Running Wire

Bocolo

Hello,
I am trying to understand what is the proper way to run wires from one floor to another. I understand fishing the wire, I understand drilling holes, I understand the 1 1/4 inch from surface clearance and the need for metal plates if this clearance is not met. What I do not understand is what code requires when you are running wire (i.e. NM 12/2) stapled to the side of 2x4 that leads to the floor above. If you staple the wire or wires and do not meet the 1 1/4" clearance, how do you protect the wire? Similarly to protecting the wire through bored holes with a metal plate. Also, do all holes going up inside the wall need to be fill with some special silicone or something similar? Thanks in advance for your time and replies.

DangerMouse

run it in conduit?
fill holes with fire block caulk.

DM

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Bocolo

Thanks for your time and reply. Running conduit would be a nightmare and is not really what I am looking for. I would assume I would run into derating issues which I would like to avoid. Thanks again.

dSilanskas

When you say staple to the 2x4 what do you really mean? Are you talking about in the basement the 2x4 that the studs are nailed too? Also if your fishing a wire in a wall you dont have to worry about meeting the 1 1/4" clearance. And if you want to fill the holes you can use expanding hole filler

Bocolo

Thanks for your time. I am trying to fish a couple of wires from the basement up to the third floor. I have found a path which takes me from the basement, up the bottom plate of the first floor, then go through a fire block in the middle of the wall up the bottom plate of the second floor, through another fire block in the middle of the wall and so on until I get to the ceiling of the second floor. I would have to bore holes through plates and fireblocks and understand code for doing that but I can't find anything related on what to do when you staple the wires to the studs going up along this path. Thanks again.

jbfan

You have to do nothing to them. Wires fished inside finished walls do not need to be stapled!

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Bocolo

First, let me express my gratitude to all who have taken some of their precious time to answer. Second, forgive my ignorance. I am trying to learn something new. I am starting to get the feeling that I have misinterpreted what I read on the code book. Where does stapling the wire every 4 1/2 feet and within 12" inches of every box come into play? Thanks again for all your help.

Scuba_Dave

That is when the walls are open - new construction usually or during a complete gut & renovation

Bocolo

Thanks again. This forum is very helpful. Just out of curiosity, how many wires can you run up a wall cavity between studs that are 16" on center? Let's say I ran 5 or 6 wires. Would it pose any danger to have these wires behind the entire height of such wall? Thanks.

J. V.

I would say as many as you need. I know of no code requirement or issue with running multiple cables in one stud bay.

No danger. The Nm cables are designed for this purpose. Concealed behind walls, ceilings and crawl spaces. Dry locations only.

DangerMouse

guess i misunderstood, sorry about that. i thought for some reason you couldn't staple to center of EXPOSED stud.
but don't forget, you still need fireblock caulking for any holes you make.

DM

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Bocolo

I understand the firestopping now. I think I misinterpreted the code (2005) where it stated that in both concealed and exposed spaces where wire was being run parallel to framing members the cable "shall" be supported. But, there is an exception for concealed work in finished buildings. Thanks for your help.