What wire to use instead of Romex

@jea48

Next week I'm going to stop by a local electrical supply house that I've been to before and buy the cable myself. I should probably get a more accurate measurement in case I can purchase by the foot and save a few bucks versus buying a 50-foot run (if it's even available in that length).

I didn't even know about anti-short bushings. Thanks so much for the links. At first I thought it was more like a grommet to line the hole into the panel box. Seeing the video of how they're installed, it definitely makes sense to me to use them. I'll grab a couple either at Home Depot or the supply house, so long as they don't obscenely overcharge for them and if they're not already included with the cable.  I'll keep you and the others here in the loop. Have a great weekend!

Hello- 10 gauge wire matches with a 30 amp breaker in the electrical panel. The possible problem with #10 wire and a 20 amp breaker is that if the copper wire heats up excessively, the breaker will not trip in order to save it, and the insulation around the copper will melt, causing a fire inside the wall. This has been the cause of many house fires. For audio components, this should not be an issue, as they are not heating devices (like space heaters, etc.). 

the HOA wants any wires in the garage inside conduit, presumably for a uniform appearance as the garage is a shared area with four bays

Leave it to the Karens in the HOA to dictate the appearance of the INTERIOR of a garage.

mandink

10 gauge wire matches with a 30 amp breaker in the electrical panel ...

Not necessarily. Using 10AWG wire with a 20A breaker can help reduce voltage drop.

The possible problem with #10 wire and a 20 amp breaker is that if the copper wire heats up excessively, the breaker will not trip in order to save it ...

The wire should never heat up, the breaker should trip at 20A. No problem.

@roccity said:

Next week I’m going to stop by a local electrical supply house that I’ve been to before and buy the cable myself.

You might want to check with the HOA first. Exposed MC cable will not be as pleasing to the eye as EMT conduit. MC exposed kind of looks like installing Romex exposed on a wall. You can support the heck out of it and it still doesn’t look pretty...

Questions:

How much of the the exposed MC cable will be seen in the garage before it enters the wall of dwelling unit?

What is the garage wall finish of the wall it will be installed on? Example, wood studs covered by drywall? Cement block? Other?

Horizontal elevation off the floor of the MC cable? Distance down from the ceiling?

Is the electrical panel surfaced mounted to the wall? 

Vertical length of the MC cable above the electrical panel  before it is installed horizontally?

Can you post a picture of the electrical panel and the area the MC cable will be installed?

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