Yes, just aesthetics. MC is ugly.
I'm a little confused too. Art. 336.10(9) says you can run it in one and two family dwellings but you must install it in accordance with the requirements of Art. 334 part II which says you must treat it as you would type NM which means that you can't use the 60° ampacity ratings (unless you are going to a generator - Art 336) which I interpret as meaning that No. 6 would have to be in a raceway (conduit)so it qualifies under Art. 336.10(c).
This is a much better solution than the tray cable. These are high amperage conductors and I’d feel much more comfortable with them protected in solid or flex conduit. At OP’s length of 60-70’, voltage drop starts to become an issue and going to 4-gauge for the conductors is a good choice.Your install is similar to mine: 56’ run across basement to garage. I’m using 4 AWG THHN for lives and 8 AWG for ground (due to voltage drop, and a little future proofing) in 1” EMT conduit with 1” Flex conduit at each end. I’ll post more photos as I get time to work on this.
You might want to double-check with the inspector that he caught this is a 60 amp circuit and not the much more common (for EV chargers) 50 amp. 6/2 NM-B does not meet NEC for a 60 amp circuit.Just an update on my project status.. I've since went to our city building and passed the home owners electrical exam so I qualify for doing electrical work at my own house along with filing for a permit. I spoke to one of the city electrical inspectors for a while on this car charger setup/permit. Told him I'm using 6/2 NM and using the white (typically neutral) as a conductor as well. Said no problems with the wire or how I'm going to use it, just make sure to tape off the white wire on both sides in either black or red to identify it's a hot wire.
The wire is run, breaker is installed and I'm just about to call for my inspection.
The truck is supposed to be here tomorrow!
That's great. If your local inspector says NM is OK, then it is OK whatever NEC says.
That would be red as you will be using the black wire for the other hot.
I like the future proofing idea, but check to make sure that your EVSE terminals will accept a conductor as large as 4 AWG.Your install is similar to mine: 56’ run across basement to garage. I’m using 4 AWG THHN for lives and 8 AWG for ground (due to voltage drop, and a little future proofing) in 1” EMT conduit with 1” Flex conduit at each end. I’ll post more photos as I get time to work on this.
If it doesn't have a pigtail with plug i.e. if it is wall mounted then very probably rated for 60A. Examples: WallBox Pulsar; Tesla HPWC; Rivan wall charger.
Not all 6AWG copper is the same- SOME 6AWG is rated for 60 (or greater) ampacity, but NM-B is not one of them. It maxes out at 55A due to the 60C ampacity limitation on NM-B per the NEC.
We've been over all that here ad nauseam. The code is pretty clear that conductors of most types, including those in NM must be insualted for 90 ° even though it limits the ampacity rating of such conductors in NM to 60°, The important thing here is that his AHJ does not accept that limitation.
Hmm, yes I see 6 AWG max on the Rivian EVSE hardwire. This is an issue as code (and common sense) requires the jump from 6AWG to 4AWG and even 3AWG for longer 60A runs (see https://learnmetrics.com/60-amp-wire-size/). I’m going to see if I can expand the wire holes in the EVSE, or worst case just trim some strands).
