Drop Ceiling Wires

[Ron Hill]

What is the section in the code book that governs ceiling wires as supports and what color do they need to be designated?

 

[rcarroll]

300.11. Distinguished by color, tag, or other effective means.

 

[kwired]

NEC does not specify any particular identification method.

A local code may specify a certain color, or other method.

Just using a wire that is easily distinguisable from the ceiling wires is good enough for NEC. That could be different size, type, stranded, solid, coated, etc.

 

[LEO2854]

NEC does not specify any particular identification method.

A local code may specify a certain color, or other method.

Just using a wire that is easily distinguisable from the ceiling wires is good enough for NEC. That could be different size, type, stranded, solid, coated, etc.

300.11 Securing and Supporting.
(A) Secured in Place. Raceways, cable assemblies, boxes,
cabinets, and fittings shall be securely fastened in place.
Support wires that do not provide secure support shall not
be permitted as the sole support. Support wires and associated
fittings that provide secure support and that are installed
in addition to the ceiling grid support wires shall be
permitted as the sole support. Where independent support
wires are used, they shall be secured at both ends. Cables
and raceways shall not be supported by ceiling grids.
(1) Fire-Rated Assemblies. Wiring located within the cavity
of a fire-rated floor?ceiling or roof?ceiling assembly
shall not be secured to, or supported by, the ceiling assembly,
including the ceiling support wires. An independent
means of secure support shall be provided and shall be
permitted to be attached to the assembly. Where independent
support wires are used, they shall be distinguishable
by color, tagging, or other effective means from those that
are part of the fire-rated design.

 

[kwired]

300.11 Securing and Supporting.
(A) Secured in Place. Raceways, cable assemblies, boxes,
cabinets, and fittings shall be securely fastened in place.
Support wires that do not provide secure support shall not
be permitted as the sole support. Support wires and associated
fittings that provide secure support and that are installed
in addition to the ceiling grid support wires shall be
permitted as the sole support. Where independent support
wires are used, they shall be secured at both ends. Cables
and raceways shall not be supported by ceiling grids.
(1) Fire-Rated Assemblies. Wiring located within the cavity
of a fire-rated floor?ceiling or roof?ceiling assembly
shall not be secured to, or supported by, the ceiling assembly,
including the ceiling support wires. An independent
means of secure support shall be provided and shall be
permitted to be attached to the assembly. Where independent
support wires are used, they shall be distinguishable
by color, tagging, or other effective means from those that
are part of the fire-rated design.

Part 2 for non fire rated assemblies is nearly identical. "other effective means" leaves the possible methods wide open unless you have a local code that says what method you will use.