Fig. 1. Secured means “fastened” such as with a strap or tie wrap; supported means “held” such as with a hanger or run through a hole in a stud, joist, or rafter.

Stumped by the Code? NEC Requirements for MC Cable

Dec. 12, 2023

Answering your NEC questions

All questions and answers are based on the 2023 NEC.

Q: What are the requirements for securing and supporting MC cable?

A: The requirements for securing and supporting MC cable are found in Sec. 330.30.

(A) General. Type MC cable must be supported and secured by staples; cable ties listed and identified for securing and supporting; straps, hangers, or similar fittings; or other approved means designed and installed so the cable is not damaged (Fig. 1).

(B) Securing. Type MC cable with four or fewer conductors sized no larger than 10 AWG must be secured within 12 in. of every outlet box, junction box, cabinet, or fitting and at intervals not exceeding 6 ft (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2. Section 330.30(B) gives the requirements for securing type MC cable with four or fewer conductors sized no larger than 10 AWG. — **Fig. 2.** Section 330.30(B) gives the requirements for securing type MC cable with four or fewer conductors sized no larger than 10 AWG.

(C) Supporting. Type MC cable must be supported at intervals not exceeding 6 ft. Cables installed horizontally through wooden or metal framing members are considered secured and supported if such support does not exceed 6-ft intervals.

(D) Unsupported Cables. Type MC cable can be unsupported and unsecured where:

(1) Fished through concealed spaces in a finished building and support is impractical.

(2) Not more than 6 ft long from the last point of cable support to the point of connection to a luminaire or electrical equipment within an accessible ceiling. For the purposes of this section, Type MC cable fittings are permitted as a means of cable support.

(3) Not more than 3 ft from the last point where it is securely fastened to provide flexibility for equipment that requires movement after installation, or to connect equipment where flexibility is necessary to minimize the transmission of vibration from the equipment.

These materials are provided by Mike Holt Enterprises in Leesburg, Fla. To view Code training materials offered by this company, visit www.mikeholt.com/code.

About the Author

Mike Holt

Mike Holt is the owner of Mike Holt Enterprises (www.MikeHolt.com), one of the largest electrical publishers in the United States. He earned a master's degree in the Business Administration Program (MBA) from the University of Miami. He earned his reputation as a National Electrical Code (NEC) expert by working his way up through the electrical trade. Formally a construction editor for two different trade publications, Mike started his career as an apprentice electrician and eventually became a master electrician, an electrical inspector, a contractor, and an educator. Mike has taught more than 1,000 classes on 30 different electrical-related subjects — ranging from alarm installations to exam preparation and voltage drop calculations. He continues to produce seminars, videos, books, and online training for the trade as well as contribute monthly Code content to EC&M magazine.