wiring, through or over ceiling joist?
I’m going to blow cellulose in the attic of the detached garage. Before I do I will be adding a couple more boxes for lights. Can I run the wiring on top of the joist and staple or do they have to run through holes drilled in the joists? The ceiling joists are 2×4.
Adam
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over
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Over. Just make sure the cables are positioned to minimize the likelihood of damage from activities in the attic area. Generally just having the wires pushed out towards the eaves (where there's no room for someone to walk/crawl) will suffice. Another approach is to staple to the side of a 1x nailed across the top of the joists. Staple to the side of joists for runs parallel to the joists.
Over is fine, unless........
they are within 6' of an attic hatchway or folding stair - then must be on running board or bored through joist.
Stapled to side of joist is OK anywhere in attic.
Keep your own activities in the attic in mind - object is to not have the cables subject to foot traffic / damage.
Jim
Edited 10/12/2009 3:02 pm ET by JTC1
Thanks all,Once there's insulation up there, there won't be much room for anything. The pitch is about 4/12 and 8 feet from outside wall to the ridge, so there will only be about 2 feet from the top of the insulation to the ridge.