Abandoning Residential NM - Code Ref?

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Bob NH

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I can't find any code reference that applies to abandoning and/or removal of NM cable that is enclosed in wall and ceiling spaces, and the requirements for terminating and/or identifying any abandoned NM in the various constructions where NM may be used.

Can someone point me to any code citations and describe acceptable practices for leaving it in place?
 
I don't believe there are any NEC requirements that you have to concern yourself with this issue.
 
stickboy1375 said:
I usually splice all the conductors together shorting it out then tag it, this way it hopefully won't get energized in the future...
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I will go off the deep end and say, "Would that be a violation of 110.7?"
 
If the romex is not being used, it is not part of the electrical system; it is just trash left in the wall. Since it is not part of any electrical system, it is not under the purvue of the code.

LV cables that are abandonded are not part of any electrical system, but are for some reason included in the NEC. They are req'd to be removed. I feel that code belongs in the builiding codes, instead of the NEC.

I agree bundles of LV cables can be a spread of smoke issue, I just don't think it is proper to place it in the NEC. It is more applicable to building/fire codes. Just like how smoke detectors aren't in the NEC, but affect electricians (who else wires them?).

What with the price of copper, I guess the code making panels just figure abandonded wire larger than LV cables never has a hard time being left behind! Now if copper hits $0.20/lb, the issue may be more urgent!
 
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After rerenting office space 2,3,4 times, and each time a new 'office' system

was installed by the new tenant,if all the previous cabling was just left lying

above the grid, you soon would have non-removable tiles!!

Not to mention the toxic smoke if a fire broke out.
 
benaround said:
you soon would have non-removable tiles!!
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There is already an NEC rule prohibiting that. :)

Not to mention the toxic smoke if a fire broke out.
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IMO It won't be noticed as the tenants will have long since died from the toxic smoke released from the carpet, the furniture and the PCs that those cables served.


All I am pointing out is that there are a lot more sources of toxic smoke being ignored in a typical office environment before we should be worried about some data cabling above the ceiling.

JMO, Bob
 
Bob NH said:
I can't find any code reference that applies to abandoning and/or removal of NM cable that is enclosed in wall and ceiling spaces, and the requirements for terminating and/or identifying any abandoned NM in the various constructions where NM may be used.
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I believe there are more arguments against it, than for it.
1) Poor workmanship NEC 110.12
2) Unclosed openings NEC 110.12(A), If wirenuts can't close NM, removal seems unavoidable.
3) To the extent NM could be found in cellular floor raceways, abandonment is specifically prohibited. NEC 374.7
 
iwire said:
Re: abandoned NM cable & NEC 110.12 & (A)
You must be joking around?
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I used that referenced last month. The case involved abandoned 14-2 NM in 1/2" Flex, that was punched thru a garage from outside, with the unclosed flex & exposed NM conductors dangling within inches of running water at the laundry sink.

If it was just NM, with the end taped off and stapled down, I would not have tried to fly with that, unless of course it came from a cellular floor raceway, NEC 374.7
 
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