Adding Electrical Wiring in the Home Videos
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How should I install electrical wiring inside the walls of my home? Installing Electrical Wiring around Obstacles inside the walls and ceilings. |
Installing Electrical Wiring
Electrical Question: How should I install electrical wiring inside the walls of my home?
- I am installing some new recessed lights in an existing circuit in my kitchen in our home built in 2003.
- The location of the new lights will require me to run the 14/2 NM wiring through ceiling joists perpendicular to where there is a HVAC duct which is likely flexible foil duct if consistent with the rest of the house.
- I don’t have access to this section of the ceiling where the duct runs without tearing out additional drywall, which is really undesired.
- There is approx. 14 inches from the ceiling drywall to the second floor above, so there should be ample room around the duct for the wiring.
- I plan on drilling holes through the joists on either side of the duct to run the Type-NM wire.
- As long as I don’t run the wiring through the duct, are there any other restrictions/special requirements that must be followed to be safe and meet code?
- Can the wire touch/rest on the duct?
- Should the holes be sealed around the wires?
Thanks!
This electrical question came from: Greg, a Homeowner from McKinney, Texas.
Additional Comments: Great website.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Greg.
How to Install Electrical Wiring Inside Walls and Ceilings
Application: Installing Electrical Wiring for a 120 Volt Circuit.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. This electrical project is best performed by a Licensed Electrician or Electrical Contractor or Certified Electrician.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, electric drill, drill auger bits and extension cord.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools and install electrical circuit wiring.
Precaution: Identify the panel circuit of the source power, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before making any wiring connections or modifications to the wiring.
Notice: Installing additional circuit wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
Installing Electrical Wiring around Obstacles and HVAC Ducting
- As mentioned in this question, the new electrical wiring cannot penetrate the HVAC duct.
- It is best to plan the path that will be used for installing the electrical wiring to avoid potential obstacles and prevent running out of wire.
- Electrical wiring can be installed around the duct as long as the cable wiring does not interfere with the flex duct where it may squeeze the duct size smaller.
- It is best if the electrical cable is installed where it does not come into contact with the duct.
The NEC addresses Un-Supported Cables inside Existing Walls
RE: NEC 334.30 subsection (B)
- (B) Unsupported Cables.
The nonmetallic-sheathed cable shall be permitted to be unsupported where the cable: - (1) Is fished between wired access points through concealed spaces in finished buildings or structures and supporting is impracticable.
- (2) Is not more than four and one half feet from the last point of cable support to the point of connection to a light fixture, luminaire or other piece of electrical equipment and the cable and point of connection are within an accessible ceiling.
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