stapling wire

[Unregistered]

To the best of my knowledge the NEC requires that wire be stapled about every 4.5 feet and within 6-8 inches of all boxes. My question concerns stapling within 6-8 inch of a box. I have a wire runs horizontally through the studs from left to right. After is passes the final stud it goes down right into the receptacle box. The distance from the hole in the stud the box is very short, maybe 2 inches. There is no staple on this wire within 6 inches of this box. I don't know how there can be since the distance is so short once in comes out of the stud. It this a code violation? What can be done to correct if necessary? Thanks

[mdshunk]

There are a few solutions to this problem. The first, and most obvious, is to simply drill your holes higher. Many of the contractors in my area are using the "engineered studs" that already have a wiring hole predrilled in them. This is where I often run into the problem you describe. Instead of taking the wire directly down to the box, take the wire up. Staple the wire, and then make about a 6 radius bend in the wire to put it into the box. Even though the distance from the box to the staple (measured along the wire) will be greater than six or eight inches, the distance from the box to the staple will only be 3 or 4.

[Wgoodrich]

Check rules for Romex, it says secured to structure within not STAPLED.

Also if you check the same rules saying that Romex passing through a bored holes is a form of of securing in place of staples.

The bored holes close to the box will serve same as a staple.

Hope this gives some ideas

Wg

[mdshunk]

The bored holes close to the box will serve same as a staple.


I'd like to start doing it as you suggest. Putting a staple at each box is going to be a hard habit to break. I never realized a bored hole was considered "secured". I always considered a bored hole "support".

[Homer]

On a similar thought, what if you need to splice into an existing run of cable. You place two junction boxes very close together and connect them with 4 inches of romex. Do you need to staple the "jumper" to the framing member? Does the fact that this tiny run is secured within 6 inches by the other box save you?

Homer

[Speedy Petey]

I interpert the code the same way as WG. To me it's sort of a loophole. Or should I say "stud hole", ha.....ha.....ha.

I usually do try to get a staple in there is for some reason the hole is too close to the box, {read: helper drilled and didn't remember where the boxes will be}, or I'll re-drill.


Homer my Man!!
Actually no. The cable must be secured to structure. Your suggestion only supports the cable at the box. So I would say no good. :mad:
Strangely enough if the wire passed through a hole in a stud between the boxes it would probably fly due to a technicality. :D

Remember, it's within 8" of a single gang non-metallic box with no box clamp. Only single gang has this exception of not needing a box clamp. All other non-metallic boxes require a cable clamp and must be stapled within 12".

[Wgoodrich]

If a cable comes out of a box whether 8" for plastic or 12" for all others and that cable makes a turn within that distance limitation for that type box then passing through a bored hole both secures and supports and fullfills this securing within that distance from that box. If that cable passes through a hole horizontally within 4 1/2' then it is considered as secured. Then if that hole is within the 12" or 8" of the box it is considered as secured by approved means [aka bored hole] per the previous part of that same sentence. The and in that sentence makes two separate rules within one sentence. First serving to meet the second part of that sentence.

Copied section NEC 2002;

(A) Horizontal Runs through Holes and Notches. In other than vertical runs, cables installed in accordance with 300.4 shall be considered supported and secured where such support does not exceed 1.4-m (41/2-ft) intervals and the nonmetallic-sheathed cable is securely fastened in place by an approved means within 300 mm (12 in.) of each box, cabinet, conduit body, or other nonmetallic-sheathed cable termination.

AS for Homer's thought. The securing must be installed not to exceed the 8" or 12" depending on the type of box. If you have a cable so short it does not exceed the limitations then I see it not being a concern. Then again it could be argued that if that cable came out 1" beyond the box and is only 1" long an approved method of securing must be installed even though it did not reach maximum distance allowed for that securing.

I do not read it that way. Logic in my mind does not dictated it that way. If a cable is shorter than the maximum distance then it need not be secured.

Love that electrical trade challenge. Listen to ourselves, we sound like lawyers arguing for a 40 year sentence for the condemned. I can tell you being an inspector in the other trades that this fine line interpretation only seems to exist in the electrical trade not the other trades such as building and plumbing. Ever seen a discussion that they had to agree not to agree in the building trade? Must be due to the technoligy involved in the subject of electricity.

Hope this helps

Wg

[6pack]

Homers question to me would be one of those hypothetical things. Now that attorneys are mentioned something this simple could go on for hours. Have to sympathise with WG and inspectors when interpritting codes, as I'm sure they here more "WHAT IF'S" than anyone. But I guess in disccussion it's fun on the job it's something else, you need to know now!

Mdshunk are you saying 2 x4's are being installed already pre-drilled?? Have never heard off?

[mdshunk]

Mdshunk are you saying 2 x4's are being installed already pre-drilled?? Have never heard off?

Yes. I am told that the precut studs from Canada are subject to high US lumber import tariffs. If they predrill a hole, it's considered an "engineered wood product" and the import tariffs are much less. The finger-jointed studs also have a predrilled hole, but I'm not sure if they are a US or Canadian product. Makes my life a little nicer when they use the predrilled studs, but I mostly do old houses anyhow. Only a few new projects here and there.