Sub panel feeder wire protection

[rusty monkey]

I am planning on running 6/3G NM-B feeder cable from my main panel in the basement to my attached garage. The cable will come up out of the main panel and run perpendicular to the floor joists until it goes into garage wall. Can this cable be stapled to the underside of the floor joists, or do I have to put it in conduit or drill all the joists? I was told by one electritian friend that it couldn't be stapled, but I also read that any cable larger than 6/2 or 8/3 could be run on the bottom of the joists w/o protection. FWIW, my dad had his shop sub run with 6/3G NM by local electricians and the cable just stapled to the floor joists.

 

[walrus]

I am planning on running 6/3G NM-B feeder cable from my main panel in the basement to my attached garage. The cable will come up out of the main panel and run perpendicular to the floor joists until it goes into garage wall. Can this cable be stapled to the underside of the floor joists, or do I have to put it in conduit or drill all the joists? I was told by one electritian friend that it couldn't be stapled, but I also read that any cable larger than 6/2 or 8/3 could be run on the bottom of the joists w/o protection. FWIW, my dad had his shop sub run with 6/3G NM by local electricians and the cable just stapled to the floor joists.

I think you have to run a nailing board if the cable is perpendicular to the joists. A piece of strapping run where you want to run the cable. gives you something to staple to and keeps people from hanging stuff off the wire

 

[avc8130]

Is the basement "unfinished storage space"? Find it in the NEC or don't believe it.

 

[Aceman]

Is the basement "unfinished storage space"? Find it in the NEC or don't believe it.

If unfinished, 334.15(C) allows it.

 

[rusty monkey]

The basement is partially finished. The main panel and the cable would all be contained in the unfinished area. The only things back there are the washer and dryer, an old workbench, and storage. Is that considered unfinished or is that up to the individual inspector? What would be the worst case if it was questioned by a future inspector, I would have to drill the joists or run conduit and repull the cable?

 

[Mattlt]

Don't put it on the underside of the joists. That's asking for trouble. Drill through them and feed it through. (be sure to drill through them in the correct spot, usually this is near the center.)

As always, ask the inspector. They'll give you their opinion.

 

[walrus]

The basement is partially finished. The main panel and the cable would all be contained in the unfinished area. The only things back there are the washer and dryer, an old workbench, and storage. Is that considered unfinished or is that up to the individual inspector? What would be the worst case if it was questioned by a future inspector, I would have to drill the joists or run conduit and repull the cable?

Why worry about it if you aren't going to have an inspection? Aceman gave you the correct article although I could see an AHJ saying" subject to physical damage" and making you put it in conduit or thru the joists.