Does wire have to be in holes drilled through floor joist in basement or can they just be stapled?( Unfinished basement dirt floor)

If cables need to run perpendicular to the joists, they need to be attached to running boards, not directly to the joists.

Running cables through holes will give u more height if u ever want to finish off basement.

tk=what is purpose for running board? Doing this will make u lower ceiling height by at lest another 1 1/4 inches when putting up ceiling.

Chuck

Comes from, for example, Romex cable, 2008 edition of the NEC:

334.15 Exposed Work. In exposed work, except as provided in 300.11(A), cable shall be installed as specified in 334.15(A) through (C).

(C) In Unfinished Basements and Crawl Spaces. Where cable is run at angles with joists in unfinished basements and crawl spaces, it shall be permissible to secure cables not smaller than two 6 AWG or three 8 AWG conductors directly to the lower edges of the joists. Smaller cables shall be run either through bored holes in joists or on running boards.

See photo for an example of Romex cable stapled to running boards.

Tk

Thanks for come back. Even at my age try to learn something everyday.

Chuck