Pole Barn

[guschash]

I'm wiring a pole barn and I wondering if I can run the MC cable between the poles (2x6's) and the metal sheathing. I thought I would set the cable on the cross board (2x4's) and cramp it down. Or do I need to drill through the 2x6's.

Gus

 

[kwired]

I'm wiring a pole barn and I wondering if I can run the MC cable between the poles (2x6's) and the metal sheathing. I thought I would set the cable on the cross board (2x4's) and cramp it down. Or do I need to drill through the 2x6's.

Gus

300.4(D):

(D) Cables and Raceways Parallel to Framing Members and Furring Strips. In both exposed and concealed locations, where a cable- or raceway-type wiring method is installed parallel to framing members, such as joists, rafters, or studs, or is installed parallel to furring strips, the cable or raceway shall be installed and supported so that the nearest outside surface of the cable or raceway is not less than 32 mm (1? in.) from the nearest edge of the framing member or furring strips where nails or screws are likely to penetrate. Where this distance cannot be maintained, the cable or raceway shall be protected from penetration by nails or screws by a steel plate, sleeve, or equivalent at least 1.6 mm ( in.) thick.

Read this and let us know what you think.

Exception 1 does allow certain raceways to be run here.

 

[guschash]

i have read 300.4 many times. Looking at 300.4(D) the use of furring strips. They're putting paneling up on the inside walls, there will be 2x4's space out to nail the panel to. Could I just run my MC cable along the front studs and just keep back 1 1/4 from the 2x4 framing. Maybe put a nail over it at the studs. Workbook shows adjacent to furring drips in a wood frame structure but it looks like a basement. Is method ok for a wall.
gus

 

[Little Bill]

i have read 300.4 many times. Looking at 300.4(D) the use of furring strips. They're putting paneling up on the inside walls, there will be 2x4's space out to nail the panel to. Could I just run my MC cable along the front studs and just keep back 1 1/4 from the 2x4 framing. Maybe put a nail over it at the studs. Workbook shows adjacent to furring drips in a wood frame structure but it looks like a basement. Is method ok for a wall.
gus

If you look at the quoted code text it mentions studs, so, yes it would include walls.

 

[suemarkp]

A 2x6 pole sounds rather weenie. Do you mean 6x6? I think the only way out is "likely to be penetrated by nail or screw". I'm not sure how often people put a screw through the outside of pole barn metal siding. When you do, you have an entire 2x4 or 2x6 laid flat to hit (and usually an existing row of screws on the outside you can follow to see where the center of that member is).

To do it right will most likely require conduit, and that is a much more costly approach.

I have a pole barn the NM cables are run on the top and bottom of the horizontal 2x6's (between pole and metal siding). On the inside, things are exposed so it should be easy to avoid hitting it with a nail. Not sure if it was ever inspected. I'm afraid how it would be ruled if it was. There's also the 15 minute fire covering requirement for NM cabling, but I think that goes away in 2014 if on residential property. Don't think that applies to MC cable. Unfortunately, MC and NM get pretty much the same install rules for nail strike and physical damage protection.

 

[kwired]

A 2x6 pole sounds rather weenie. Do you mean 6x6? I think the only way out is "likely to be penetrated by nail or screw". I'm not sure how often people put a screw through the outside of pole barn metal siding. When you do, you have an entire 2x4 or 2x6 laid flat to hit (and usually an existing row of screws on the outside you can follow to see where the center of that member is).

To do it right will most likely require conduit, and that is a much more costly approach.

I have a pole barn the NM cables are run on the top and bottom of the horizontal 2x6's (between pole and metal siding). On the inside, things are exposed so it should be easy to avoid hitting it with a nail. Not sure if it was ever inspected. I'm afraid how it would be ruled if it was. There's also the 15 minute fire covering requirement for NM cabling, but I think that goes away in 2014 if on residential property. Don't think that applies to MC cable. Unfortunately, MC and NM get pretty much the same install rules for nail strike and physical damage protection.

I'd say if you enforce 300.4 strictly, the answer is no. Those horizontal boards are there for the purpose of attaching the sheet metal siding, it is expected nails or screws will be driven into those members. That said, the sheet metal siding is always installed before I ever get there to do any wiring and there is no longer much risk of additional screws being installed from outside, but code still says what it says.

I personally do not like the exceptions to 300.4 that allow RNMC, and EMT in the "no wiring zone". Nails and screws sometimes go right through either one of those. RMC or IMC I have no problem with though.

 

[guschash]

Well it going to be 1' EMT around walls for travelers and MC cable around walls for receptacles. Barn poles are 6x6 , there will be 2x4's to nail paneling to. I plan on stay in the middle of these 2x4's and using nail plates. I don't know how nail plates will work over the 1' emt but I'll work something out. I'm thinking of using 12/4NM cable to barn ceiling for lights. I have four rows of 6 in a row. 240v lights, with control relay. Any more thoughts on this. I appreciate the fed back.

gus

 

[kwired]

Well it going to be 1' EMT around walls for travelers and MC cable around walls for receptacles. Barn poles are 6x6 , there will be 2x4's to nail paneling to. I plan on stay in the middle of these 2x4's and using nail plates. I don't know how nail plates will work over the 1' emt but I'll work something out. I'm thinking of using 12/4NM cable to barn ceiling for lights. I have four rows of 6 in a row. 240v lights, with control relay. Any more thoughts on this. I appreciate the fed back.

gus

Where are you putting the nail plates? Most of the full length of your cables needs plated from what I read:?