Secured v Supported

[690David]

Are these terms defined within the NEC? Both are used, but I cannot find any definitions.
What are the similarities and differences? e.g. 392.30, 690.31(C)(2)

Is supported referring to vertical support and secured referring to the horizontal direction?

 

[Carultch]

Are these terms defined within the NEC? Both are used, but I cannot find any definitions.
What are the similarities and differences? e.g. 392.30, 690.31(C)(2)

Is supported referring to vertical support and secured referring to the horizontal direction?

The NEC doesn't have a formal definition, so it means what you think it means, when you use these terms in ordinary use.

Support means constrain against its weight.
Secure means constrain against any force in any direction.

For instance, a cable is supported by the rungs of a cable tray, but it is free to move upwards if someone picked them up. And it is free to shift along its length or position within the tray width, and sag between rungs. Securing the cable constrains against this.

 

[Little Bill]

If you give your wife a chair to sit in she would be supported by the chair. If you tie her to the chair, she would be both supported and secure. If the reason was to keep her from shopping, you would be further forced to support her when she files for divorce!:lol:


Look at 334.30 and see if that helps. Here is part of that:


334.30 Securing and Supporting. Nonmetallic-sheathed
cable shall be supported and secured by staples, cable ties,
straps, hangers, or similar fittings designed and installed so
as not to damage the cable, at intervals not exceeding 1.4 m
(41⁄2 ft) and within 300 mm (12 in.) of every outlet box, junction box, cabinet, or fitting. Flat cables shall not be
stapled on edge.
Sections of cable protected from physical damage by
raceway shall not be required to be secured within the
raceway.
(A) Horizontal Runs Through Holes and Notches. In
other than vertical runs, cables installed in accordance with
300.4 shall be considered to be supported and secured
where such support does not exceed 1.4-m (41⁄2-ft) intervals
and the nonmetallic-sheathed cable is securely fastened in
place by an approved means within 300 mm (12 in.) of
each box, cabinet, conduit body, or other nonmetallic sheathed
cable termination.

 

[Smart $]

If you give your wife a chair to sit in she would be supported by the chair. If you tie her to the chair, she would be both supported and secure. If the reason was to keep her from shopping, you would be further forced to support her when she files for divorce!:lol:
...

I like your analogy. :thumbsup:

 

[690David]

Thanks for the response.
Now I know when to ask her to sit, and when to tie her down....
I mean when to support and when to secure her!
Appreciate the info and the humor!

If you give your wife a chair to sit in she would be supported by the chair. If you tie her to the chair, she would be both supported and secure. If the reason was to keep her from shopping, you would be further forced to support her when she files for divorce!:lol:


Look at 334.30 and see if that helps. Here is part of that:


334.30 Securing and Supporting. Nonmetallic-sheathed
cable shall be supported and secured by staples, cable ties,
straps, hangers, or similar fittings designed and installed so
as not to damage the cable, at intervals not exceeding 1.4 m
(41⁄2 ft) and within 300 mm (12 in.) of every outlet box, junction box, cabinet, or fitting. Flat cables shall not be
stapled on edge.
Sections of cable protected from physical damage by
raceway shall not be required to be secured within the
raceway.
(A) Horizontal Runs Through Holes and Notches. In
other than vertical runs, cables installed in accordance with
300.4 shall be considered to be supported and secured
where such support does not exceed 1.4-m (41⁄2-ft) intervals
and the nonmetallic-sheathed cable is securely fastened in
place by an approved means within 300 mm (12 in.) of
each box, cabinet, conduit body, or other nonmetallic sheathed
cable termination.