I want to add a 20 amp circuit on the other side of my basement using Romex 12/2 NM-B (yellow sheath). My 1954 house panel was upgraded to a 200amp Square D panel in 2013 by a certified electrician and passed inspection by my town.
My panel is located on the unfinished side of the basement (I have a ranch). I know on the unfinished part of my basement I have to run the wires through holes in perpendicular studs or along a main parallel stud. But when I get to my finished part of my basement above ceiling tiles can I staple the Romex wire to the studs instead of drilling holes? I will never see the wires and they will never be touched.
I see some work that electricians have done on both the unfinished side (through holes and along parallel beams) and the finished side (original wiring through holes and new work stapled from beam to beam).
I just want to do the work according to code AND wonder if I have any violations with the beam-to-beam stapling on the finished side that was done by certified electricians.

Thank you!

 

I live in New Jersey, USA

 

Not sure I comprehend the question. Crossing the studs or joist you drill holes, Running parallel to the joists or studs you staple to the side every 4 feet.

 

You don't have to. You could staple it on short side of the studs or joists. However, it will cause problem when you decide to finish the wall or ceiling later.
If you don't plan on finishing them or will use ceiling tiles, then you can just run outside of the wall or ceiling so long as it is not so low it can be damaged.
Just staple them every 4 1/2 ft or 12" from a junction box.


Yes you can. If it was finished with drywall, then you can even just run it in the ceiling without securing them.

 

Are there different codes when dealing with electrical wiring when a drop ceiling is below the wiring? I don't know the codes which is why I'm asking. I see romex wiring stapled from beam to beam. You wouldn't know it until you remove a tile. I'm not sure if I have violations or it's okay and I can do the same.

 

http://shop.iccsafe.org/media/wysiwy...232-sample.pdf

The code only states wires should be secured every 4 1/2 ft.

The hole needs to be at least 1 1/4" away from the edge of stud so that a nail or screw used to hang sheeting does not penetrate wires inside of the wall. However, when there will be no sheeting covering the ceiling or the wall, this becomes irrelevant.

 

Thank you! I was at a standstill with my running the wiring as there was no information on YouTube or on the web.

 

Since the wiring is above the dropped ceiling and not seen, is it okay to run the romex wire run at an angle toward where the new outlet is going to be instead of perpendicular to the beams? In my case wire entry from the unfinished part of my basement to the finished side is in the center of the basement. I need the outlet to be in the corner of the finished side.

 

Yes you can. But it is still nice to keep it reasonably neat.

 

I appreciate you getting back to me so quickly. Thank you again! Off to wiring i go