bjp_ne_elec said:
The NM that's run down each side of the garage doors (for coach lights) is run on the surface of the group of four (4) studs that are all nailed together supporting the garage door header. This was the original installation - it's not down the side of the stud - it's right on the front surface - does that make sense. As there 2" x 4"'s are all nailed together, there is no space between them. This is why the NM is right on the front part of these support studs, and then the NM comes down to about 6', and exits out a hole to the coach light - this is duplicated on each side for the garage door.
This is easy, sort of: remove the outside boxes/fixtures temporarily and drill new holes from the outside in, starting in the existing outside hole, but at enough of an angle to emerge from the side, rather than the face, of this 4-stud column.
Alternative: drill an intersecting hole from the side of the interior studs, and re-fish the wire through as you would a stud corner. Of course, both of these methods should include new wall top-plate holes, too.
Now as it's all solid studding between the garage door and the front door leading in to the garage, the original NM is run exposed on the front face of the studs - but I'm hoping this doesn't have to be replaced. So with that, would NM being run down to a 6' height be considered - "subject to damage"? Not sure if this matters, but it's sitting back in somewhat protected by the runners of the garage door. I'm not trying to test the code, but I could understand if the NM was at a height were the car might hit it, but what do they figure, someones going to be taking swings that the walls.
Well, in this case, you'll need to drill a lo-o-o-o-ong intersecting hole from the top down. No? Okay, how about a 1/2" PVC LB and sleeve? You might have to enlarge the first inch of the existing holes to clear the LB hub.
As far as the octagon box - the majority of the garage ceiling is open - except for a piece of plywood that is close to the garage door opener. On the underside of the plywood is the receptacle that the garage door opener is plugged in to. Then about a foot from that is the octagon box that has a keyless light socket hanging from it - and it's loaded with four NM cables coming in to it - two (2) 14/2 and two 14/3 (3-ways). This is the box I'm trying to replace with a non-metallic, as I'm trying to extend one additional light socket out of this box - and as you can see, I'm concerned for box fill.
Let's see: you're already at 10 conductors, which Table 314.16A says requires a 2-1/8" deep octagon, so you're already non-compliant, were it new work. You certainly shouldn't add another cable.
While I can't imagine replacing a non-grounded octagon box with a non-grounded 4" sq. (by 2-1/8" deep for 15 #14's) box would be the worst thing in the world, I can see some people balking. Extension octagon box maybe?
As for the original question, I say that the screw-hole hubs do indeed qualify as meeting the requirement of keeping the wires and mounting screws apart from one another.
