Debate: Romex in conduit - does it really cause overheating or is that just code guys being paranoid?

I redid a basement 6 years ago (ran 12/2 through 3/4 EMT for about 30 feet) and it's been fine, no tripping or heat issues. But I just had an inspector flag me on a similar run saying the fill ratio kills the ampacity. Who's had actual problems vs just following the rule?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_jake13d ago

My buddy runs a handyman business and he's been doing Romex in conduit for years without a single callback, so I'm with you on this one. I think the code guys are just covering their butts because the math says it can't handle the heat in a perfect lab setup. In reality, most of us aren't pulling 20 amps continuous through a 30 foot run, so the wire never gets close to hot. It's like when people freak out about leaving a phone charger plugged in with no phone on it - technically it uses a tiny bit of power, but nobody's electric bill ever went up from it.

sageallen13d ago

But wouldn't the conduit trap heat worse than open air though?