit, and there's absolutely no need for it.