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How far does a wire have to be from the face of a stud/joist?

How far does a wire have to be from the face of a stud/joist?


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Old 07-15-13, 04:50 PM
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How far does a wire have to be from the face of a stud/joist?

This is a relatively simple question, but I took a hiatus from elecitrical projects and apparently this piece of information I used to know took is still on a break.

When how far does a wire running through a joist/stud have to be from the face of a joist and, if a different distance, a stud without needing a nail guard?
 
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Old 07-15-13, 04:52 PM
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The wiring should be kept in the center of the stud.

Anything closer than the center and you should use a nail plate.
 
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Old 07-15-13, 05:06 PM
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I thought there was an actual required minimum distance on joists/studs?
 
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Old 07-15-13, 05:12 PM
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The actual distance is 1-1/4"
 
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Old 07-15-13, 07:16 PM
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2" min for holes in floor joists - just plain not allowed to be closer,
 
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Old 07-15-13, 07:52 PM
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Not according to the NEC.

From the structural issue the best place is centered top to bottom.
 
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Old 07-15-13, 08:10 PM
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Right - NEC doesn't care if the building falls down as long as it is not from an electrical fire. So just need a plate to protect NM cable from nails if less than 1 1/4"

It is building codes that limit where holes and notches go.
http://arch.umd.edu/Tech/Structural_..._Guide_A11.pdf
 
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Old 07-16-13, 07:28 AM
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It's not that the NEC doesn't care, it's a matter of needing to know multiple codes. The NEC clearly does not and never was intended to cover structural issues.
 
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Old 07-18-13, 05:33 PM
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I've seen where at studs ,where verticle one meets bottom how someone notched out a area in verticle stud ,for wire ,an put nail plate over it .all behind the drywall.does that wire have to get rerun in center of studs as spoke on ?
And what is limit of # of wires going through same stud hole,or isn't there one?
Thanks
 
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Old 07-18-13, 06:59 PM
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There is no posted amount of cables allowed thru a drilled hole but the wires need to fit comfortably.

I usually drill a 3/4" or 7/8" hole. Good for about three cables.
 
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Old 07-19-13, 05:52 AM
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I have seen some AHJs that don't allow more than one cable per hole. Just another reason to check your local codes.
 
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Old 07-19-13, 06:49 AM
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Derating factors start to kick in when too many cables are in one hole, especially if the wall is insulated.
 
 

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