2 1/2 metal studs

Status
Not open for further replies.

brody

Member
Is mc cable installation for outlets and switches acceptable practice in 2 1/2 metal studs construction? Nail plates would be an obvious necessity for horizontal runs and top plates. However I am unsure if it would be acceptable even with caddy stand off supports or colorado jims. An 1 1/4 clearance from the face of the stud would be pretty hard.
 

nickelec

Senior Member
Location
US
1¼ clearances aren't code the code says if you have less then 1¼ clearance then protection is required

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk
 

tom baker

First Chief Moderator
Staff member
MC and metal studs is a very common installation practice. Use MC-AP cable from Southwire, it will save you 30% time on install and no redheads are required.
 

hbiss

EC, Westchester, New York NEC: 2014
Location
Hawthorne, New York NEC: 2014
Occupation
EC
That would be 2x3" studding in lumber terms.

An 1 1/4 clearance from the face of the stud would be pretty hard.

How do you figure that? You have 2-1/2". Keep your cable in the center of the stud, that will give you the necessary 1-1/4". Run horizontally through the factory openings, you can use Colorado Jims for vertical runs.

-Hal
 

GoldDigger

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Placerville, CA, USA
Occupation
Retired PV System Designer
That would be 2x3" studding in lumber terms.



How do you figure that? You have 2-1/2". Keep your cable in the center of the stud, that will give you the necessary 1-1/4". Run horizontally through the factory openings, you can use Colorado Jims for vertical runs.

-Hal
As long as your cable has zero diameter that will work. But 2-1/2 minus 2 x 1-1/4 does not leave much room for wiring.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk
 

Fred B

Senior Member
Location
Upstate, NY
Occupation
Electrician
My question is, (I haven't had much experience with Metal studs) what sort of protection plates are there for use with metal studs? The only ones I've actually seen or used have been for wood studs. On a 2x3 you definitely would need coverage.
 

infinity

Moderator
Staff member
Location
New Jersey
Occupation
Journeyman Electrician
The 1.25" rule does not apply to MC cable in metal studs. You can even run the cable through the holes in 1 5/8" metal stud holes without any protection.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top