My question is about stapling wire. I came up short on a 12/2 romex run so I cannot staple it to the stud where the outlet box is. If I sister a short 2×4 to the stud, that will give me just enough slack to staple the romex. Would an inspector have a problem with this?
Wiring – add a framing block along a cable to meet stapling code requirements
wiring
Related Solutions
I would run up to the attic, over, and down. Unless you have basement access, it's the only way you'll do this without cutting up the wall. (I also value the absence of cords across my walls.)
- Carefully disconnect all wires in one box, removing the outlet and all nuts. Take photos or make notes if you think you'll need them later.
- Depending on the box type, remove it by cutting the nails with a small saw. A hacksaw blade in a Vice Grip plier can be useful. If it's a brown fiber box you can break it up with a plier. Remove the box from the wall completely while taking care to not damage your drywall. A couple layers of painter's tape around the opening are a good idea.
- From the attic, drill through the double top plate in the same stud bay as the box.
- Drop a new 12/2 cable down to the box opening, ideally in front of the insulation but behind the vapor barrier. An assistant is helpful here.
- Cut a new hole behind your tv, sized for a remodeler (old work) box. Double check stud locations first. You don't want to have to notch a stud. If you mess up there, a sharp 1" spade bit will make quick work of the stud. Be sure to consider your tv mount location as well.
- Drill through the top plates in that stud bay as well, and drop other end of the cable down.
- Install remodeler boxes at both locations and install the outlets. Be sure to use a deeper box at the original location as it'll have many connections.
Be prepared to do some sweating and swearing, but for the aesthetically-minded homeowner it's worth it to have completely clean walls around a hanging tv panel.
Someone cheated pretty bad here. They probably busted the hole in the wall, fished the line, and then it looks like they used the ring for mounting the fixture to the box to just drywall screw it into the wall.
Not code. Not safe. Not smart.
You have a stud behind it so you could use a pancake box (could only find 30 packs online but your local big box should have individuals for sale)
Note that this one has clamps built in, but you can buy them with 1/2" knockouts as well (just use a NM clamp with those). You can then mount the ring to it and then put the fixture back up. Thankfully it's a cheap fix (I bet the box costs no more than $2)
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Best Answer
I am not very familiar with the term sister, but if it means you're adding a piece of stud to another stud to get closer to your NM for stapling. Then I would say no one would have a problem with that form a code standpoint. Just make sure you're in the center of the wall or at least 1 1/2" from the drywall.