On Tue, 03 May 2011 09:42:18 -0700, Gunner Asch
wrote:

On Tue, 3 May 2011 08:13:51 -0700 (PDT), RS at work
wrote:

My ex is in the process of buying a house. When I looked at the place
I noticed that the Romex cables coming from the main box are draped
over the tops of the ceiling joists in the garage (perpendicular to
them) with no support, nor any staples or attachment of any kind.

It was my understanding that when romex was run over the top of the
joists that they must put a 1X under the cables so they don't sag and
have staples to restrain them.

Anyone know if this is correct?

This hose is a foreclosure and the selling bank has alloted $1000 for
required repairs. The initial inspection by the lenders inspector
didn't note this in the report, but if the code does require the cable
to be supported I am thinking that this would be a good idea to get
this fixed before she inherits a problem.

Roger Shoaf

As an old alarm installer..this is generally what I recall seeing.
Seldom would the romex be supported by anything other than the rafters
in any house I ever crawled the attics in.

I do a lot of commerical electrical these days..and see that
occasionally in older office sections of shops as well.

Gunner
It IS required by code up here - not sure it that is NEC or Canada
(or Ontario) specific. In an attic with a ceiling below, the board may
not be required, but in basements and open rafter structures it is
(apparently to keep people from hanging things on the wire)