Methods of proper attic electrical wiring.
Rules pertaining to installation of type nm wire in attics.
Nm cable also commonly known by the common trade name romex is the most common form of electrical wire.
Type nm cable may be installed exposed section 334 10 of the 2002 nec section 336 4 of the 1996 and 1999 nec 1 one or two family dwellings of any height may use type nm section 336 4 2 not including specific locations such as flammable or combustible liquids storage areas or wet locations etc.
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2 multi family dwellings permitted to be of types iii iv and v construction.
The attic wiring should be protected and secured to ceiling joists or other wood structural supports.
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Normally the cables carry 10 12 or 14 gauge conducting wires for individual house circuits.
A the upper faces of ceiling joists.
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.
Between the joists and the rafters exceeds 1 m i so where the cable is running under the rafters the rafters have to be 1m above the joists.
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For this reason the nec has protection requirements for nm cables in an attic.
Raul no this is not a standard practice and is most likely the result of improper installation of electrical attic wiring.
Cables shall not be run on or across.
Type nm type nmc and type nms cables shall be permitted to be used in the following except as prohibited in 334 12.
Nm cable is simply a bundle of individual conducting wires wrapped in a plastic vinyl outer sheathing.
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They also must be secured within 12 inches of an electrical box that includes a cable clamp or within eight inches of a box or enclosure without a cable clamp.
The number and the content of code question of the day submissions concerning the installation of nonmetallic sheathed cable suggests vast differences among or lack of proper inspection of electrical installations using type nm cable as the wiring method.
