Electrical Codes - Anyone up to date?

[Kelemvor]

Local Building inspector is out until tomorrow so hoping maybe someone knows a general standard on this until I can talk to the guy tomorrow.

I live in Waukesha Cty, WI and in our basement, the electrical wiring that was run from the breaker box to the finished area of the basement was run across the ceiling of the basement. The wires were clipped to the bottom of the floor joists instead of being run THROUGH the floor joists.

I understand that clipping them to the bottom is not up to code as they could get hit by something. So I'm going to move them because we are having other electrical work done and I don't want to pay them to sit and drill a bunch of holes....

However, I'm not sure if there's any specifications on how they need to be done. Can I just drill a big hole and feed the wires through or are there criteria for how high the holes have to be, how many wires can go through each, etc.

Anyone know?

 

[Ornery]

How many do you have to do? You got a drill that will fit between joists? I really don't know the code, and it probably varies from one city to the next. You'd be safe running 1 wire through each 5/8" hole, and avoid weakening the joists by keeping the holes small. With a good sharp bit, you could punch 'em through quickly.

 

[Kelemvor]

The joists are huge (2x12?) and I figured I'd dril a 1" or so hole through the 15+ joists and run as many wires through there as I can fit. Of course I'll probably go pick up a forstner bit since spade bits suck.

And my drill almost fits but the holes would angle up slightly since I'd have to drill it from below.

Was hoping someone here might be an electrician and at least know what the "standard" is.

 

[Ornery]

I can honestly say I've never seen an electrician do more than one wire per hole. A sharp 5/8" spade drill will yam through like a hot knife through butter.

Edit: And, I meant how many wire runs to you have?

 

[Kelemvor]

There's 4 or 5 wires and about 15-20 joists they need to go through. There is existing wiring that has 2 or maybe 3 wires going through the one set of holes.

 

[Ornery]

Well, better safe than sorry I guess. 5 holes times 20 joists at 30 seconds per hole... 50 minutes. She's gonna be one hot drill motor!

 

[omco6]

Franky
shoot me a e-mail addy and I'll try to send you a copy of NEC 2002, it's about 65 megs so I don't know if it'll work
Bob

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: omco6
Franky
shoot me a e-mail addy and I'll try to send you a copy of NEC 2002, it's about 65 megs so I don't know if it'll work
Bob

No way I can get a 65 meg email. Can you host it anywhere for an hour or so until I get home from work? 🙂

 

[omco6]

I can try and put it on limewire if that would work

 

[Armitage]

Oo Oo ... Me To!

 

[Armitage]

But back to the original question. FWIW, IANAE (I Am Not An Electrician), but my rough-in wiring passed here in Colorado, and I did the sort of thing you are describing.

You can put as many wires in one hole as will fit ... at least within the range you're looking at. The confined space limitations, for conduit & such don't apply because the hole is only 1.5" long.

I think that's the end of what the electrical code has to say on the issue. Structural is a different matter.
When you drill the holes, they must be in the middle 1/3 of the beam. So avoid the top & bottom 4" of your 2x12. IIRC they should also be 2x beam depth away from the bearing points of the beam. So at least 24" away from where the joists are supported. On the size of the hole ... Don't recall, but a 1" will be fine in a 2x12. I'll check some of this stuff later tonight if somebody else doesn't get to it first.

And a forstner is n NOT what you want. You want a spade, or better, and auger bit. If your drill doesn't fit between the joists, get a long auger, and then your hole won't have as much angle to it.