Is conduit required for vertical wiring runs

[johnstra]

Hi all - My new 30x40x12 w/ a 15x40 attic is done and I'm roughing in electrical. I searched but could not find an answer to my question. I had somebody tell me at one time that for wiring that I'm running into my attic or up and over the ceiling, I have to run it through conduit if it's over 8' high. Does anyone know if that's true or can I just staple to a post?
thanks,
-john

 

[rockwithjason]

romex has to be protected from physical damage. if the cable is covered by drywall or some other effective means then it is protected in the wall. unless there is another hazard in the attic then there is no need to use conduit. i personally prefer it, but it is not required.

 

[LXCam]

romex has to be protected from physical damage. if the cable is covered by drywall or some other effective means then it is protected in the wall. unless there is another hazard in the attic then there is no need to use conduit. i personally prefer it, but it is not required.

Just to add it still needs to be stapled every 4ft or within 12" of a box. But it's been a hell of a lot of years since I've done any resi work that was inspected. But I don't think anything along these lines has changed. So if it has, I'm sure someone will pipe up.

 

[olytdi]

I think the 8 ft rule is for exposed wiring below 8 ft.

When I wired my shop (pole barn), all of the exposed wire runs below 8 ft were done in BX. Anything I ran from the trusses down (like to welding receptacles), was run into PVC conduit from 8 ft on down. Anything running about the trusses I did in romex.

Basically anything from the ground up to 8 ft high is protected.

Inspector loved it.

 

[nehog]

not[/B] over 8' high. ...

I think the word 'not' is missing. IFIFY!

 

[sands35]

My ahj allowed exposed romex runs from the breaker box up to the attic. I didn't measure, but the top of the box is around 7 feet of the floor and the ceiling is 10', so a 3' run of exposed romex. All runs to outlets and switches are behind drywall though. Eventually, I'll put a cover box over it for cosmetic reasons.

All the attic runs are supported by 2x4s under them or stapled up to joists every 4'. Runs within 10' of the attic access need protection from walking on them. Basically build a simple U box to lay the romex in, run the wire on the side of the joist, or better yet, don't run wire near the access hole.

My garage is detached, so not sure if that matters. It isn't a "dwelling" by code.

Now running exposed romex around outlet high would be silly, code allowed or not.

Most un-finished basements I've seen have exposed romex stapled to the bottom side of floor joists.

 

[mbatarga]

Every foot of romex in my 38 x 60 shop is exposed. From the switch boxes and outlets mounted at 48" through 2x4 studs to adjacent boxes and up through the top plates and over the trusses - all the way to the breaker panel. I do have staples appropriately placed. Passed inspection with no issues. I confirmed with the inspector beforehand that exposed romex was not an issue. I plan to some day insulate and cover walls with plywood/drywall.

 

[rickit]

Every foot of romex in my 38 x 60 shop is exposed. From the switch boxes and outlets mounted at 48" through 2x4 studs to adjacent boxes and up through the top plates and over the trusses - all the way to the breaker panel. I do have staples appropriately placed. Passed inspection with no issues. I confirmed with the inspector beforehand that exposed romex was not an issue. I plan to some day insulate and cover walls with plywood/drywall.

Same here all rimes exposed