Running Wire In Attic With Insulation

When you must deal with an attic space because you can t run the cable by simply pushing up the ceiling tiles there a few things to consider.

Running wire in attic with insulation.

Ultimately for type nm romex this is directly referenced in the 2011 nec 334 23 but only points you to comply with 320 23 type ac as does 330 23 type mc. If this meets code then i will be running attic wiring in this manner from now on. Whenever i do attic wiring i remove the insulation and staple it to the ceiling joist. Feed it up to the 3 by 5 inch hole at the top of the wall.

Holes need to be drilled into the frame and wires run throughout the walls. If the attic is inaccessible you have less a worry about protecting the wires than you would if it were a storage area. If you can run it across by stapling it to the rafters you can avoid the insulation thing. The following links will assist you with your electrical question.

I was also under the impression that if wiring is in an attic space that it may need to be derated because it can get very hot up there. A pull down attic ladder does not count. Yes this should be corrected and it would be good to have the wiring and all the circuit connections inspected as well. You must protect cables located within 6 of the attic access hole.

How id do it if you put your cables to the edge where the apex of the roof meet the ceiling so you basically end up with your wireing loom at the edge of your attic then clip your cables along the ceiling joists 50mm from the plaster board then its clear of insulation and if you need to lay a floor you can but do try to avoide drilling hole through the joists as you will not meet the requirements as youll be less than 50mm from each each edge if the ceiling joists are 75mm. When cutting through drywall from the interior of a room use a utility knife and cut carefully you don t want to drill through a hidden wire or the paper backing of the attic insulation. If the sites that you want to run wire to are on the outside of the house you should not need to drill a new hole. Trying to do this kind of work around insulation would provide needless obstacles for the electricians to work around.

Do not drill them through the joists or rafters. An attic that is accessible which is defined by the nec as having a permanently installed stair or ladder in place must have protection for any cables that run across the top of the attic floor joists or within 7 feet where they run across the face of rafters or studs. The attic wiring should be protected and secured to ceiling joists or other wood structural supports. Attics with permanent access stairs ladder.

In most cases wiring is not a job you can take on yourself. This video is.