Secured within 12 inches of box.....

[richwaskowitz]

In reference to 334.40, is that 12 inches measured as the crow flies or along the cable? I have seen many times when the staple was no more than 12 inches from an outlet box but there was more than 12 inches of cable looped between the box and the staple. Sometimes WAY more than 12 inches.

 

[jumper]

I was taught that it was measured along the cable.