Running Wire In Attic Code

A pull down attic ladder does not count.

Running wire in attic code.

When romex is run across rafters in an open unfinished attic it is my position that a raceway of some kind 1x3 s or even 2x4 s should first be attached across the affected rafters perhaps 3 to 4 above the joists then the wiring be stapled to the raceway. Whenever i do attic wiring i remove the insulation and staple it to the ceiling joist. Hi all i have to run some romex in my attic. My attic is non accessible so i know for a fact that i must protect the romex with guard strips or bore holes 1 25 from the face of the joists when running perpendicular to the joists and when i run parallel i must staple the romex to the face of the joists.

Use a 2x4 as a running board and staple to the side of it. From my understanding all splicing of electrical wiring has to be contained in a junction box. Also it may not be as simple as stapling the wiring to the structural members. If this meets code then i will be running attic wiring in this manner from now on.

This will protect the wiring from being accidentally snagged. I cannot find this specifically in code so here is my question. If the attic is accessible by permanent stairs or ladder any cable running across the top of joists will have to be protected. If you will need to fish wiring through a wall drill a hole through the wood plate in the attic only.

There is exposed wiring and i have photos i can send. I am trying to figure out the code violation of having spliced electrical wiring in an attic put together with wire nuts. Concealed knob and tube wiring shall not be used in the following. I was also under the impression that if wiring is in an attic space that it may need to be derated because it can get very hot up there.

If the wires are within 7 of the attic access hole or along any attic flooring you ll need to protect the wiring from damage with furring strips along each side of the wire run. And use semi rigid wiring fish tape to pull your wiring down to your outlet location. I did a lot of reading about it but am confused about the best way to do it. When cutting through drywall from the interior of a room use a utility knife and cut carefully you don t want to drill through a hidden wire or the paper backing of the attic insulation.

Protecting the cable is as simple as installing substantial guard strips which can simply be a 1x2 furring strip on each side of the cable if there s no permanent stairs or ladder this protection only has to be provided to. Cable run across the top of joists. An attic that is accessible which is defined by the nec as having a permanently installed stair or ladder in place must have protection for any cables that run across the top of the attic floor joists or within 7 feet where they run across the face of rafters or studs. Methods of proper attic electrical wiring raul no this is not a standard practice and is most likely the result of improper installation of electrical attic wiring.