Running Romex behind drywall...

[JasonC]

Hello, I am installing a new bathroom fan in my second-floor bathroom. The fan has a light and nightlight that are all capable of being powered by separate switches. In order to support this, I need to run new wire up from the switch, into the attic, and over to the fan.

My question is what is the best way to do this, in terms of conduit, wire type, etc? I figure running some Romex through PVC conduit would be the best bet, especially in the attic. However, what about in the wall? Can I have unsecured Romex in there? If I ran PVC the 4 feet down the wall into the switch box, is it okay to have that unsecured?

Thanks... Jason

[aemeijers]

Unless you are someplace strange like Chicago, that requires everything to be in conduit, no need for conduit at all. Just run it like the existing wiring is run. Main reason for stapling romex off to the stud is so the drywall screws won't hit it- on old work where the drywall is already up, that is not an issue. I added a switch leg here to do the same thing, put the lights and fan on seperate switches. I just drilled through top plate of wall, and fished it down to the enlarged hole where I would be placing the

2-gang old-work box. Best to fish before installing the box- much easier to get it through the knockouts.

BTW, based on numerous threads on here, you can't run romx through conduit anyway, other than short runs like down a basement wall to a surface-mounted outlet. And for that, you have to have a bushing on end to avoid abrading the plastic jacket.

aem sends...

[RBM]

You need four conductors plus ground to make this work. The easiest thing to do may be to run flex conduit, such as Greenfield, with the individual conductors in it, from switch to fan

[Mikepier]

I would like to add that if this fan/light combo is going directly over the bath/shower area it must be protected by a GFCI circuit. But wherever you are grabbing your power from might be downstream of a GFI already since its in a bathroom.

[Doug Miller]

Oh, geez, here we go again. Why do people keep saying this? It's NOT TRUE.

Romex *is* permitted by Code to be installed in conduit, in any location where it's permitted to be installed withOUT conduit, without regard to the length of run.

Anyone who disagrees is invited to cite the article of the National Electrical Code which shows otherwise.

That, at least, is correct.

[JasonC]

Yup... exactly. I am almost positive the existing fan only has two going up there (BX), as it is just a simple el cheapo fan. Hence my needing to run new wire.

Also, thanks for the GFCI comment. Luckily, I am not directly over the tub/shower.

- Jason

[aemeijers]

If you say so, Doug- that is why I included the disclaimer 'based on numerous threads on here'. This is the first time I have heard anyone on here claim is was legal, that I recall. (IANAE, etc.) Other than a short run, it would be a PITA to pull through typical small EMT, wouldn't it?

But in OP's case, I still think it isn't needed, unless some local code requires it. Just match what is there already.

aem sends....

[Doug Miller]

Well, this isn't the first time I've posted that here, or the second, either. Might be the tenth or twelfth by now...

Nobody's been able to come up with a Code cite yet.

Not only is it legal to put Romex inside conduit, in some cases it's

*required*.

Yep. But it's Code-compliant.

Oh, I agree, it isn't needed, given the OP's description. But it's perfectly legal.