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I am fresh out of cable staples and would rather not go all the way to Lowe's just to get a box. What are the implications of not fastening loose electrical wires to a stud? It's not like there's going to be that much vibration in my house.

Edit: This is what I am talking about.

wire clip

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3 Answers

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If you continue reading NEC 334.30 you'll come to subsection (B)...

334.30 Securing and Supporting Nonmetallic-sheathed cable shall be supported and secured by staples, cable ties, straps, hangers, or similar fittings designed and installed so as not to damage the cable, at intervals not exceeding 1.4 m (4 1⁄2 ft) and within 300 mm (12 in.) of every outlet box. junction box, cabinet, or fitting. Flat cables shall not be stapled on edge. Sections of cable protected from physical damage by raceway shall not be required to be secured within the raceway.

(A) Horizontal Runs Through Holes and Notches. In other than vertical runs, cables installed in accordance with 300.4 shall be considered to be supported and secured where such support does not exceed 1.4-m (4 1⁄2-ft) intervals and the nonmetallic-sheathed cable is securely fastened in place by an approved means within 300 mm (12 in.) of each box, cabinet, conduit body, or other nonmetallicsheathed cable termination.

FPN: See 314.17(C) for support where nonmetallic boxes are used

(B) Unsupported Cables. Nonmetallic-sheathed cable shall be permitted to be unsupported where the cable:

(1) Is fished between access points through concealed spaces in finished buildings or structures and supporting is impracticable.

(2) Is not more than 1.4 m (4 1 ⁄2 ft) from the last point of cable support to the point of connection to a luminaire or other piece of electrical equipment and the cable and point of connection are within an accessible ceiling

So if the structure is accessible, you must secure the cable. If you are fishing cable, you do not have to secure the cable. No trained mice with staplers required.

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up vote 11 down vote

Yes. It will not pass code without them.

NEC 334.30 and 334.17 Type NM (nonmetallic) cable shall be secured at intervals not exceeding 4.5 feet and within 12 inches of each box. When a single gang box 2-1/4” x 4” or smaller is used without a cable clamp, the cable shall be secured within 8” measured along the sheath.

Staples

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6  
what if you are fishing wire through a wall? – Steven Jan 22 '12 at 3:02
@Steven - I've never heard of an inspector calling that. I guess electricians will have to start training mice to staple wire if the inspectors start calling it;) – lqlarry Jan 22 '12 at 3:33
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@Steven see subsection (B)Unsupported Cables.(1) of NEC section 334.30. – Tester101♦ Jan 22 '12 at 18:24
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@Steven, part of the reason for fixing the cable is so it does not get damaged when the plaster board is fixed to the wall, or over the many weeks between "first fix" and finishing the all. – Walker Jan 22 '12 at 21:33
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Good to know, thanks Tester101 and Walker – Steven Jan 22 '12 at 21:45
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up vote 4 down vote

The biggest problem could be if the cable moves away from the stud and you drill into the wall and nick the cable...

Depending on where you are based there could be building code/regulation violations involved as well.

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It seems like the cable would be even more susceptible to piercing by a screw or nail if it's fastened tight and unable to move. – oscilatingcretin Jan 22 '12 at 0:31
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@oscilatingcretin - if it's fastened you know where it is so you can avoid it. If it's not fastened it could be anywhere. – ChrisF♦ Jan 22 '12 at 20:39
The answer is clear: Knob & Tube wiring. The conductors are separate :-) – Bryce Jun 19 '12 at 2:33

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