Running nm cable in attic

[dutzk]

My garage attic has an opening for access. The attic will have blown in insulation. Can I run cable diagonally across the ceiling joists? Joists are 24 oc. While trying to find the answer to this I came across people saying if ran on top on the joist the cable needs to be protected if within 6 ft of scuttle hole. Is this correct even if the cables will be covered with blow in cellulose and not have foot traffic?







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[Cmreschke]

Yes this is correct. I'm within 6 ft of scuttle you need to protect it. Run a 2x4 next to it. Also if your running close to the crotch of the truss by the splice plates then you should protect it there as well.

 

[Falcon67]

Houses here have "romex" running every which way and not "protected" in any fashion. They do staple inside the walls. In this house there are about 8-10 runs next to the attic stairs, maybe 3" from the hole. I've been in a LOT of houses and seen plenty wired, never ever seen anything like above. Not here, not Fort Worth/Dallas, not Houston. If it's a requirement, it's ignored by builders and inspectors.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Need to staple every 4 1/2'

 

[matt_i]

As above, every other truss, if run perpendicular, should be 4' oc. If run diagonally, you'd have to measure, could be a staple every truss. DOn't drill the trusses no matter what.

 

[Cmreschke]

You don't have to staple on top of trusses here. It is considered support just by laying on top. As long as you staple on the vertical when it goes into your holes or horizontal say at a turn it would be considered secure as well.

For neatness factor can you avoid running diagonally and run it perpendicular and parallel to the trusses? Would look much neater and you will have better chance of not hitting wire up there if your ever walking around.

 

[2Big2Ride]

Houses here have "romex" running every which way and not "protected" in any fashion. They do staple inside the walls. In this house there are about 8-10 runs next to the attic stairs, maybe 3" from the hole. I've been in a LOT of houses and seen plenty wired, never ever seen anything like above. Not here, not Fort Worth/Dallas, not Houston. If it's a requirement, it's ignored by builders and inspectors.

The NM in our attic looks like a pile of spaghetti noodles - located near Fort Worth. Don't think there is a staple on anything running horizontal and no protection. Our old house in SW Washington state followed a common path from the panel through the attic, all routed nicely, in a safe place, and stapled nice and neat. Work of art compared to the way it was done in this house.

 

[DonPowers]

If you are OCD like me, you can do something like this.

 

[lakeroadster]

If you are OCD like me, you can do something like this.

What you call OCD I would call good planning. Nice job Mr. Powers and thanks for the idea.

You down with OCD... Yeah you know me: Gardner Bender Multi-Cable Staples (20-Pack)

 

[DonPowers]

What you call OCD I would call good planning. Nice job Mr. Powers.

Thanks.

 

[dutzk]

I called my inspector, he said diagonal is ok. He read the code about protection within 6 ft of scuttle. When I say read, he read it right out of the book as if not too familiar with it until I brought it up. When I asked him how he recommends protecting cables he wasn't sure and said to check a hardware store. after that conversation I think he's going to be lenient on that.


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[zmaxmotorsports]

Yes this is correct. I'm within 6 ft of scuttle you need to protect it. Run a 2x4 next to it. Also if your running close to the crotch of the truss by the splice plates then you should protect it there as well.

 

[lakeroadster]

Don,

I wanted to thank you again for the MultiCable Staple idea... worked out pretty nicely in my barn.

 

[DonPowers]

You're welcome John, looking good!

 

[gnxtc2]

The stackers are fine but an inspector could fail you for the zip ties.

Billy T.
[email protected]

 

[lakeroadster]

The stackers are fine but an inspector could fail you for the zip ties.

Billy T.
[email protected]

Perhaps you could provide chapter and verse from NEC?

 

[gnxtc2]

See 310.15(B)(2)(a) and 310.15(B)(3)(a) aka: bundling of 4 or more and longer than 24". There is no clear definition of bundling in the NEC. That's why I said "could". Bundling is up to the interpretation of the inspector.

More Than Three Current-Carrying Conductors in a Raceway or Cable. Where the number of current-carrying conductors in a raceway or cable exceeds three, OR where single conductors or multiconductor cables are installed without maintaining spacing for a continuous length longer than 600 mm (24 in.) and are not installed in raceways, the allowable ampacity of each conductor shall be reduced as shown in Table 310.15(B)(2)(a). Each current-carrying conductor of a paralleled set of conductors shall be counted as a current-carrying conductor.

If you replaced the zip ties with stackers, you'll have no issues.

Billy T.
[email protected]

 

[mrobins297aaa]

Don,

I wanted to thank you again for the MultiCable Staple idea... worked out pretty nicely in my barn.

nice job

 

[ard]

Don,

I wanted to thank you again for the MultiCable Staple idea... worked out pretty nicely in my barn.

I think you needed a few more in those radius turns....

 

[Showkey]

Houses here have "romex" running every which way and not "protected" in any fashion. They do staple inside the walls. In this house there are about 8-10 runs next to the attic stairs, maybe 3" from the hole. I've been in a LOT of houses and seen plenty wired, never ever seen anything like above. Not here, not Fort Worth/Dallas, not Houston. If it's a requirement, it's ignored by builders and inspectors.

Pretty much the same here in Wisconsin.

 

[rburke65]

I have seen the every which way in lots of attics, but this was in a rewire situation.....no inspection. Just what I have seen when I got up into the attic. They could inspect MY work....no problem.....but I have seen some real spaghetti in attics.

 

[lakeroadster]

See 310.15(B)(2)(a) and 310.15(B)(3)(a) aka: bundling of 4 or more and longer than 24". There is no clear definition of bundling in the NEC. That's why I said "could". Bundling is up to the interpretation of the inspector.

More Than Three Current-Carrying Conductors in a Raceway or Cable. Where the number of current-carrying conductors in a raceway or cable exceeds three, OR where single conductors or multiconductor cables are installed without maintaining spacing for a continuous length longer than 600 mm (24 in.) and are not installed in raceways, the allowable ampacity of each conductor shall be reduced as shown in Table 310.15(B)(2)(a). Each current-carrying conductor of a paralleled set of conductors shall be counted as a current-carrying conductor.

If you replaced the zip ties with stackers, you'll have no issues.

Billy T.
[email protected]

Thanks Billy.

 

[homemade1487]

A friend of mine who is a master electrician. Whenever it comes to bundling multiple nm conductors, he just uses one staple every 4' and every 6" out of a box. Zip ties the bundle to the staple but no zip ties between the staples.


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