Hey everyone,
Today I’m diving into a project transition from the main panel into the house and attic. If you recall, I initially set up two-inch conduits going up, which is crucial for our current setup. The code allows a 24-inch nipple run without needing to derate the wires, which is convenient. However, I hit a snag because the two-inch pieces I had were 18 inches long, but I forgot to include the LB fitting. That addition extended the length to 27 inches, which is beyond the code’s limit. Plus, the center piece was just too long altogether.
To troubleshoot, I reached out to a few subscribers for their insights and discussed the issue with my electrician. He got in touch with the local inspector to see what would be acceptable. Thankfully, we’ve devised a plan that isn’t too tough to implement. We’ll use a wire trough to get below the two-inch nipple, allowing the wire to go through the same holes. I’ll then add a two-inch conduit on top, and that should solve our problem. The inspector has also approved running Romex through the trough and landing it in the panel, which simplifies things.
So, I’m diving into this fix. After talking to the inspector, we’re all set to go. It’s always best to check with your local inspectors since their interpretations of the code can vary. Once we’ve made these adjustments, we should be good to go. I’m getting everything prepped so that when the electrician arrives this weekend, we can run all the wires.
I’ve got the wire trough ready with three knockouts at the bottom, three in the back, and one at the top. This setup ensures all my nipples are less than 24 inches, making them compliant without needing to derate the wires. I’ll need to pick up more two-inch conduit since my current pieces aren’t long enough. I used a Slug Buster knockout punch for this, which worked great.
Next, I need to cut a few more holes using my new Diablo quick-connect hole saws. These are fantastic because you can swap them out quickly. I’ll show you how that works shortly.
I’m explaining here that our nipples are under 24 inches, meaning no derating for our wires is necessary. The Romex from the house will run through these and into the main panel, as approved by our inspector. The only thing left is to get two-inch plastic bushings for the ends of each connector, and this part of the project will be complete. I plan to run the wires through tomorrow.
I’m also installing some outdoor electrical outlets. For these, I prefer the Sigma waterproof boxes. They come with everything you need and are easy to install. You can configure them for conduit from the top, back, or bottom. I usually use the back entry with some silicone for a watertight seal.
I marked the spot where I wanted the box, drilled the necessary holes, and installed the box securely. I use sheet metal screws with washers for a solid fit, sealing everything to keep out water and bugs. Once installed, it’s just a matter of running a piece of PVC conduit to get through the insulation and sealing around it with foam.
Here’s a tip: carry your PVC primer and glue in a pan to avoid spills. I use a garbage can lid for this purpose. It’s a small step that can save a lot of cleanup later.
By the end of the day, I had three outlets installed around the exterior of the house, each positioned under overhangs to avoid direct water exposure.
Thanks for tuning in! I hope some of these tips were helpful. We’ve got more coming soon, so stay tuned. Emily and I have been working hard on several projects, and I can’t wait to share more updates with you. Catch you in the next video!
Patreon Group
Interested in tackling your build on your own? If you want to explore the possibility of being your GC or self-building, our Patreon membership is for you! It's a community of like-minded people offering support, discounts, Q/A, and more.