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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2
B
Junior Member
I removed a light fixture for painting and the cloth insulation on the old ungrounded BX was crumbling. I'd like to run new Romex from box to fixture and from fixture to wall switch, but how do I address the code issues like protecting and securing the cable if I'm just dropping it down inside a wall?
And do I just leave the old BX inside the walls since it's stapled to the studs?

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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,392
S
Member
you would need to 'fish' bettween given points, the difficulty of which is dependent on the type of construction.

you would also need to take the old BX completely out of the circuit to safely abandon it.

myself, i tie all conductors together so as to make energizing the abandonded
conductor(s) improbable.

others may forward different methodology

yrs
~S

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 33
C
Member
I had very good success rewiring my brother's house a few years back by tying the romex to the old BX and pulling it through. Evidently they didn't staple the BX very well when they built the place, but it made fishing the romex MUCH easier.

Rich

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2
B
Junior Member
the fishing is trivial; it's a straight shot down the wall to the switch from the attic.
I'm just wondering how I'm supposed to secure (staple) the Romex inside the wall, rather than letting is "float" in there. (It wouldn't really float if I didn't leave any slack.)
Code requires this, yes? But I can't imagine that everyone puts extra holes in their walls to staple new wires.
Unfortunately my old ungrounded BX is stapled pretty securely, so I can't get it out. I just clipped it above the switch box and where it drops down from the attic.

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,391
I
Moderator
NEC 2002 334.30(B)(1) NM (Romex) shall be permitted to be unsupported where the cable is fished between access points, where concealed in finished buildings or finished panels for prefabricated buildings and supporting is impracticable.

Bob

[This message has been edited by iwire (edited 02-23-2003).]


Bob Badger
Construction & Maintenance Electrician
Massachusetts
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,749
Member
I agree! I also wonder why the code does not include the correct identification of the cable being discussed here! the code should a -B everywhere that the NM, NMC, and NMS cable is mentioned in the code, and there are hundreds.

Another issue I have with the code panels!

They don't want to accept my proposals because it would create too much work for everyone who writes catalogs and other documents.

PS: If you have saved any of the old BX and can take some close up pictures, send them to me and I will post them here for us to see.


Joe Tedesco, NEC Consultant
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,691
S
Member
>>NEC 2002 334.30(B)(1) NM (Romex) shall be permitted to be unsupported where the cable is fished between access points,<<

Can the same thing be done if you're replacing old BX with new armored cable? Or does armored cable ALWAYS have to be supported regardless if it's being fished behind finished walls?

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
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Sven:
Yes, you can "fish" bx/mc into walls or the like, and not have to staple it as you would on an "open" wall.
John


John
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 67
C
Member
If I may ask:
Is it the intent of the CODE to allow fished wires (NM-B, MC, etc) unsupported because they are protected from damage by the finished walls, whereas, they are unprotected during construction in new walls?


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