ECN Forum Forums Photo Discussion Forums Photos for General Discussion Wire in Air Return Duct

Efficient utilization of space?

Nice figured timber. Oak?

Alan

Would guesss so, especially the first pic really looks like oak. Badly butchered around the hole though!

I THING THIS WAS A STANDARD PRACTICE FOR HVAC BACK IN THE DAY. BUT CHOOSING A BAY WHERE KNOB+TOBE WIRING IS LOCATED IS JUST PLAIN STUPID....

Now why on earth would someone NOT USE an electrician here is beyond me. I hate when those outlets are on the molding like that cus' I know some BS wiring like this can't be too far away. I would guess the wiring was there before the duct was. Really no excuse for this kind of work.

Brutal, just brutal.

[This message has been edited by ShockMe77 (edited 09-14-2005).]

Let's get out our codebooks and see what the NEC has to say....anyone?

Wiring K&T inside a plenum isn't in the Not permited section? (394.12) Its not hip in my mind, but may be allowed?

I figure the wiring came first, but who knows, it was 40-80 years ago.

As for base board mounted recepticals, I do it all the time (matching existing and new.), many prefer it.

Speaking of the baseboard recept, My father in law has a house that was built sometime in the late 1800's (I found an "afterthought" fusible switch that was tied into somekind of K&T "loop" in the attic that was dated 1905) and the walls aren't thick (deep) enough to fit a standard depth cut in box inside, unless you place it in the baseboard were it adds some extra depth....

-Randy

300.22 discusses wiring methods permitted in ducts. K & T isn't one of the permitted methods.
That aside, this duct was certainly made after the wire was in place, and well after the building was first put up. The resulting violation is probably due to ignorance on the part of the installer.

The short version: wiring inside ducts has to be in a metal conduit of some sort, or be miner-insulated cable.

I have often seen wires pass through ducts- form side to side- but this is the first time I've seen the wires running lengthwise within the duct.

I am told, by my friends in the HVAC community, that such "made" ducts have prooven to be rather poor ducts, and that the practice of making a duct by closing off a joist bay is abvoided by better contractors. It may (I don't really know) also violate some of the newer energy codes.