- Location
- Windsor, CO NEC: 2017
- Occupation
- Service Manager
1.) NEC Section/Paragraph:
334.15(C) In Unfinished Basements. Where cable is run at angles with joists in unfinished basements, it shall be permissible to secure cables not smaller than two 6 AWG or three 8 AWG conductors directly to the lower edges of the joists. Smaller cables shall be run either through bored holes in joists or on running boards. NM cable used on a wall of an unfinished basement shall be permitted to be installed in a listed conduit or tubing. Conduit or tubing shall utilize a nonmetallic bushing or adapter at the point the cable enters the raceway. Metal conduit and tubings and metal outlet boxes shall be grounded.
2.) Proposal Recommends: [new text/revised text]
3.) Proposal:
334.15(C) In Unfinished Basements. Where cable is run at angles with joists in unfinished basements, it shall be permissible to secure cables not smaller than two 6 AWG or three 8 AWG conductors directly to the lower edges of the joists. Smaller cables shall be run through bored holes in joists. NM cable used on a wall of an unfinished basement shall be permitted to be installed in a listed conduit or tubing. Conduit or tubing shall utilize a nonmetallic bushing or adapter at the point the cable enters the raceway. Metal conduit and tubings and metal outlet boxes shall be grounded.
Exception: Smaller cables secured at intervals not exceeding 900 mm (3 ft) by staples, cable ties, straps, hangers, or similar fitting designed and installed so as to not damage the cable(s) shall be permitted to be secured to the lower edges of joists if all of the following conditions are met:
(a) The installation would be in line with ducts and/or plenums used for environmental air and within 50 mm (2 in) of ducts used for environmental air, or
(b) The installation would be in line with a structural member such as a steel I-Beam or laminate, and attached to or within 50 mm (2 in) of the structural member.
(c) Under the conditions of (a) or (b), a larger cable not smaller than two 6 AWG or three 8 AWG conductors shall be installed 25 mm (1 in) outside of the smaller cable bundle.
4.) Substantiation:
In applications currently requiring bored holes through joists, multiple holes are required resulting in unnecessary weakening in building structure, damage to plumbing/electrical/HVAC installations during construction, and spent labor. Allowing smaller cables to be run under these conditions would provide protection to these smaller cables by means of the larger cable run on the outside. If the intent of this code is to protect against tenant damage of cables by clothes hangers and similar activity, the larger cable to the outside would still provide this, as in existing code. In addition, a large percentage of unfinished basements are finished at a later date, and the provisions of this proposal would place cables in areas that are enclosed by standard practices.
In addition, there is confusion in the field by the intent of the phrase, "or on running boards," hence the deletion. With an exception providing a second option, this wording becomes redundant.
Gentlemen, commence with the rock-throwing.
334.15(C) In Unfinished Basements. Where cable is run at angles with joists in unfinished basements, it shall be permissible to secure cables not smaller than two 6 AWG or three 8 AWG conductors directly to the lower edges of the joists. Smaller cables shall be run either through bored holes in joists or on running boards. NM cable used on a wall of an unfinished basement shall be permitted to be installed in a listed conduit or tubing. Conduit or tubing shall utilize a nonmetallic bushing or adapter at the point the cable enters the raceway. Metal conduit and tubings and metal outlet boxes shall be grounded.
2.) Proposal Recommends: [new text/revised text]
3.) Proposal:
334.15(C) In Unfinished Basements. Where cable is run at angles with joists in unfinished basements, it shall be permissible to secure cables not smaller than two 6 AWG or three 8 AWG conductors directly to the lower edges of the joists. Smaller cables shall be run through bored holes in joists. NM cable used on a wall of an unfinished basement shall be permitted to be installed in a listed conduit or tubing. Conduit or tubing shall utilize a nonmetallic bushing or adapter at the point the cable enters the raceway. Metal conduit and tubings and metal outlet boxes shall be grounded.
Exception: Smaller cables secured at intervals not exceeding 900 mm (3 ft) by staples, cable ties, straps, hangers, or similar fitting designed and installed so as to not damage the cable(s) shall be permitted to be secured to the lower edges of joists if all of the following conditions are met:
(a) The installation would be in line with ducts and/or plenums used for environmental air and within 50 mm (2 in) of ducts used for environmental air, or
(b) The installation would be in line with a structural member such as a steel I-Beam or laminate, and attached to or within 50 mm (2 in) of the structural member.
(c) Under the conditions of (a) or (b), a larger cable not smaller than two 6 AWG or three 8 AWG conductors shall be installed 25 mm (1 in) outside of the smaller cable bundle.
4.) Substantiation:
In applications currently requiring bored holes through joists, multiple holes are required resulting in unnecessary weakening in building structure, damage to plumbing/electrical/HVAC installations during construction, and spent labor. Allowing smaller cables to be run under these conditions would provide protection to these smaller cables by means of the larger cable run on the outside. If the intent of this code is to protect against tenant damage of cables by clothes hangers and similar activity, the larger cable to the outside would still provide this, as in existing code. In addition, a large percentage of unfinished basements are finished at a later date, and the provisions of this proposal would place cables in areas that are enclosed by standard practices.
In addition, there is confusion in the field by the intent of the phrase, "or on running boards," hence the deletion. With an exception providing a second option, this wording becomes redundant.
Gentlemen, commence with the rock-throwing.