do i have to nail bx or romex to studs in a renovation?

Question

my question isi am helping a freind renovate his office...we need to install smoke detectors and lights (6 of each) do i have to rip out the walls and staple the romex or bx or whatever i go with to the studs....or can i just fish them from the box up into the first floor ceiling and then wired them by cutting a small hole at each placement sight and not worry about stapling them on the studs and what not ...or can i run bx along the cieling and just clip it on the outside of the cieling....and if i put in a new switch can it be screwed to the outside of the wall or do i also have to cut open the wall for that and recess the box onto a stud?

Answer 1

Dude, you're in way over your head, but you can fish without stapling, you cannot run romex on the surface of sheetrock, and the switch can be on the surface, but the wire still needs to be protected, in the wall or in pipe. You can run MC or FMC on the surface.



I'd like to recommend some good reading material, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0877659656/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=undehomepowe-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0877659656



Edit: When I do work that I am not familiar with, like intrinsically safe or solar voltaic systems, I start by reading the relevant code section. I guessed you didn't have a code book because the NM, section 334 is only 2.5 pages long.



334.10(3) Uses Permitted...Cables shall be "concealed in walls.."

334.30(B)(1) Unsupported Cables..permitted where "fished between access points.."

334.15(B) Exposed Work Cable "shall be protected by RMC, IMC, EMT, SCH 80 PVC.."



2nd Edit: "Fished between access points" is in the paragraph titled "Unsupported Cable", seems pretty straight forward: "cable shall be permitted to be unsupported where the cable: (1) Is fished between access points through concealed spaces in finished buildings or structures and supporting is impracticable." Maybe your problem was just finding it, in the wiring materials sections xxx.10 will be "Uses Permitted", and xxx.30 will be "Securing and Supporting".



And to helpful about the supporting the box, look for an "old work box" http://www.amazon.com/Carlon-BH614R-Ceiling-Diameter-24-Pack/dp/B000LPTDNE/ref=sr_1_3?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1339277237&sr=1-3 , or for the switch http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HEKQMQ/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=undehomepowe-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000HEKQMQ



Couldn't find bx in my code book, do find AC in section 320, check 320.10 for uses permitted, and 320.30 for support.

Answer 2

Sorry Anthony, my issue is not with you asking this question. It's a reasonable one. My issue is with you calling yourself an electrician.



Any wire that is fished through a closed wall to a terminal point, can be left unsupported within the wall.



The terminal point(s) must be within an approved work box for a switch, outlet, combo, or junction. This work box must be attached to a stud or can be supported by the drywall, using the work box mounting ears.



As for the ceiling, your question is not clear. Typically, wiring is run in the attic, and is stapled to each joist. Running wiring on a ceiling interior is not standard practice and would require a PVC or metal conduit to house the open wiring, thereby protecting it.



If your wiring is on the first floor with a second floor above, you can either divert to the basement/crawlspace, go up to the attic, then down, or slit off a strip of ceiling drywall to route your wiring THROUGH the joists. The latter will require drywall repair, but will be the cleanest (shortest wire run), in the long run.



You really need to be careful about what you call yourself. An "electrician" is expected to know all facets of residential electrical systems, as well as the 2008/11 NEC. This is what people expect. Even though I rewired my house from each outlet, light, and switch, through a new service panel, meter box, and up to the service drop splice, I am far from being an electrician.

Answer 3

The code allows just about any type of raceway to be fished, any suface romex needs to be protected, and in a residence the PVC may be legal by NEC, but not by building code.



Good Greif dtstellw... you don't have to flame the guy just because he can't read, maybe he didn't know the real name for romex? This forum is full of people that are in over their heads, sometimes they only need a little kick in the seat to move the right direction.

Answer 4

Under Code, you can 'fish' armored cable into existing walls,

but what do you know about framing?

There will be 'firestops' between those wall studs, and getting

from wall to ceiling won't be easy either.

We're talking a LOT of 'cutting & patching

Word to the wise: Look up 'Wire-Mold'