New Circuit - Panel Recessed in Concrete

[C317414]

Hi,

We have a condo in Puerto Rico (NEC applies here). The walls are reinforced concrete. The service panel is recessed in a concrete wall, and all existing wiring in the condo is through metal conduits buried in the walls.

I need to add another 15A circuit, and will be running the wiring through a conduit outside a wall. What would be the easiest way to run the wire to the existing panel? Will I need to drill/chisel out the concrete adjacent to the panel in order to connect the conduit to the panel? Is there any type of device that would allow me to make a surface connection to the box without having to break any concrete?

 

[Fitter30]

Any receptacle, switches home run box where a extension box could be added and run pipe off of it.

 

[Sponsor]

 

[C317414]

How do you run pipe from a box that is recessed in concrete? That is the question.

 

[Fitter30]

That's what a extension box is for. They screw to the box in the wall.

https://www.amazon.com/Hubbell-Raco-Single-Gang-Extension/dp/B000GAT8QG

https://www.amazon.com/Hubbell-187-Extension-product-specific/dp/B003A4AEFY/ref=mp_s_a_1_17?crid=3KBCDU305MU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.C_fwfWn_77m7a2xw-jyBb-qRtiPTsT6hZMf5tVkp8951azWni2Ong6VJBVSs-RaUtUIwjsFg5oGR5-U_wuEj1ypGMMnFsyHaMZUsZ3YO3CID-mpsDOCYRua84zXqAuPrQ1-g_Vd_EdMQseMhs3U72GhS_Z0GCqU7UmqPCH5l2hRJlH4Zff5B1wz0YLCvmQQNVljrcAhWe44U9-AYIy8bEw.EuQOSRb_4Acbv67lDefv4fA7FGZAzC_H2wER01VTLL8&dib_tag=se&keywords=2+gang+extension+box&qid=1710873114&sprefix=2+gang+extension+box%2Caps%2C279&sr=8-17

 

[C317414]

That's what a extension box is for. They screw to the box in the wall.

https://www.amazon.com/Hubbell-Raco-Single-Gang-Extension/dp/B000GAT8QG

https://www.amazon.com/Hubbell-187-Extension-product-specific/dp/B003A4AEFY/ref=mp_s_a_1_17?crid=3KBCDU305MU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.C_fwfWn_77m7a2xw-jyBb-qRtiPTsT6hZMf5tVkp8951azWni2Ong6VJBVSs-RaUtUIwjsFg5oGR5-U_wuEj1ypGMMnFsyHaMZUsZ3YO3CID-mpsDOCYRua84zXqAuPrQ1-g_Vd_EdMQseMhs3U72GhS_Z0GCqU7UmqPCH5l2hRJlH4Zff5B1wz0YLCvmQQNVljrcAhWe44U9-AYIy8bEw.EuQOSRb_4Acbv67lDefv4fA7FGZAzC_H2wER01VTLL8&dib_tag=se&keywords=2+gang+extension+box&qid=1710873114&sprefix=2+gang+extension+box%2Caps%2C279&sr=8-17

You misunderstood me. I'm not trying to extend a circuit. Let me explain it again.

The service panel is recessed in a concrete wall. I want to add another circuit breaker and run the wiring to a new outlet using conduit on the surface of the wall. When a panel is recessed in a drywall/stud wall it's pretty easy to make a hole in the drywall. It's not so easy when the panel is recessed in concrete. Other than chiseling out some concrete next to the service panel, is there another way to do this?

 

[Fitter30]

1/2" emt 14 gauge wires can hold 12 wires. 9 for 12 gauge. In a pipe going back to the panel. Use one existing wire as a pull wire pull the new wires in with them. Lube the new wires up and use two people.

 

[Reach4]

From what I heard, it is normal to chisel out the concrete. Ask a local what the norm is, and I expect they have local electricians that are practiced at that.

 

[C317414]

1/2" emt 14 gauge wires can hold 12 wires. 9 for 12 gauge. In a pipe going back to the panel. Use one existing wire as a pull wire pull the new wires in with them. Lube the new wires up and use two people.

This has nothing to do with my question.

 

[wwhitney]

This has nothing to do with my question.

Fitter30's suggestion is that you take advantage of one of the existing runs of EMT between your embedded panel and a conveniently located box. If that run is not overly full, you can pull additional conductors into it. Then as you wanted to install your new conduit surface mounted on the wall, that box can have a raised cover installed, so the conduit can come out the side of the raised cover on the face of the wall.

That way you don't have to do any concrete removal. Otherwise, no, there's no solution that doesn't involve breaking concrete.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[C317414]

Fitter30's suggestion is that you take advantage of one of the existing runs of EMT between your embedded panel and a conveniently located box. If that run is not overly full, you can pull additional conductors into it. Then as you wanted to install your new conduit surface mounted on the wall, that box can have a raised cover installed, so the conduit can come out the side of the raised cover on the face of the wall.

That way you don't have to do any concrete removal. Otherwise, no, there's no solution that doesn't involve breaking concrete.

Cheers, Wayne

Thanks.

Unfortunately, there are no existing runs anywhere near where the new outlet is needed (utility closet). Moreover, the closest run goes to a box embedded in a concrete wall that is in a finished interior wall. I do not want to run surface conduit from a finished wall.

This is the way most construction is here. All walls are reinforced concrete. Electrical runs are in embedded conduit, and boxes are recessed in concrete. Remodeling is a lot of fun.

 

[wwhitney]

Unfortunately, there are no existing runs anywhere near where the new outlet is needed (utility closet). Moreover, the closest run goes to a box embedded in a concrete wall that is in a finished interior wall. I do not want to run surface conduit from a finished wall.

Just to confirm, you don't actually need a box near where the new outlet is to be located. You just need a box that will let you run surface mount conduit from that box to the desired location, without installing a whole lot of extra conduit.

Otherwise, breaking concrete is the only option.

Cheers, Wayne

 

[Fitter30]

Look at wiremold, cable race way and cable management.

 

[C317414]

Just to confirm, you don't actually need a box near where the new outlet is to be located. You just need a box that will let you run surface mount conduit from that box to the desired location, without installing a whole lot of extra conduit.

Otherwise, breaking concrete is the only option.

Cheers, Wayne

Look at wiremold, cable race way and cable management.

Thanks.

My condo has a closet that is adjacent to a pantry, and the service panel is in the closet. I am going to modify the pantry so I can install a dishwasher (plumbing is not an issue), and I need power for the dishwasher. The issue is not specifically how close an existing outlet is. The issue is that I do not want to run external conduit, or wiremold in a finished area, and all the existing outlets are in finished areas. I want the external conduit or wiremold run to remain inside the closet and pantry.

I was hoping that there was such a thing as a service panel trim extension, similar to an electrical box extension. This would allow a surface conduit to connect to the extension from the side.

I guess that I'll have to break out my chisel and hammer drill.