Inspector Said "1 hole, 1 cable, no exceptions"

patented

During an inspection yesterday, an annoying "issue" cropped up in my electrical work.

The main thing the inspector said was that for any hole drilled in a framing member (joist, stud..etc), that there can only be 1 cable in each hole regardless of the size of the hole.

As far as I can tell, this is NOT a code requirement, and the local rules don't have any amended sections indicated this to be required. Remedying this "problem" took me 11 hours yesterday, as I had to re-run almost every circuit, at least to some extent. Had I been aware of this "rule" I would have followed it, but as far as I can tell, no such rule actually exists in the NEC, and thus I had no way to be aware of it.

My main irritation stems from the fact that I intentionally drilled 1" holes so that I could easily fit 2-3 14/2 or 12/2 cables through each hole, and not put 1,000 holes in my framing. Instead, I have now "swiss-cheezed" my joists and studs so that all the cables can run through.

Can a licensed electrician chime in on this. This seemed like a pointless rule to follow, especially since I cannot seem to find any section of the code that supports this "1 hole, 1 cable" rule. Does such a rule exist in the 2008 NEC?

These are the types of issues that make people not want to pull permits to do work. I have no issue making my house meet code, but forcing a homeowner to make senseless changes is ridiculous. However, I reserve the right to call myself an idiot if an NEC rule exists that does indeed state that only 1 cable can pass through a hole in framing.

Anyway, I am hoping the re-inspection goes smooth today.

Rant over

Thanks.

Code05

Your inspector is nuts.

Ask him for this nonexistant code section when he shows up today.

patented

I wanted to, but at the risk of pissing him off and making him find some other issue, I just sucked it up.

Thanks for confirming my thoughts though.

electures

Unless it is a local requirement it is a bunch of bullshot!! Ask for the code section. Guys like this give us code officials a bad name.

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electures

And because of his incompetence, it cost you 11 hours of unnecessary work.

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bobelectric

That's the foggy "bundle" clause.

patented

After I "hopefully" get a pass today, I will ask him for the code section for the "1 hole, 1 cable" rule.

It probably does come down to the "bundle" section of the code, but if I am not mistaken, that talks about 5 cables in the same raceway and something about derating based on that, right?

Yep, that was 11 hours I will never get back. I truly have never been more irritated in my life.

jimmy21

When I was an apprentice, one journeyman I worked with bored 2" holes all the way down tgi joists to the panel. Nearly every circuit In the house was run through these holes. The inspector called it bundling and made us change it. Other than that I've never heard of it being an issue. Though i don't do much residential

Dave632

Indeed. A little Googling turns up the following questions (among others).

• Is it a bundle if the cables go from hole to hole without being tied together in between?
• Is it a bundle if the length is less than 24"?
• How much should the cables be derated?

Copper.org


Thread on another board


Thread on yet another board


For more, Google electrical wiring bundling code

frenchelectrican

To OP.,

That is plain nuts and ask that inspector to show that rule in writing.

I know there were nothing in NEC as far I know ditto with our French electrique codes as well.

Only gotcha is bundling but that not really used on that part at all.

There is two members which they posted above me they are correct on the answer there.

Merci,
Marc

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frenchelectrican

If ya talking more than 3 cables then oui it will affect but for two cable or less not really a moot point there.

Merci.
Marc

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stickboy1375

Since most framing is only 2x, it can never be considered bundled.... The only issue arises is when you are required to fire stop... then you could run into problems.

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patented

It was all passing through 2x lumber. It was a BS requirement, but I complied, and worked on rerouting a zillion wires rather than sleep.

Anyway, the good news is that my rough-in inspection passed today!

stickboy1375

I would have corrected the inspector then weaken the structure with a thousand holes...

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Speedy Petey

And this is how incompetent power hungry inspectors stay the way they are. They know this and capitalize on it.
Guys like this NEED to be called on this sh*t ALL the time. It is flat out unethical for them to request crap like this knowing folks will comply simply to not "rock the boat". I say capsize the boat!!

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