Amend NEC^® 2017, page 189:

(A) General. Type MC cable shall be supported and secured by staples; cable ties; straps, hangers, or similar fittings; or other approved means designed and installed so as not to damage the cable.

ELR commentary: In the 2017 NEC^®, this section requires cable ties that “support” MC cable to be listed and identified for securement and support. There is a difference between standard cable ties and those cable ties that have been evaluated and UL listed for the support of a cable. Regular cable ties or zip ties may be suitable for securing a cable in place to keep it from moving but not for the actual support of a cable. Specific UL listed cable ties that UL has tested to ensure that they can support a cable are marked with a “21S” on the package (S for support). Those not evaluated for supporting a cable are only marked with a “21”.

In North Carolina, the amendment allows any cable tie to be used to secure or support a cable even though there are plenty of UL listed cable ties on the market that have been specifically listed for the support of a cable.

Special note:

NEC 110.3(B) requires that listed and labeled equipment must be installed in accordance with any instructions that are part of the listing and labeling. That being said, it would be a violation to install standard cable ties that were only listed and labeled for securing the cable if the intent was for the cable tie to support the cable. North Carolina has not amended 110.3(B) and it still stands.