NM cable running through a cold air return in residence

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Silvertaco81

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Genesee, wisconsin, Usa
I live in Wisconsin, just did a repair on a house in the basement, had to run 14-2 from one end of basement to other, drilled through 1 joist of cold air return, caulked both sides. done, inspector failed me. told me 300.22 C (exception) Does not apply to NM cable. now i have done this on every residential house for the past 20 years. every other inspector allows this. is there something i am missing?
 
Inspector is incorrect. Where did he say that it says that you cannot apply this to NM cable it clearly states in the exception that 300.22(C) does not apply to any cable going perpendicular through the space.

300.22(C)Exception: This section shall not apply to the joist or stud spaces of dwelling units where the wiring passes through such spaces perpendicular to the long dimension of such spaces.
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I thought you could go perpendicularly through it, but not parallel in it.
 
infinity said:
Inspector is incorrect. Where did he say that it says that you cannot apply this to NM cable it clearly states in the exception that 300.22(C) does not apply to any cable going perpendicular through the space.
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read email below, this is from the state of wisconsin........ i know they are wrong but need some back up..
 

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Hv&Lv said:
Couldn’t see the reply. Did they give you a code article for reference?
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it is the picture, it says 300.22 (c)(1) unless it is installed in a metallic raceway from the state.
from the inspector was. "no, the exception states only if the cabling is necessary for sensing of the environmental air." these guys are on some drugs i think
 
I see it now..
i understand the reason some cables aren’t allowed in plenum spaces. Smoke in ductwork, etc..
but the plenum is wood on three sides!
for that reason I believe (c) applies.
 
Silvertaco81 said:
it is the picture, it says 300.22 (c)(1) unless it is installed in a metallic raceway from the state.
from the inspector was. "no, the exception states only if the cabling is necessary for sensing of the environmental air." these guys are on some drugs i think
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The inspector obviously is ill trained. 300.22(C) Exception applies here. This has been in the code since dirt was invented. Time for a lesson...
 
I also agree with everyone. The inspector is incorrect. If nm didn't apply then the code would state that only metal raceways would apply. It does not state that
 
Silvertaco81 said:
read email below, this is from the state of wisconsin........ i know they are wrong but need some back up..
Click to expand...
He is citing 300.22(C) but not reading the exception correctly. Nothing in 300.22(C) applies if you wire according to the exception.
 
Silvertaco81 said:
...drilled through 1 joist of cold air return, caulked both sides
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Is your NM perpendicular to the plenum? You say you only drilled through one joist.
Have you been to the Wisconsin web page with all of their FAQs to see if this has ever been given a formal interpretation?
 
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