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Thursday, March 8, 2018

Question:

Inspector in Brunswick county NC gave me a warning for not stapling nm cable 12" from the top plate as I come vertical down a wall says he will fail me next time on this. I looked @ art.334.30 and I see no such thing. Is there another code that makes reference to this?

Donny Thompson

A

Answer:

Hey Donny thanks for your question. Nonmetallic cable must be supported and secured at least every 4 1/2 feet as stated in 334.30. Those cables must also be supported and secured within 12 inches of cable entries into enclosures. Fastening the cable within 8 inches of a single gang box can be necessary if the exception to 314.17 (C) is used. The spacing in 300.4(D) and general rules in 300.11 must also be complied with but those rules do not require stapling NM cable within 12 inches of a top plate. Nicely ask the AHJ to provide the NEC reference for their position.

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