Protective guard strips in attics must be used when cables are run across what?

Protective guard strips are essential safety components in an attic when cables are run across ceiling joists. They serve the purpose of preventing damage to the cables from potential physical impacts or abrasion. The ceiling joists are structural members that support the ceiling, and they can create areas where cables might be susceptible to being pinched, crushed, or cut, especially during activities such as installation, maintenance, or any construction work that occurs in the attic space.

Using guard strips over ceiling joists helps to ensure that the cables are adequately protected from tools, debris, or other elements that could compromise their integrity. This protective measure is a key consideration in residential wiring to maintain both compliance with electrical codes and the overall safety of the electrical system. In other scenarios, such as running cables across walls, floor joists, or suspended ceilings, different considerations and strategies may apply, but the specific requirement for guard strips arises in the context of ceiling joists due to the heightened risk of impact in that area.