Cob: electrical

[David Knowlton]

i have no credentials here, but why would air dissipate heat better than
cob? again - no research available. common sense tells me the cob
would be a better heat sink than air. romex is extra insulated - the
coating is real tough stuff - and if it works in the ground - why not
in the 'earth' that is cob? Air is an insulator, solids are better 
conductors
in general. just thinking out loud.

david


>From: Dorothy Bothne <dbothne54 at yahoo.com>
>Reply-To: Dorothy Bothne <dbothne54 at yahoo.com>
>To: coblist at deatech.com
>Subject: Re: Cob: electrical
>Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2003 06:06:31 -0700 (PDT)
>
>Mary,
>I've handled electrical systems in two different ways.  In the first 
>structure I built, I used Romex (available at Home Depot) rated for outside 
>(direct burying).  I buried it directly in the cob.  the structure had 3 
>outlets and 2lights and 1 exhaust fan.  everything works fine.   I'm 
>working on my second structure now.    I consulted with an electrical 
>design engineer and he recommended that I use a conduit buried in the wall 
>and pull the wires through the conduit in lieu of direct burying the Romex. 
>  He also suggested that I use the blue "smurf tube" because it's flexible 
>enough to bend around curves and you need fewer fittings.
>The reason that he said to use conduit is that the wire needs the air in 
>the conduit to dissipate heat.  also, you can replace the wire in the 
>conduit easier if repairs become necessary.
>Dorothy
>
>Mary Hooper <mjhooper at trccomputing.com> wrote:
>Will someone tell me something about installing electrical systems. Do the
>wires go outside the wall or are they embedded? that sort of thing. I have
>not bought a how-to book yet. This interests me as my honey would not put 
>an
>outlet in the basement (concrete floor) bathroom unless it had a ground
>fault interrupter.
>The solar panels have to connect to inside somehow. Maybe it's wired like a
>"regular" house?
>thanks
>Mary
>
>
>
>
>---------------------------------
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