wwhitney
Senior Member
- Location
- Berkeley, CA
- Occupation
- Retired
Change:
300.6(D) Cables and RacewaysParallel Running Adjacent to Framing Members and Furring Strips.
In both exposed and concealed locations, where a cable- or raceway-type wiring method is installedparallel running adjacent to framing members, such as joists, rafters, or studs, or is installed parallel to furring strips, the cable or raceway shall be installed and supported so that the nearest outside surface of the cable or raceway is not less than 32 mm (1 1⁄4 in.) from the nearest edge of the framing member or furring strips where nails or screws are likely to penetrate. Where this distance cannot be maintained, the cable or raceway shall be protected from penetration by nails or screws by a steel plate, sleeve, or equivalent at least 1.6 mm (1⁄16 in.) thick.
. . .
Substantiation:
In the response to Public Input No. 1027-NFPA 70-2023 for the 2026 NEC First Draft, the committee wrote:
"Nails or screws are likely to penetrate cable or raceways within 6 inches either above or below a device box if the 1 ¼” spacing from the nearest edge of the framing member is not maintained. Where this distance cannot be maintained, the cable or raceway shall be protected from penetration by nails or screws by a steel plate, sleeve, or equivalent at least 1.6 mm (1 ⁄16 in.) thick."
However, in this region in the vicinity of a box installed on a framing member, a cable is usually not running parallel to the framing member, as it jogs diagonally away from the framing member towards the opening in the box some distance away from the framing member. So a strict reading of the word "parallel" in 300.6(D) would lead to the conclusion that no protection is required for such diagonally run cable.
Thus if the committee wishes for it to be clearer that such protection is required in the vicinity of a box under the conditions specified in the quote, I suggest changing the term "parallel to" to "running adjacent to". This term was chosen over just "adjacent to" to exclude the case of cables running perpendicular to framing members.
300.6(D) Cables and Raceways
In both exposed and concealed locations, where a cable- or raceway-type wiring method is installed
. . .
Substantiation:
In the response to Public Input No. 1027-NFPA 70-2023 for the 2026 NEC First Draft, the committee wrote:
"Nails or screws are likely to penetrate cable or raceways within 6 inches either above or below a device box if the 1 ¼” spacing from the nearest edge of the framing member is not maintained. Where this distance cannot be maintained, the cable or raceway shall be protected from penetration by nails or screws by a steel plate, sleeve, or equivalent at least 1.6 mm (1 ⁄16 in.) thick."
However, in this region in the vicinity of a box installed on a framing member, a cable is usually not running parallel to the framing member, as it jogs diagonally away from the framing member towards the opening in the box some distance away from the framing member. So a strict reading of the word "parallel" in 300.6(D) would lead to the conclusion that no protection is required for such diagonally run cable.
Thus if the committee wishes for it to be clearer that such protection is required in the vicinity of a box under the conditions specified in the quote, I suggest changing the term "parallel to" to "running adjacent to". This term was chosen over just "adjacent to" to exclude the case of cables running perpendicular to framing members.