Code question of day

[Adamjamma]

Today’s code question of the day was on the size of the blocker used to keep you from nailing into cables in a wall... I answered 1/8 th but the answer was smaller than that.. however, I have seen those power nailers go through even 1/8 th with ease...
1/16th is thinner than most of the take apart outlet boxes, so that means we can use those spare plates I always seem to have stacks of for the nail protectors then?

 

[infinity]

1/16" is the minimum unless it can meet exception #2 then it can be thinner.

300.4(A) Cables and Raceways Through Wood Members.
(1) Bored Holes. In both exposed and concealed locations,where a cable- or raceway-type wiring method is installed through bored holes in joists, rafters, or wood members,holes shall be bored so that the edge of the hole is not less than 32 mm (11⁄4 in.) from the nearest edge of the wood member. Where this distance cannot be maintained, the cable or raceway shall be protected from penetration by screws or nails by a steel plate(s) or bushing(s), at least 1.6 mm (1⁄16 in.) thick, and of appropriate length and width installed to cover the area of the wiring.
Exception No. 1: Steel plates shall not be required to protect rigid metal conduit, intermediate metal conduit,rigid nonmetallic conduit, or electrical metallic tubing.
Exception No. 2: A listed and marked steel plate less than 1.6 mm (1⁄16 in.) thick that provides equal or better protection against nail or screw penetration shall be permitted.

 

[Adamjamma]

So the leftover pieces from expandable handi boxes is fine then.. think they are around an 1/8th thick..lol..

 

[KnightPower]

I've used metal duct straping before. I'd say gangable box sides would deflect most fasteners.

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[Adamjamma]

I've used metal duct straping before. I'd say gangable box sides would deflect most fasteners.

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OK. Thank You very much.

 

[kwired]

You can put in a 1/2 thick plate, but if someone is determined enough and drills a hole first, they still can damage the cable you were trying to protect.

 

[norcal]

I've used metal duct straping before. I'd say gangable box sides would deflect most fasteners.

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The sheet metal used for hanging ducts would not protect anything, would not even slow down a nail.

 

[infinity]

The sheet metal used for hanging ducts would not protect anything, would not even slow down a nail.

Probably true, but if it's 1/16" thick or greater isn't it code complaint?

 

[gadfly56]

Probably true, but if it's 1/16" thick or greater isn't it code complaint?

Here's the "super" product. About 1/4 the required thickness.

 

[KnightPower]

I doubled it ::geesh::.. But like said compliant. This was after I ran out of real nail guards.

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[GoldDigger]

Here's the "super" product. About 1/4 the required thickness.

But you have to nail it in place.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

So the leftover pieces from expandable handi boxes is fine then.. think they are around an 1/8th thick..lol..

Yes, they are the same thickness as the box itself and the box is 1/16" as it permits the engagement of two threads of a 10-32 grounding screw.

 

[infinity]

But you have to nail it in place.

And you need 4 layers.

 

[readydave8]

1/16th is thinner than most of the take apart outlet boxes, so that means we can use those spare plates I always seem to have stacks of for the nail protectors then?

I use them for that

 

[norcal]

Probably true, but if it's 1/16" thick or greater isn't it code complaint?

The metal normally used for duct support is light gauge, there are always exceptions though.