Open run over lowered ceiling?

[kbleau]

Working on the kitchen of a 1880 house. The original plaster ceiling was 9-feet. A newer drywall ceiling was built with 2X4s and perpendicular 1X3 strapping, both 16" OC, about a foot below the old ceiling. This leaves about 8 inches between the 2X4s and the old ceiling - plenty of room to run romex between the new recessed lights and three-way switches.

Bwtween the fixtures, I intend to clamp to the 2X4 near the first fixture, pull the romex taut over two or three 2X4s, then clamp to the 2X4 near the next fixture. Any code problems with that?

Many thanks for your help.

 

[haskindm]

If I understand correctly what you are doing, this would be considered "fishing cables". This is allowed by 334.30(B).

 

[celtic]

....pull the romex taut over two or three 2X4s, then clamp to the 2X4 near the next fixture. Any code problems with that?

Let's say - just for arguments sake - that it is NOT "fished"....
So we have a staple, 3 2x4's @16" OC, then another staple.
3 x 16" = 48" between staples.
334.30 says NM must be secured "at intervals not exceeding 1.4 m (4 1/2 ft) "...or at every 54" interval.

Looks code to me

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

I agree it sounds fine.

 

[noxx]

Completely legit, well within the definition of "fished" wire.

 

[roger]

Your electrician should have known this.

Roger

 

[LarryFine]

I picture this as an attic floor that can't be walked on, so it's okay to have the NM run over the framing.

 

[dlhoule]

I picture this as an attic floor that can't be walked on, so it's okay to have the NM run over the framing.

Larry, doesn't a floor require more than framing?

 

[LarryFine]

Not unless flooring is specified. I've been in plenty of attics with exposed framing and no or limited flooring.

 

[dlhoule]

Not unless flooring is specified. I've been in plenty of attics with exposed framing and no or limited flooring.

How is that for semantics? I wasn't questioning whether or not you need flooring to walk on something just your use of the word floor. There is no question in my mind that attics range from complete floors all the way to none whatsoever. IMO if it is subject to be walked on protect it.