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sumpssuck · May 14, 2009, 11:32 AM

We have a basement with a finished wall. The finished wall is about 8" from the basement cement wall. So there's a "crawl" space all the way behind the wall. I want to fish/run a wire behind that wall. Speaking in terms of NEC Code, does the wire have to be fastened to the studs (which would be impossible given how narrow the crawl space is), or can the wire just run along the floor?

Ty

This is in NY State.

tkrussell · May 14, 2009, 12:13 PM

Good question.

This can be a sticky subject. I am assuming the cable will be NM-B , AKA Romex.

NM-B is only rated for dry locations. It can also be fished in voids behind wall finishes. One would think laying on the floor would be OK.

If this cable happens to be for the sump pump you mentioned in another posts, ironic, as this leads me to believe that at times your basement floor is not always a dry location.

Simple solution would be to run UF cable. Looks like Romex, but it is rated for wet locations, and can be direct buried. If you use UF cable you won't have any problems.

sumpssuck · May 14, 2009, 12:33 PM

The UF wire seems much more expensive. How about if I suspend the wire off the floor by stapling both ends to the back side of the studs? Code acceptable? Only a short portion needs to run on the floor, then I'll have to travel it vertically to the ceiling joists.

Yes, it's for the sump pump. I was planing on using 14/2 NM-B romex, which is what most of the wires in the basement are laid with. Yeah, for some reason that thread vanished, don't know if the mod deleted it for some reason.

tkrussell · May 14, 2009, 12:37 PM

If you support the cable by straps or staples at both ends, you now need to support the cable every 4.5 feet the entire run.

The weight of the cable on two staples one at each end will damage the sheathing.

Running through the ceiling is the best.

sumpssuck · May 14, 2009, 01:10 PM

Unfortunately, the crawl space is too narrow to reach the ceiling.

So you think laying across the floor would be fine? I could then staple both ends to the bottom plate so the wire isn't just flopping around back there.

The other idea I had is that there's some lengths of lumber in the basement, maybe I could assemble a rail that can be laid across the floor with the wire stapled to it. At least the wire will be 1-2" off the floor then. Then nail the lumber to the bottom plate.

tkrussell · May 14, 2009, 01:18 PM

This:

Originally Posted by sumpssuck

The other idea I had is that there's some lengths of lumber in the basement, maybe I could assemble a rail that can be laid across the floor with the wire stapled to it. At least the wire will be 1-2" off the floor then. Then nail the lumber to the bottom plate.

Sounds like a good idea, as long as the water level does not get that high if the pump fails.

ohb0b · May 15, 2009, 02:22 AM

Something inside me cringes at the thought of fishing a cable behind a wall and just laying it on the floor, while it is probably code compliant*, I get the heebie-jeebies just thinking about it. I'm have a picture of rats gnawing at it.

Go with UF cable, and staple it to the top of a board, then nail the board to the studs for a neater installation.

Another alternative would to be installing it in a 3/4 conduit.

* My experience with inspectors is if there is any possible way of supporting a cable, they will want to see it. They will allow fishing only if there is no other way to do it. "Neat and workmanlike manner" when they can't think of anything else to red tag the job.