MC cable and wood framing - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

Rikki · 03-22-2007, 09:51 PM

Is it okay to use a staple, such as the Viking #125, to secure MC cable to wood framing? If not, what are some other easy, low-cost options for this application?

Thank you.

MDShunk · 03-22-2007, 10:22 PM

I dunno. I use staples on MC that's in a wood framed building. Sometimes drive straps on the larger sizes. Even though we call them "NM staples", are they only supposed to be used on NM cable? Dang, you ask hard questions.

Joe Momma · 03-23-2007, 04:25 AM

We've always and only used 3/8's straps on MC in any installation. This may be because we didn't have staples readily available, or perhaps because we were too dumb to see an easier way......?

raider1 · 03-23-2007, 10:09 AM

I have always used 3/8 straps also, but a staple would work just as well.

Chris

Speedy Petey · 03-23-2007, 12:22 PM

I use 9/16" staples for MC/AC in wood framing. Other than that I use BX(AC/MC) straps.

MDShunk · 03-23-2007, 05:01 PM

I was looking over some boxes of staples purposely today with this question in mind. The "regular" staples are marked on the box for NM cable only. The one's with long legs (9/16" and longer) are just marked "cable staples", so I guess that makes them okay for MC too. I've always used staples on MC when it's a wood framed building because it's quick and cheap. As with NM, you just don't need to bash them in like an idiot.

Joe Momma · 03-24-2007, 05:10 PM

Also instead of "wood framed"
Have you guys used the term "stick framed"?

MDShunk · 03-24-2007, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Momma

Also instead of "wood framed"
Have you guys used the term "stick framed"?

No, because a building can be of wood framed construction that wasn't stick framed. Stick framing is a process by which wood framing is utilized. Stick framing implies that a pile of lumber got delivered to the job, and it was assembled stick by stick. Wood framing can by of modular components, such as panelized walls, factory fabricated trusses, etc.

Joe Momma · 03-24-2007, 06:12 PM

Didn't know that MD, so by that logic if there are factory trusses the building was not stick framed?

I've always heard the term in reference to any wood framed structure, or at least so I thought, but I may have assumed.

brian john · 03-24-2007, 07:41 PM

Around here it is called stick built, and the carpenters I know will add with a trussed roof if trusses were utilized.
And while I am not sure they are necessarily better, carpenters feel they are better, much like electricians would about a prewired assembly.

But one thing I have picked up as I travel the country for projects is the terminology, what we call a 1900 box, I have heard referred to as a 4 Square, standard square (as compared to an 11-B square?). Different areas have different names such as mineralacs or stand offs.

Joe Momma · 03-24-2007, 07:55 PM

I've heard "stand offs" reffered to as 'back-straps' but not mineralacs, but I've never heard a 4s called a 1900 box

Just wait till that 'hart lock' guy reads this and gets his panty's in a bunch.

brian john · 03-24-2007, 08:18 PM

Joe do you call them 4 square or a 4S? What about 4 11/16 Square = 11B or 3" round=8B?

rod213 · 03-24-2007, 08:23 PM

We call 4 squares 4x4's. 4 11/16ths we call 4 11's.

How about strut. I've heard it called junior (7/8ths) and senior (1 5/8th's) strut. Normally we just call it by it's measurement though.

brian john · 03-24-2007, 08:55 PM

How about strut. I've heard it called junior (7/8ths) and senior (1 5/8th's) strut. Normally we just call it by it's measurement though.[/quote]

You mean Kindorf (no matter who makes it or the color.)

Joe Momma · 03-24-2007, 09:14 PM

I call it 4s here for typing's sake, because I'm sure everyone knows what I mean. But in the real world I'll say the words four square.

For strut we'll call it deep and shallow, but typically call it by it's measurement.

MDShunk · 03-24-2007, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian john

Joe do you call them 4 square or a 4S? What about 4 11/16 Square = 11B or 3" round=8B?

I call a 4" square box a "4 square". I call a 4-11/16" square box a "4-11/16th box". I have a guy that calls them "five by fives", and it drives me batty.

I always knew an 8B to be a 4-1/8" octagon box, but I just call them an "octagon box".

Mostly I order by the Steel City or Raco part number, so that I can get the exact case of boxes I wanted. SC and Raco part numbers cross over to whatever brand any supply house carries. Last time I ordered a few cases of 4 squares by name only, I got deep welded one's and they're almost exactly 3 times more expensive than 1-1/2" drawn boxes. That's what causes me to order by part number.

brian john · 03-24-2007, 10:19 PM

Here we call them 1900 or 1900 deep. I was once told Washington DC was the only area to call boxes by these numbers.

MDShunk · 03-24-2007, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian john

Here we call them 1900 or 1900 deep. I was once told Washington DC was the only area to call boxes by these numbers.

I don't know... I've known guys who call them 1900 boxes, but I'm not far at all from DC. I know I've heard guys at the supply house asking for them by that name. I don't know what "1900" refers to, because they're closer to 21.00 cubic inches, as memory serves. Might have been an old part number.

I hear the term "Gem box" a lot too, and I have no idea what that is. I'm not ashamed to admit it either.

I think it refers to a beveled corner metal wall box, but I'm not sure.

MDShunk · 03-25-2007, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Momma

Didn't know that MD, so by that logic if there are factory trusses the building was not stick framed?.

In that case, it would be a little of both. A stick framed building with factory built trusses.

Joe Momma · 03-25-2007, 12:12 AM

You've got me on the "gem box" name too.

Though for certain installations I do prefer the pressed boxes over the welded boxes.

Oh and 4 11/16 boxes are also called "4 11/16's" boxes here too