Pole building electrical question

[smfcpacfp]

If you look at the picture below, you see the inside of my pole building. Looking at the walls (inside to outside), first you have 6 by 6 posts, then you have 2 by 6's nailed horizontally to the posts, finally you have the metal sheeting screwed to the 2 by 6's. There is a 1 3/4 inch gap between the metal siding and the 6 by 6 posts (i.e., the width of the 2 by 6's).

Here is my electrical question. Can your electrical wire runs, run in the gap between the metal sheeting and the 6 by 6's (i.e., resting on top of the 2 by 6's held in place by wire staples)?

 

[Duffster]

Yes, but I would run them on the bottom of the 2x6.

 

[whistlepig]

A very nice looking barn. For me, I don't like my wiring touching or close to the sheet metal. Probably nothing wrong with that but that's just me. I ran my wiring either up the sides of the poles, on the bottom of the vertical stringers, and along the bottom of the trusses. I didn't want wires running along the vertical stringers unless they were on the top or bottom. I like to prop heavy stuff like PHD, augers, poles, and other stuff against my walls. I wanted the wires out of the way on the walls so I didn't bump and nick them.

 

[Steve C]

If you look at the picture below, you see the inside of my pole building. Looking at the walls (inside to outside), first you have 6 by 6 posts, then you have 2 by 6's nailed horizontally to the posts, finally you have the metal sheeting screwed to the 2 by 6's. There is a 1 3/4 inch gap between the metal siding and the 6 by 6 posts (i.e., the width of the 2 by 6's).

Here is my electrical question. Can your electrical wire runs, run in the gap between the metal sheeting and the 6 by 6's (i.e., resting on top of the 2 by 6's held in place by wire staples)?

How do you stop the electricty from freezing up in the wires up there? Do you have to insulate them?
Perhaps some steam tracing like we use in the plant to keep the pipes from freezing??

 

[ol'George]

You have to use brown bottle insulators.
the kind with little metal conductive caps.
the brand isn't important just ask your lumber/electrical supplier and he will direct you to the proper isle/area
they keep the wires warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
just use sparingly as excessive use will cause frequent "leaking" of er current

 

[scotty088]

They say "great minds think alike" I like your thinking OL George....
Scotty

 

[Pops15]

Are you talking about romex? Make sure romex will meet code. If you ever sell your property you'll want it to pass the home inspection. Like others have said its a good idea to run them on the bottom of the (horizontal) 2X6's, and sides of the trusses. Theres less chance the wire will get damaged that way.

Conduit would be much better and safer since the walls aren't finished.

Resist the urge to use 14 gauge wire (its not legal for receptacles anyway) and those cheap contractor packs of 15 amp receptacles and switches they sell at the box stores.

 

[whistlepig]

I would go 12 gauge romex. Romex made the Ohio code. Conduit is a whole lot of work. As as is metal sheathed wire. I would rather carefully tuck my wires than deal with conduit or metal sheathed wire.

 

[Pops15]

I would go 12 gauge romex. Romex made the Ohio code. Conduit is a whole lot of work. As as is metal sheathed wire. I would rather carefully tuck my wires than deal with conduit or metal sheathed wire.

Romex is legal in houses, and in unfinished garages up to two bays here. Apartments, commercial and larger garages have to be in conduit. Used to be one local town required BX (metal sheathed cable) and the next two towns wouldn't let you use it. Most of the area towns are on the same page now. Best bet is for the OP to check his local codes.

Conduit really isn't that hard once you've done a little of it.

 

[EddieWalker]

I don't know your code there, but if the walls are going to be left open, I would run the wire through conduit. 3/4 grey plastic in ten foot lengths is just a buck a stick, so there's no good reason not to use it. There are allot of good reasons to use conduit. If you evern cut the plastic sleeve of the romex, you risk also cutting the insulation around the wire. For me, it's very cheap saftey that I wouldn't even consider doing any other way. If you are going to insulate and cover the walls with something, then yes, you should be fine to run the romex along the purlins.

Eddie