NM staples

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nizak

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If a brand of NM staple doesn’t specify the number of cables you can put under a staple can it be as many as 3?

Example :
“For securing 14/3. 14/2. and 12/2 NM cables”

As opposed
 
The requirement only states that the NM cable be secured by staples or other methods that do not damage the cable. It doesn't even require that the staples be listed so it's up to the inspector to decide if two or three cables under a single staple is acceptable. IMO if you don't want to have that discussion after the staples are installed you can use staples that are actually listed for mulitple cables. I've used the SN-150B below which are listed for two cables.

 
I never staple more than two cables together due to bundling concerns. (I'm concerned the inspector will think it's bundling and make me redo it.) For three or more cables I use a stacker.

I also don't use regular metal staples because I'm concerned about accidentally shorting the conductors. This is something you would not notice until much later, possibly after the drywall is up. I always use staples with a plastic top or a plastic insulator. Paying the labor to locate one short would totally wipe out any savings from using cheap metal staples. (Probably years worth of savings.)
 
Coppersmith said:
I never staple more than two cables together due to bundling concerns. (I'm concerned the inspector will think it's bundling and make me redo it.) For three or more cables I use a stacker.

I also don't use regular metal staples because I'm concerned about accidentally shorting the conductors. This is something you would not notice until much later, possibly after the drywall is up. I always use staples with a plastic top or a plastic insulator. Paying the labor to locate one short would totally wipe out any savings from using cheap metal staples. (Probably years worth of savings.)
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First off, with 14-10 AWG conductors anyway, you need to have more than 9 current carrying conductors in said "bundle" before ampacity adjustments may make you increase conductor size.

Second, NEC doesn't require said staples to be listed, which generally the metal staples aren't but plastic body ones often are.

Third, some inspectors get some sort of a pleasure on picking on some this nonsense. Will want you to change what you did because the combination of cables you installed isn't included in the listing, yet you have a better overall installation than if you carelessly slammed some non listed metal staple over the same cables and possibly damaged the sheath or even conductors. (Need a wringing the neck emoji here).
 
Greentagger said:
Probably not if your inspector uses a tape measure.🙄
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Is that for me? Maybe
Here's a couple of pics to show what I mean.
I don't have any pics with 2x4s but it measures fine
 

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electrofelon said:
Although I agree Staples are not required to be listed, if they do provide instructions on the box as far as number of cables I think you are bound to it by 110.3 B
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Where does the nonsense end though? lots of listed things get used for something they are not listed for. Code specifically calls out things it requires to be listed also.

Using a piece of raceway as a support member of some sort - is that a violation? Yet buy similar constructed piece of general use tubing and that is fine? Bet this one seldom gets called but is comparable and just as stupid of a call IMO.
 
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