Electrical Conduit – Can a Conduit Be Run Through Space Above a Wall for Easier Future Fishing?

conduitelectrical

Ok, I'll try to explain as best as I can.

Basically I have a space above my electrical box that leads into the unfinished section of the basement, with a bunch of electrical wire running through.

As it happens I periodically want to run a new cable through this space, and it's a pain in the butt every time to get the glow rod through.

Question: Can I put some flexible conduit up there to provide an easy raceway for future Romex runs? It wouldn't terminate in a box, it would just be there to be an easy pathway for rods or tape in the future and fully insulated Romex would go through it.

Above the electrical box, one side of glow rod
Where the glow rod comes out on the other side

Best Answer

Yes, this is a good idea, but a few details.

  • No more than four cables per conduit, unless you're willing to upsize ALL the cables to the next larger size. That is 310.15(B)(3)(a).

  • The conduit needs to be fairly large, because the cables are oval. Each oval cable is treated like a single wire of the wide dimension (because they twist). They can't fill the conduit more than 30% (for two) or 40% (for three or more). 1-1/4" conduit is probably a safe choice, though 1-1/2" will be easier to pull. (pulling stiff Romex is a bugbear). *This is not a Code requirement per se, but it'll surely be a practical limit given NM-B tends to have kinks, and kinks snag like crazy in conduit.

  • Flex is a bad idea. I know it seems easy to install, but the flex will fight you every inch of the way. The energy you are using to push or pull the cable will instead bend the conduit sideways. Believe me, this is very frustrating, especially when pushing, and pushing is (otherwise) easier since you only have to watch one end. With a non-flexible conduit secured at both ends, that's an non-issue.

  • Assemble the conduit first, then fish the wires through it.