ECN Electrical Forum - Discussion Forums for Electricians, Inspectors and Related Professionals
ECN Shout Chat
ShoutChat
Recent Posts
Increasing demand factors in residential
by gfretwell - 03/28/24 12:43 AM
Portable generator question
by Steve Miller - 03/19/24 08:50 PM
Do we need grounding?
by NORCAL - 03/19/24 05:11 PM
240V only in a home and NEC?
by dsk - 03/19/24 06:33 AM
Cordless Tools: The Obvious Question
by renosteinke - 03/14/24 08:05 PM
New in the Gallery:
This is a new one
This is a new one
by timmp, September 24
Few pics I found
Few pics I found
by timmp, August 15
Who's Online Now
0 members (), 255 guests, and 16 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
#8464 03/22/02 10:06 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 507
G
Member
The Lowes thread brought up the subject of romex staples.

I was suprised that insulated staples are required in much of the country. Here in Nebraska we are allowed to use regular staples.

The biggest problem I have seen as a result of uninsulated staples was a house that was almost fully roughed in when it was hit by lightening. Over much of the house the romex jacket was burned brown at each staple. The jacket wasn't ruptured, but there was evidence of heat build-up.

We ended up tearing it all out and starting over. [Linked Image]

GJ

#8465 03/22/02 10:31 PM
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 440
Likes: 3
Member
Junkie,
Do you think that the evidence of "heat build up" was caused by unisulated staples, or was it possibly some other reason?
The trouble I see with uninsulated staples is that people tend to nail them in so hard that they break the jacket, and insulation of the NM cable.

Staplogical Regards,
Doc


The Watt Doctor
Altura Cogen
Channelview, TX
#8466 03/22/02 11:02 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 507
G
Member
I think that the lightening strike caused the steel staples to heat up considerably. I don't know what effect an insulated staple would have, although my first inclination is that the problem would have been reduced. Maybe Scott or others could explain what happened.

"The trouble I see with uninsulated staples is that people tend to nail them in so hard that they break the jacket, "

This never happens to us because our staples are installed by skilled craftsmen. [Linked Image]

"Staplogical" ?........I think that antibiotics can clear that up for you. [Linked Image]

GJ


[This message has been edited by golf junkie (edited 03-22-2002).]

[This message has been edited by golf junkie (edited 03-22-2002).]

#8467 03/22/02 11:19 PM
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 440
Likes: 3
Member
This never happens to us because our staples are installed by skilled craftsmen. OK, OK, OK.......I think my jacket just got broken, but thank goodness my insulation is still intact. [Linked Image]
Staplological, Wattological, Home Depotological.....I can't explain it...ur...got shocked to much as an apprentice.

Wattological Regards,
Doc
Director of Wattology,
Electric University


The Watt Doctor
Altura Cogen
Channelview, TX
#8468 03/22/02 11:20 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 507
G
Member
FWIW,
The burned jacket was not the only problem. There were a few areas where the romex was vaporized leaving only a burn mark on the stud. In other areas the jacket was split open and the inside of the romex was burned, similar to what you find when lightening stikes U/G wiring.

Luckily, the place didn't burn down. And insurance paid for the rework....so it was no loss on our part.

GJ

#8469 03/23/02 12:10 AM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,236
Likes: 1
Member
After a stint in Wisconsin where metal staples are apparently forbidden, I got used to, and are rather fond of the plastic cable straps, the ones with two nails and a heavy NM strap between them...

I special order them, and with Joe Musser, we're the only EC's around here that use them. They drive easier, with less finger strikes, look neater, and at least seem safer. Are harder to "over-drive" them. No rust stains over time either.

Oh, Watt Doc, your salutations always make me chuckle...

[This message has been edited by sparky66wv (edited 03-22-2002).]


-Virgil
Residential/Commercial Inspector
5 Star Inspections
Member IAEI
#8470 03/23/02 09:18 AM
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,044
Tom Offline
Member
I guess that since I started out using plain staples that I'm set in my ways. As is usual on many of these materials & methods issues, it is a question of workmanship & paying attention to what you're doing.

I am thinking of buying one of those new staple guns that shoots insulated staples, for the convenience & lack of impact on my sore hands, not because they're insulated. I tried one out & I'm impressed, I was afraid to ask what it cost, maybe I'll get it as a Xmas gift.


Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example.

Link Copied to Clipboard
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5