2 1/2 metal studs

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brody

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Is mc cable installation for outlets and switches acceptable practice in 2 1/2 metal studs construction? Nail plates would be an obvious necessity for horizontal runs and top plates. However I am unsure if it would be acceptable even with caddy stand off supports or colorado jims. An 1 1/4 clearance from the face of the stud would be pretty hard.
 

nickelec

Senior Member
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US
1¼ clearances aren't code the code says if you have less then 1¼ clearance then protection is required

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tom baker

First Chief Moderator & NEC Expert
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MC and metal studs is a very common installation practice. Use MC-AP cable from Southwire, it will save you 30% time on install and no redheads are required.
 

hbiss

EC, Westchester, New York NEC: 2014
Location
Hawthorne, New York NEC: 2014
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That would be 2x3" studding in lumber terms.

An 1 1/4 clearance from the face of the stud would be pretty hard.

How do you figure that? You have 2-1/2". Keep your cable in the center of the stud, that will give you the necessary 1-1/4". Run horizontally through the factory openings, you can use Colorado Jims for vertical runs.

-Hal
 

GoldDigger

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That would be 2x3" studding in lumber terms.



How do you figure that? You have 2-1/2". Keep your cable in the center of the stud, that will give you the necessary 1-1/4". Run horizontally through the factory openings, you can use Colorado Jims for vertical runs.

-Hal
As long as your cable has zero diameter that will work. But 2-1/2 minus 2 x 1-1/4 does not leave much room for wiring.

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Fred B

Senior Member
Location
Upstate, NY
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Electrician
My question is, (I haven't had much experience with Metal studs) what sort of protection plates are there for use with metal studs? The only ones I've actually seen or used have been for wood studs. On a 2x3 you definitely would need coverage.
 

infinity

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New Jersey
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The 1.25" rule does not apply to MC cable in metal studs. You can even run the cable through the holes in 1 5/8" metal stud holes without any protection.
 
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