Kitchen remodel countertop circuit
What's wrong here?
- The cable sits in a notch in the stud face with no steel plate over it
- A horizontal NM run must be stapled at every stud it passes through
- Holes for NM cable in wood studs must be fitted with plastic grommets
- Nothing. This installation is compliant
Show the answer and the code reference
The answer
At the middle stud the NM cable is laid in a notch cut into the face of the stud, and there is no steel nail plate over it.
Correct choice: 1. The cable sits in a notch in the stud face with no steel plate over it
Cables may be laid in notches in wood studs only where the notch does not weaken the structure and the cable is protected by a steel plate at least 1/16 in thick, of appropriate length and width, installed before the building finish (300.4(A)(2)). A notched cable sits essentially flush with the face of the stud, exactly where a drywall screw, cabinet screw, or backsplash fastener will land. A screw through a 20 A countertop circuit can short immediately or, worse, nick a conductor and fail later inside the finished wall. The stud the cable passes through on the left is bored near its center, more than 1-1/4 in from the face, so it needs no plate (300.4(A)(1)).
How to fix it
Install a listed 1/16 in steel nail plate over the notch before drywall, or, better, re-route the cable through a bored hole at least 1-1/4 in from the face of the stud like the others.
Code references
NEC 2023 300.4(A)(2) — Notches in Wood Members
Where there is no objection because of weakening the building structure, cables or raceways may be laid in notches in wood studs, joists, rafters, or other wood members if protected against nails or screws by a steel plate at least 1.6 mm (1/16 in.) thick, of appropriate length and width, covering the area of the wiring. The plate shall be installed before the building finish is applied.
Drills citing 300.4(A)(2)NEC 2023 300.4(A)(1) — Bored Holes
Holes bored in wood members for cables shall be bored so the edge of the hole is not less than 32 mm (1-1/4 in.) from the nearest edge of the wood member, or the cable shall be protected by a steel plate or bushing at least 1.6 mm (1/16 in.) thick.
Drills citing 300.4(A)(1)NEC 2023 334.17 — Through or Parallel to Framing Members
Types NM, NMC, and NMS cable shall be protected in accordance with 300.4 where installed through or parallel to framing members. Grommets used as required in 300.4(B)(1) shall remain in place and be listed for the purpose of cable protection.
Drills citing 334.17
2026 NEC:renumbered to 300.6(A)(2). Article 300 was reorganized in 2026 and 300.4 (Protection Against Physical Damage) became 300.6. The notch rule (1/16 in steel plate installed before the finish) is reported unchanged in substance. 334.17 still points to this rule. Confidence: medium
Minnesota
Minnesota adopts the NEC by reference without amendment (Minn. Rules 1315.0200; Minn. 326B.35), so 300.4(A)(2) applies as published. The 2023 NEC governs permits filed July 1, 2023 through Aug. 16, 2026; the 2026 NEC governs permits filed on or after Aug. 17, 2026 (exams moved to the 2026 NEC on Sept. 8, 2026). See the 2026 NEC note on this drill. Separately, notching of studs is limited by the building code (IRC R602.6 as adopted in the Minnesota Residential Code), which is a structural rule, not an electrical one.
How Minnesota adopts the NECWhy the other choices are wrong
- A horizontal NM run must be stapled at every stud it passes through. Cable run through framing at intervals of 4.5 ft or less is considered supported (334.30(A)); it still needs securing within 12 in of each box.
- Holes for NM cable in wood studs must be fitted with plastic grommets. Grommets (bushings) are required for NM through factory or field punched holes in metal framing (300.4(B)(1)), not wood studs.
- Nothing. This installation is compliant. Wherever cable sits in a notch, a 1/16 in steel plate must cover it before the drywall goes up (300.4(A)(2)).