What wire to use instead of Romex

@1971gto455ho said:

@jea48

Thank you for your interest, I’m using 4 Single pole breakers with nicely separated independent 12 gauge wires, there is no need or code to use breaker ties, I want them independent. I’ve a 100 amp panel servicing little else, the audio ends at 2 hospital grade outlet boxes (tabs broken code legal).

In response to my post on 08-09-2025 at 10:33am 

Per NEC code when the two receptacles of the duplex receptacle are split and are fed from separate circuit breakers, both outlets shall be de-energized by a single handle action for electrical safety. Single action, use of a 2 pole circuit breaker or two single pole breakers using an approved, Listed, breaker tie.

2020 NEC

Quote:

210.7 Multiple Branch Circuits. "Where two or more branch circuits supply devices or equipment on the same yoke or mounting strap, a means to simultaneously disconnect the ungrounded supply conductors shall be provided at the point at which the branch circuits originate."

end of quote.

Like I said in my post, it’s an electrical safety thing. 

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Best regards,

Jim

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What is the size, handle amp rating, of the breaker that feeds the kitchen sub panel?

100amp

That would be a GFCI breaker is required for a garage receptacle outlet. An AFCI (Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter) breaker is not required in a garage. 

Just did a little Google research and learned what an AFCI is. I'm not sure if code requires it, but if it does, I'm sure the electrician will let me know.

DO NOT buy either the residential  Siemens or Eaton Type 2 SPDs from Amazon. Amazon.com IS NOT an authorized dealer. Manufacturer’s warranty would be void.

Thanks for the tip!

Question, is there a Condo above yours? Or maybe an attic space? 

No. The buildings here are all two stories: 1 ranch unit, 2 townhouse units (living/dining/kitchen downstairs, bath and bedrooms upstairs), and 1 terrace unit (small terrace off of dining room above the front door) with the entire living area (except the front door, a small entryway and a coat closet) above the four garage bays.  Above the terrace and townhouse units is a common attic. The ranch has its own attic.

FWIW, I don’t think you are going to like the looks of MC cable surfaced mounted on your wall(s) and ceiling. IF you are married you best run the idea past your wife first.

I'm not very worried. As you saw, the garage is not particularly great looking as it is, and it'd be worse - all sheetrock with tape and spackle - if I hadn't thrown up a coat of white paint to brighten it up.

If 30ft or less you might want to consider using #12awg solid copper single conductors. Twist the Hot and neutral together as I mention in another post. Use EMT conduit in the garage to a pull box, (No joints/splices) then transition to 700 Wiremold in the condo unit. 700 WM is surfaced mounted.

I like the idea of going over spec and using 10AWG. Seems like Wiremold would make the outlet install much easier, but is there a variety that can fit the larger gauge? As far as aesthetics, I could live with a short run (about 12") coming straight up from the floor to the bottom of a surface-mounted outlet box. There'd be no need to run any Wiremold along walls or baseboards. Even if more expensive, using EMT would allow me to follow your recommendation of twisting the hot with the neutral but not the ground. And yes, I certainly want a single run of each wire with no splices.

Installing WM is not for a novice. If the electrician does not have many, many hours of experience installing WM don’t you be his first job. What you see, is what you get!

I will definitely ask how experienced he is with it before going that route!

Trust me MC will look ugly inside your Condo ran exposed. Even painted, it will look ugly

What I had originally envisioned is an outlet inside the wall like any other, with the wiring going down through the wall and into the garage.

Hopefully the Street View image of a building in my complex and my remarkable artist's rendition help you better understand the layout of everything. And once again, thanks for all of your input. It's very valuable and very appreciated.

@roccity 

Nice photo of the bottom surfaced mounted electrical panel. How about a photo of the interior of top Main Electrical service panel. That’s the one I wanted to see.

Breakers in the Square D panel in the above photo are their Homline style. OK. I like the Square D QO better. The QO has plated copper Bus. Homeline has aluminum bus  

@roccity said:

As far as aesthetics, I could live with a short run (about 12") coming straight up from the floor to the bottom of a surface-mounted outlet box.

Is that the extent of the new branch circuit wiring there will be in the Condo? About 12"? I'm confused... Is the new wall outlet in the Condo, on the same common wall with the garage? 

"coming straight up from the floor to the bottom of a"

Is the wall in the condo wood studs with drywall? 

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Both panels were put in to replace the original panel which did not have enough room for another breaker for my NEMA 14-50 outlet for my EV charger. A single larger panel would not fit in between the panel of one of my neighbor’s to the right and the house panel (power for common elements) to the left. I had to go to Home Depot earlier today. While I was there, I did in fact pick up a Homeline breaker to have on hand (20 AMP, single pole).

Is the wall in the condo wood studs with drywall?

Yes - wood studs with drywall. Constructed circa 1973/1974.

Is the new wall outlet in the Condo, on the same common wall with the garage? 

Yes. It's a short, straight run from the outlet down to the garage - just as it appears in the illustration I created above.