Running Wire In Attic Code

An attic that is accessible which is defined by the nec as having a permanently installed stair or ladder in place must have protection for any cables that run across the top of the attic floor joists or within 7 feet where they run across the face of rafters or studs.

Running wire in attic code.

Use a 2x4 as a running board and staple to the side of it. Concealed knob and tube wiring shall not be used in the following. And use semi rigid wiring fish tape to pull your wiring down to your outlet location. Cable run across the top of joists.

I cannot find this specifically in code so here is my question. A pull down attic ladder does not count. My attic is non accessible so i know for a fact that i must protect the romex with guard strips or bore holes 1 25 from the face of the joists when running perpendicular to the joists and when i run parallel i must staple the romex to the face of the joists. I did a lot of reading about it but am confused about the best way to do it.

Protecting the cable is as simple as installing substantial guard strips which can simply be a 1x2 furring strip on each side of the cable if there s no permanent stairs or ladder this protection only has to be provided to. If this meets code then i will be running attic wiring in this manner from now on. Hi all i have to run some romex in my attic. If the attic is accessible by permanent stairs or ladder any cable running across the top of joists will have to be protected.

If the wires are within 7 of the attic access hole or along any attic flooring you ll need to protect the wiring from damage with furring strips along each side of the wire run. Methods of proper attic electrical wiring raul no this is not a standard practice and is most likely the result of improper installation of electrical attic wiring. If you will need to fish wiring through a wall drill a hole through the wood plate in the attic only. This will protect the wiring from being accidentally snagged.

When romex is run across rafters in an open unfinished attic it is my position that a raceway of some kind 1x3 s or even 2x4 s should first be attached across the affected rafters perhaps 3 to 4 above the joists then the wiring be stapled to the raceway. Whenever i do attic wiring i remove the insulation and staple it to the ceiling joist. Also it may not be as simple as stapling the wiring to the structural members. I am trying to figure out the code violation of having spliced electrical wiring in an attic put together with wire nuts.

5 hollow spaces of walls ceilings and attics where such spaces are insulated by loose rolled or foamed inplace insulating material that envelops the conductors. There is exposed wiring and i have photos i can send. Nec 2008 394 12 uses not permitted. Installing additional electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.