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Proper wire routing

rinker1

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2008
Messages
289
Location
Ohio
Had my ditch inspection the other day and passed now on to rough in on the inside. Just wondering is it ok to drill the wall studs with a 7/8 in bit ( 2x6 studs) and also around corners? Or do I have to go up and then back down to get around the corners of the garage. Also the electrical inspector told me not to drill the trusses but to run with them. Any tips will probably help a lot. I,m sure I can wire this thing, just not sure how to wire that will please the inspector. Thanks!
 
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IDASHO

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Joined
Mar 5, 2007
Messages
1,809
Location
Moscow, Idaho
7/8 is fine for 2x6

I normally run 3/4 inch holes in 2x4 walls.

Corners are easy, just so long as they are framed right. Once drilled, bend the wire a bit to help fish it through.

No go on drilling trusses. EVER.

I always build a "race" perpendicular to the trusses in line with the load center for wiring purposes. Wires run along the race, then drop in between the trusses from there.
 

Torque1st

MEMBER EMERITUS
Joined
Sep 14, 2008
Messages
5,668
Location
KC Metro, Kansas
Remember:
Bored Holes. In both exposed and concealed locations,
where a cable- or raceway-type wiring method is installed
through bored holes in joists, rafters, or wood members,
holes shall be bored so that the edge of the hole is not less
than 32 mm (1-1/4 in.) from the nearest edge of the wood
member. Where this distance cannot be maintained, the
cable or raceway shall be protected from penetration by
screws or nails by a steel plate or bushing, at least 1.6 mm
(1/16 in.) thick, and of appropriate length and width installed
to cover the area of the wiring.
 
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brad d

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Joined
Sep 2, 2007
Messages
361
Location
Winnipeg
My inspector just wanted me to run the wires along the trusses in a area where you could not walk on them... or run a board down them then run it on top of it.
 

Torque1st

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Sep 14, 2008
Messages
5,668
Location
KC Metro, Kansas
I am not an electrician, just a guy that has pulled a lot of wire over the years. It may not be in the code. But in most applications with 2x4 studs your maximum hole size would be 1" if placed perfectly but it is better to use 7/8" or even 3/4" so placement does not have to be perfect. In the smaller holes 3 romex #12 or #16 cables would be a "practical" maximum. Even then it would be a PITA to get that 3rd cable pulled thru many times if a #12 cable was twisted etc. So when planning a job out it would probably be a good idea to plan for two or a maximum of three runs per hole. I never plan to run more than two cables per hole myself except in places where space is tight like around a main panel.
 

larry4406

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Joined
Jan 27, 2006
Messages
19,581
Location
Northern Virginia
No electrician either, but the inspectors here in northern va also applied the "3 max romex" wires - referred to it as bundling. They looked hard for more than 3 wires in the same hole as more than 3 stapled concurrently.
 

walrus

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Joined
Nov 12, 2008
Messages
11,684
Location
Maine
No electrician either, but the inspectors here in northern va also applied the "3 max romex" wires - referred to it as bundling. They looked hard for more than 3 wires in the same hole as more than 3 stapled concurrently.

I think Bundling is defined as run together for 24 inches, for what its worth.
 
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