[RE-wrenches] Battery cables in conduit?

[Kent]

Generally, exposed low-voltage battery cables are given a pass in the 
vicinity of the batteries, but from your photo it appears that you are 
looking for approval to run exposed cables through the wall before 
reaching reaching an approved wiring method.

Consider:

NEC 480.12 Battery interconnections.

Allows flexible 2/0 and larger wire to be run from the battery to a 
nearby junction box where they shall be connected to an approved wiring 
method. Is the cabinet nearby? Can it be considered nearby on the 
opposite side of the wall?

NEC 300.4 Protection from physical damage.

If the wires are in a readily accessible location they probably are 
subject to physical damage. If your installation is in a power shed or a 
room with a locked door you might have an argument that they are not 
subject to physical damage.

Kent Osterberg

Blue Mountain Solar


On 3/16/2026 12:11 PM, Dave Tedeyan via RE-wrenches wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I have just completed a battery installation where the battery cables 
> are run in free air for about 6" where they come out of a cabinet and 
> go into a wire trough. The electrical inspector cannot give me a code 
> reference to say that they have to be in conduit and is asking me to 
> prove that they do not have to be in conduit. The cables are from 
> BatterycablesUSA and are the ones noted below. I am also attaching a 
> photo. The cables are coming from a drywalled battery box, just on the 
> other side of that wood. I know that these cables are very often run 
> not in conduit, but I am having trouble finding a reference that says 
> that is okay. Does anyone have something in mind?
>
> Thanks!
> -Dave
> image.png
>
> -- 
>
> 	
> Dave Tedeyan, P.E.
> Owner | Sungineer Solar
> p: he | him | his
> a: 1653 Slaterville Rd. | Ithaca, NY 14850
> w: www.sungineersolar.com <http://www.sungineersolar.com/>
> c: (607) 270-0370
>
>
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