Water heater power cable, is romex OK in unfinished ceiling in garage?

[Nick]

Hi,

I need to run a #10 cable across my garage ceiling for a water heater and have 2 questions.

1) The ceiling is open (ie I can see the joists/floor above) is Romex OK or do I need metal clad cable?

2) The heater manual only shows the 2 hot legs and a ground, no neutral, is this right or have they just simplified the drawing?

Thanks

Nick..

[HA HA Budys Here]

Romex is OK exposed in an unfinished space if it's fixed in a protected enviroment, such as, stapled along the side of a beam where it's not likely to be damaged.

220 volt resistive heaters, like water heaters, baseboard heaters do not need a neutral.

[Joe Bobst]

Don't know your local codes, but as a matter of plain common sense running conduit would be better in a garage. Looks more professsional, too. HTH

Joe

[Greg]

A good compromise is ENT (AKA Smurf tube). That is the flexible blue stuff.

[Steve B.]

It depends on your local codes. In many places romex is ok above 8' but anything below that level needs to be protected. Steve B.

[Nick]

Thanks too all for the info and tips.

Nick..