Critique My Wiring Job

[exranger06]

See pics- I'm upgrading the electrical in my garage (adding more outlets and better lighting) and I didn't like the way the previous owners (or the electrician who did the work) ran the existing wiring. It spanned across open studs instead of being stapled tight up against studs and beams. So I rerouted it and stapled the wires along the top plate. Does this look good (up to code)? Is there a rule about how far from the edges of the beam the wires can be? Should I redo this with stacker staples, or does this look fine?

 

[Ponchoguy]

See pics- I'm upgrading the electrical in my garage (adding more outlets and better lighting) and I didn't like the way the previous owners (or the electrician who did the work) ran the existing wiring. It spanned across open studs instead of being stapled tight up against studs and beams. So I rerouted it and stapled the wires along the top plate. Does this look good (up to code)? Is there a rule about how far from the edges of the beam the wires can be? Should I redo this with stacker staples, or does this look fine?

You want to post your location as codes vary from place to place. Here in NYC you'd get a big "thanks for playing" from any inspector worth his salt---everything generally has to be enclosed.

 

[Ray-CA]

The wiring will be in the way if you ever decide to sheet-rock the garage. The install does look very neat and organized though.

Ray

 

[exranger06]

I live in Guilford, CT. I don't plan on ever sheet-rocking it.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I live in Guilford, CT. I don't plan on ever sheet-rocking it.

Can you get a copy of the regs you have to follow? I'm not being a smartass, but everyone can recommend all that they want and an inspector can come by and totally rip it apart because it's not to code.

 

[dave89iroc]

Here, if it is not going to be sheeted over it has to be in conduit or be armored cable

 

[exranger06]

I was under the impression that as long as it follows the NEC, I would pretty much be fine. I know sometimes there are local rules that are a little stricter than the NEC, but I thought that everyone more or less just follows the NEC. I don't have a copy of the local rules. Do I just go to the town building department and just ask for a copy?

 

[Ilikeike]

Looks pretty clean.

Here, if it is not going to be sheeted over it has to be in conduit or be armored cable

Same here,in our old shop I had to cover a couple of stud spaces with OSB over the exposed romex. I have since re-wired most of the old stuff with MC cable and EMT for anything new.

The wiring will be in the way if you ever decide to sheet-rock the garage. The install does look very neat and organized though.

Ray

I always try to run any cable as if it will be covered myself. It looks a little cleaner too,since the cabling isn't going around studs or top plates.

 

[Toomanytools?]

Well it looks like **** but good try! ) Ha I couldn't resist. Also you can stack two wires on one staple. Just my opinion but drill holes and put them in the wall. Never say never one day you may want to cover a section of the wall, with a cabinet or shelf.

 

[Shiftless]

Local codes and your inspector's interpretations will vary.
Most places require physical protection of NM cable if it is less than 8 feet above the floor. Physical protection would be drywall, OSB or ??? My garage has a very low ceiling 7 feet so I run metal conduit with individual wires inside. With practice anybody can learn to bend the stuff. Or buy 90 degree connectors if everything fits using right angle. Bends look better IMHO.

If you drill holes in studs and run the cable that way make sure, before you drywall the place, to nail those little protector plates on the edge of the stud where the cable runs through.

 

[LutzTD]

I had my romex stapled on the top side of the bottom cord of my trusses in OH with no issue. walls were 10ft but no drywall at all. I had block so I was required to run conduit on all the walls from the load center up and then back down to my outlets. I didnt care for the look of it, but the inspector was fine with it. depends on your location I guess. I got really good at safe edging conduit with a ball peen hammer......

 

[Norcal]

AC, MC, & NM cables all require protection from physical damage.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

I would have stapled it across top of joists with a running board protecting it.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

AC, MC, & NM cables all require protection from physical damage.

I would have stapled it across top of joists with a running board protecting it.

It aint gonna fly the way it is. Shouldve ran on top of the joists with rat runners...

 

[Ponchoguy]

I was under the impression that as long as it follows the NEC, I would pretty much be fine. I know sometimes there are local rules that are a little stricter than the NEC, but I thought that everyone more or less just follows the NEC. I don't have a copy of the local rules. Do I just go to the town building department and just ask for a copy?

NEC is a guide---your local laws also apply. Yes, go to the town building department and ask...it's probably online too.

 

[exranger06]

Another thought: Any new electrical I install obviously has to be up to the current code, but what about wiring that was already there and untouched? Is that grandfathered in?

 

[Aceman]

Anything under 8' in Oregon has to be protected from physical damage. If you're over that, it'd pass here. I would still rather drill the studs/top plate and bury it in the wall than run it surface mount regardless of whether the wall was getting sheeted or not.

I've seen things change too many times in the future where the current installation needs to be modified. It's easier to just bury the wire in the wall now.

 

[Robbie13]

As others have stated, I would have ran across top of ceiling joists. In the future if you decided to insulate and close it in less work. Just saying..better to do now then later.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Another thought: Any new electrical I install obviously has to be up to the current code, but what about wiring that was already there and untouched? Is that grandfathered in?

Correct. Existing electrical is grandfathered in...

 

[Cmreschke]

Existing electrical is grandfathered in , IF, it was installed, inspected and approved to current code at the time of install.

 

[SweetD]

I would have taken the time to drill the stud holes and run it through only because if I ever went to sell the place at some point down the road, the buyer may want to sheet rock the walls.

Nice clean work though, if it works for you for now, then great!

 

[exranger06]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought drilling through the studs and stringing the wire through is also against code if you're going to leave the walls open. The reason for that is people can stick tools behind the wire and use the wire to hold the tool there. I know that going through the studs is of course fine if you're sheet-rocking, but if you're leaving the walls open, the wires need to follow the support beams and be stapled securely to them.

 

[bczygan]

Check with your authority having jurisdiction for the version of the code they have adopted and any additions or changes they have also made.