Can I run my wires under the joist (perpendicular to joist), rather than drilling
Holes in the joist, in an open ceiling basement (ceiling has no sheetrock).
The basement ceiling is 7.5 ft high, and it's insulated with fiberglass insulation)?
My concern is there are way too many holes in our existing joist that builder has done for
Plumbing, sewer and original electrical work.

If yes, I have the following questions:

1- how many wires can it be run at one place under and perpendicular to joist?

2- is there a limit on the current they will be carrying? For example,
Can the wires be carrying 12Amp, 50Amp, 100Amp, etc. and be
Several of them in one location (see question 3).

3- can I run wires in groups, and have several of these groups in different
Locations all over the basement ceiling under and perpendicular to joist?
This way it may look neat and it may save some wires too.

4- the joists are 16 inch centered, what should be the stapling pattern?
(For example, should it be staple every other joist, or staple every joist?)
I know code is every 4 feet.

Thank you in advance

Have you looked into romex?

Gordon - Electrical supplies including equipment parts and lighting - Gordon Electric Supply, Inc. (http://www.GordonElectricSupply.com)

I am so used to using romex (for residential) that I forget to mention that,
ALL of my wires I was going to use (and already bought them) was Romex.

Have you ever used wiremold? It's an attractive way of wiring basement without drilling holes.

Gordon - Electrical supplies including equipment parts and lighting - Gordon Electric Supply, Inc. (http://www.GordonElectricSupply.com)

Wiremold has nothing to do with the question, and it's pretty obvious that he's been using Romex from the beginning.

I think Molthan is just trying to advertise, rather than answering the question.

Ceilingfan, I totally agree and I think Moltham will disappear soon. ABS, you can bundle your cables together or staple them individually to the joists. They will not have any affect on each other.

ceilingfanrepair and ballengerb1 don't you think it would be a better solution to use wiremold, because it is much better looking than exposed romex?

In an unfinished basement? NO.

I am a little bothered that you list links back to your own company. The experts are here giving free help are never advertise our own services for hire or sale. Like Ceilingfan, no I would not use wire molding in an unfinished basement that will not have a ceiling.

Sorry

I use links all the time, when they are relevant to my answer. In this case, not only did the links seem irrelevant, so did the answers.