I would like to see the NM protected more than with just some ceiling tiles. Those suspended ceilings come and go out of style, but I'd only want to run that wire once.

For specific code questions, I'd go to Mike Holts forum.

This one is interesting. Note the variety of opinions.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mike Holt

334.12 lends a bit of weight to the side that advocates fastening the cable to the bottom of the joist above a suspended ceiling is OK. With the code being a "prohibitive" document for the most part, that is, permitting most things not prohibited, NM-B fastened to the bottom of joists in a finished basement above a suspended ceiling would be OK. And, "easily removeable" isn't addressed as a definition of "finished". The code doesn't say that a ceiling has to be nailed or screwed in to be a "finished" ceiling. But, installation of a suspended ceiling without finishing the walls doesn't get you a finished basement, either.

On the other hand, during construction of a residence wiring is never installed above the ceiling of a "finished" basement ceiling as the basement isn't finished till the ceiling is in place, thus requiring either bored holes or running boards for wiring installed during construction. Removal of a ceiling panel to do repairs or upgrades doesn't "unfinish" the area any more than an accidentally broken piece of ceiling drywall would.

Personally, I would drill the holes for the wire but only because it is a preference and not a requirement.

As a side note, the fact there is discussion about this subject at all just bolters my opionion that it's a bad idea to install a permanent ceiling in a basement.

With all due respect to fubar411, a ceiling is a ceiling. It is quite unlikely that NM-B above a suspended ceiling would get damaged by anything not likey to damage it behind any other kind of covering. The code does, after all, permit EXPOSED NM-B installation in certain circumstances.

And, although the Mike Holt is a great resource, the fact of the matter is that those of us who use specific parts of the code every day and interact with inspectors about it are just as capable and knowledgeable as anyone there. After all, it isn't the forum folks that have to build a job to get past OUR inspectors. The 2 or 3 hard copies I have floating around and the copy on my laptop aren't there for vanity reasons.

UNK

I'm a DIYer, but I too have copies of the code.

My opinion is that it's a grey area. I might be able to staple, or I might not depending on the mood of the inspector. So, I drill holes - why take the chance?. It's not that big an effort if the joists are already exposed.

If I were an inspector, I would allow it in a completely finished basement. The specific construction of the ceiling doesn't make any difference from a safety perspective, and that's what the code is all about.

I'd be inclined to go through and along the sides of the joists, because I'm neurotic about things like this, and the work wouldn't need to be redone in a future remodel that invloved removing the dropped ceiling. But I would also make sure my joists were beefy enough to handle the weakening that drilling involves, I would keep the holes as small as possible, and I would do the drilling near the ends, rather than the center, since that is the most structurally sound way to do it.

As a matter of fact, I just finished a basement wiring this afternoon. The homeowner is using suspended ceiling for the whole basement. I stapled all cables to the underside of the floor joists. Only used the big DeWalt hawg for drilling the studs and top plates. Sure saved a lot of time! In Canada suspended ceiling is enough protection for NM.

Most basement ceilings I have seen actually involve tiles being afixed to 1 bys nailed to the rafters. Usually basement ceilings are not high enough to allow for a suspended ceiling. Regardless, we are hole drillers. The only place we attach romex to the surface of rafters is in attics.

If you put up a tile ceiling, that's a whole new problem. Now the junction boxes, unless moved, are apt to be inaccessable.