tie wire supports

[mthead]

tie wire supports

By CJ's I'm assuming you mean "colorado jims"?
Funny thing is -if I walk into a job and the BX or MC is secured using tie wires or cable ties or CJ's or BX or MC clamps at appropriately [in other words within the correct or at least approximately ]correct distance's from the box and is squared off[not running diagonaly from stud to stud because it was a friday and the boy's didn't want to open another reel of cable]-- well that sure was a run on sentence wasn't it--then I'm not going to bre too unhappy.
It's when nothing is secured or electric tape is the only method used to secure that my mind begins to drift to bad places.
we all know that electric tape is only good for use as a puck for a roller hockey game right?]

 

[frogneck77]

I would ask the inspector to show you anything in writing stating that tie wire is not an acceptable means of support. If he cannot provide documentation supporting his decision, call the state electrical inspector and ask them to provide documentation to suppoet their position. To most people it wouldnt be worth the time, but to me principle is a good cause. Sometimes it takes one electrician to remind the inspector that it is their responsibility to enforce the code, not interpret the code. The interpretation ultimatly lies with the state. BTW- just use CJ,s in the future

 

[peter]

I agree with Mr. Wire that tie wire is very strong. Perhaps if the wire was just looped around the stud, I could see a problem.
Someone mentioned drilling two holes for the tie wire. If you drill just one hole near [~1/2"] the prepunched hole in the steel stud, you'd already have your second hole.
What we do on the shores of the east Pacific is to install a sheet metal screw part way into the stud and then wrap a doubled piece of tie wire around the shank and then drive the screw the rest of the way in. For that matter, if it is a steel stud, then you can weave the MC cable in and out of those pre-punched holes.
Tie wire is designed to tie steel rebar [#5 is the raw material for 1/2" EMT, by the way] together. If it can hold during the stress of a concrete pour, it should be adequate to hold MC during drywallment.
Now for the picky code lawyer types-- "Type MC cable shall be supported and secured by staples, cable ties, straps, hangers, or similar fittings or other approved means designed and installed so as not to damage the cable."
Note the the Code uses the phrase "...or similar fittings...". Tie wire, like straps and staples, is made of steel. Like cable ties, it is tied around around the cable. Just because it isn't specifically manufactured for this particular purpose does not mean that it cannot adequately perform the function.
~Peter