By Dave Rongey Summary: Here is a Great Electrical Wiring Question - Frank from Illinois asks: How many romex 12-2 and how many 14-3 wires am I able to run through an interior wall separating two rooms?In this article on Home Wiring Remodel Tips we will take a look at how to safely install romex house wire and methods to protect the wire from damage.
The Protection of Electrical Wiring is Extremely Important
Always use the correct size wire for your circuit. If adding onto an existing circuit make sure to match the existing wire size and type.
Install wiring so that it is protected and will not be damaged by dry wall or wall covering fasteners such as screws or nails.
Drill holes in the center of the framing stud. Before drilling holes look on the opposite side of the framing stud to be sure it is clear of other wiring, pipes or any other existing such system device components.
Always use Metal Safety Plates to protect the electrical wiring where it could be damaged from wall covering nails or screws.
Great Electrical Wiring Question - Here is the Answer!
There is no limit as to how many Romex wires you can run between two rooms, the home wiring method would be the factor when wiring remodel construction projects.
The path for the Romex wiring must be installed using methods which will protect the wiring from nails and screws used to install sheet rock and other wall coverings.
Drill the holes for the Romex in the center of the wall studs or framing material used for your remodel construction. If the holes get too close the outside of the studs, then be sure to protect the home wiring or Romex by using Safety Plates, also know as Nail Plates.
Below you will see some home wiring photos of recent remodel construction projects that I have selected to help you with your project. [Click on the images to Enlarge]
In areas where the home wiring may be vulnerable to harm of sheet rock screws or nails, always install Safety Nail Plates to protect the wiring!
When remodeling, routing wiring through corners is a special area of concern because the sheet rock will be anchored securely in this area.
The electrical wiring should be back 1-1/2' away from both nailing surfaces - Interior and Exterior.
Be sure to get your copy of my BIG New eBook:
Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring
Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book
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Learn more about Residential House Wiring Perfect for Homeowners, Students and Electricians Includes:
Home Electrical Wiring - Room by Room
120 Volt Circuits
240 Volt Circuits
Multi-Wired Circuits
Wiring Methods for Installing Home Electrical Circuit Wiring
Electrical Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.
The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!
The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!
The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets
UL Listed
Light indicates if wiring is incorrect
Very handy and easy to use.
Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!
The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..
The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.
Samiksha asks:
Since a few days the lights in my whole house flicker ( suddenly turn off and on) for less than a second. it happens 5-6 times a day. I installed a chandelier few days ago and I think it started after that. is it possible that in case I did something wrong with the wiring in the chandelier, the lights throughout the house can be affected? or is it an indication of some other major issue?
Dave’s Reply: From what you have described, if the all of the lights in the house flicker, and there are problems with receptacle outlets as well, then it is very possible there is a problem within the main electrical system at the condo.
The wiring connections for the new chandelier should be checked to make sure there are no loose wiring connections, because if there was a problem it would only affect one or possibly two circuits in the condo.
If the light fixture wiring looks OK, then notify the condo complex property manager about the problem so they can investigate the problem further with a qualified electrician.
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Why Is My Bathroom Light Fixture Not Working? How to Fix a Bathroom Light Fixture and a Bath Exhaust Fan that has Stopped Working. The Most Common Problems with Bathroom Light Fixtures and How You Can Fix Them.
Ask The Electrician – Electrical Questions and Answers Database Troubleshooting and Repairing Electrical Wiring Problems: Licensed Electrician shares the Methods of Electrical Wiring that are used to solve the majority of home electrical wiring problems, and shows how home wiring projects are performed.
What To Do With The Ground Wire Grounding Wall Outlets and Light Switches: What to do When there is Nothing to Attach the Ground Wire to, Grounding Wall Outlets and Light Switches, Ground Wires and Ungrounded Fixtures and Boxes, Bonding the Ground Wire.
Wiring Connections when Adding Light Fixtures I am adding more light fixtures, the new lights do not work, but the original light does work, what did I do wrong? Common Wiring Problems with Light Fixtures and Dimmer Switches and How to Fix Them.
220 240 Volt Air Compressor Wiring How to Wire a 220 Volt Air Compressor and Control Switch: Wiring a standard 240 volt motor for equipment such as an air compressor there are only two insulated wires for the 220/240 volts and one separate wire for the ground.
Splicing 220 Volt Wiring How to Splice 220 Volt Electrical Wiring: Considerations when splicing 220 volt cable wiring in order to make the splice safe, accessible and makes sure the circuit maintains integrity.
Installing a 220 Volt Oven Circuit How to Wire an Electrical Circuit for an Oven: A Step by Step Procedure for the Installation for Oven Electrical Wiring, Determining the Oven Circuit Size, Selecting the Electrical Cable, The Electrical Junction Box, Connecting the Flex Conduit From the Oven, Connecting the Circuit Wiring.
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Home Electrical Wiring
All home electrical wiring projects should be performed correctly by trained and qualified individuals who understand the principles of electrical circuit wiring and the basic fundamentals of home construction.
Detailed information is provided throughout areas of this website about the complexity of specific projects to help assist with you to understand the scope of work involved.
The following categories will provide more specific information for each project - below is an Example:
Electrical Project Skill Level:
Intermediate to Advanced - Best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Electrical Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and a Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time:
Depends on the personal level experience, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area.
Electrical Safety:
Identify the electrical circuits found in the project area, turn them OFF and Tag them with a Note before working with the electrical wiring.
Home Electrical Parts and Materials:
Electrical parts and materials should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections:
Installing additional home electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
This is a testing tool that is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
This is great to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring, is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect, Very handy and easy to use.
A wire stripping tool used to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.
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