Romex in crawl space

ENG

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3:03p, 3/26/25

AG

About a year ago I had an electrician route wiring under my house (crawl space) then underground (in conduit) to a sub panel in a new garage build. I am pretty sure it was 2/3 copper Romex. No problems at all but i was under the house over the weekend and noticed the Romex was laying on the ground in the crawl space before it entered the underground conduit. Is this per code? Is this a bad idea? My pier and beam crawl space is vented but is damp most of the time.

is this something to be worried about?

BenTheGoodAg

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In reply to ENG • 4:02p, 3/26/25

AG

You can install Romex (NM-B) in a crawl space on the joists (requirements vary by size), but not in on the dirt. Also, NM-B is not allowed in the underground conduit.

Could it be a different type of cable, like UF-B? It'll be stamped on the jacket. Sometimes they can look similar to Romex. With UF-B, I think it should still be physically secured to the joists or direct buried, but there's less concern in this case. UF-B is rated for direct burial.

Could be wrong, but I don't think there's a residential cable that's allowed to be loosely installed like this.

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southernskies

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5:15a, 4/2/25

NM-B is not rated for wet or prolonged exposure to damp locations. Not allowed in underground conduit as previously mentioned either. UF-B (underground feeder) is what you would want, or individual THWN conductors (not typical).

Anytime conduit is buried it is considered a wet location.

NEC Article 334.12(B)(4) - Uses Not Permitted for Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable (NM-B)