Rewiring a log cabin

I have an old log cabin with 5" thick logs. I want to rewire and
mount outlets on the logs. To connect outlets on the same wall, I
want to run a wire horizontally between two logs where the gap is
between 1/2 inch to 2 inches. Once this is done, I will be chinking
(applying mortar) the logs. So the mortar will surround the wire and
the wire will lie somewhere in the 5" thickness gap between 2 logs.
These logs may expand and contract a little throughout the year, but
structurally, they're like a rock.

Can I use NMB wire for this? If not, what must I use. Thanks for the
Help.

 

[ehsjr]

brian.bach@uwmf.wisc.edu wrote:

I have an old log cabin with 5" thick logs. I want to rewire and
mount outlets on the logs. To connect outlets on the same wall, I
want to run a wire horizontally between two logs where the gap is
between 1/2 inch to 2 inches. Once this is done, I will be chinking
(applying mortar) the logs. So the mortar will surround the wire and
the wire will lie somewhere in the 5" thickness gap between 2 logs.
These logs may expand and contract a little throughout the year, but
structurally, they're like a rock.

Can I use NMB wire for this? If not, what must I use. Thanks for the
Help.

Using NM in mortar is specifically prohibited by the NEC.
You can use MC or MI, or run nonmetallic conduit.

Ed

 

[terryS]

On Sep 28, 4:13 pm, ehsjr <eh...@bellatlantic.net> wrote:

brian.b...@uwmf.wisc.edu wrote:
I have an old log cabin with 5" thick logs. I want to rewire and
mount outlets on the logs. To connect outlets on the same wall, I
want to run a wire horizontally between two logs where the gap is
between 1/2 inch to 2 inches. Once this is done, I will be chinking
(applying mortar) the logs. So the mortar will surround the wire and
the wire will lie somewhere in the 5" thickness gap between 2 logs.
These logs may expand and contract a little throughout the year, but
structurally, they're like a rock.

Can I use NMB wire for this? If not, what must I use. Thanks for the
Help.

Using NM in mortar is specifically prohibited by the NEC.
You can use MC or MI, or run nonmetallic conduit.

Ed

That's seems to be what the rules say in North America?
But reading the UK based d-i-y group <uk.d-i-y > group it would appear
that they with their brick house construction bury 230 volt wires
wires in plaster and within mortared walls etc all the time! So there
must be cabling etc. that can withstand what the OP wants to do?
Using plastic conduit would be bulky and probably wouldn't fit in the
chinks between the logs.
Could cable suitable for direct ground burial (is that what MC or MI
means?) be used between the logs and then mortared or plastered or
caulked in?
Might be good idea to keep asking; someone in North America has
probably hit this question before.

 

[terryS]

On Sep 30, 2:48 pm, terryS <tsanf...@nf.sympatico.ca> wrote:

Can I use NMB wire for this? If not, what must I use. Thanks for the
Help.

Using NM in mortar is specifically prohibited by the NEC.
You can use MC or MI, or run nonmetallic conduit.

Ed

BTW. Respectfully suggest try asking this question on
<alt.home.repair> they are a pretty knowledgeable and helpful group.

 

[Don Bowey]

On 9/30/07 9:52 AM, in article
1191171127.832137.75650@d55g2000hsg.googlegroups.com, "terryS"
<tsanford@nf.sympatico.ca> wrote:

On Sep 30, 2:48 pm, terryS <tsanf...@nf.sympatico.ca> wrote:

Can I use NMB wire for this? If not, what must I use. Thanks for the
Help.

Using NM in mortar is specifically prohibited by the NEC.
You can use MC or MI, or run nonmetallic conduit.

Ed


BTW. Respectfully suggest try asking this question on
alt.home.repair> they are a pretty knowledgeable and helpful group.

Also, respectfully suggest you seek an answer _off_the_internet. Most any
electrical supply joint will have credible people whom you can ask. Don't
just ask around in random places until someone tells you what you would
prefer to hear.

Ed's suggestion is valid, "You can use MC or MI {rated cable}, or run
nonmetallic conduit."

My copy of the NEC says the same thing. No surprise.

 

[bud--]

terryS wrote:

On Sep 30, 2:48 pm, terryS <tsanf...@nf.sympatico.ca> wrote:
Can I use NMB wire for this? If not, what must I use. Thanks for the
Help.
Using NM in mortar is specifically prohibited by the NEC.
You can use MC or MI, or run nonmetallic conduit.
Ed

BTW. Respectfully suggest try asking this question on
alt.home.repair> they are a pretty knowledgeable and helpful group.

Yea, they answer a lot of electrical questions.

UF- underground feeder - should be applicable. Looks like grey Romex
(but is a pain to strip).

--
bud--