I am finally starting the electrical in my garage. I have a 40 space sub panel that will be mounted in a 2x4 wall. I would like to run as much of the wiring as I can out the bottom of the panel so the top stays open for easier access in the future if a circuit needs to be added. My plan is to come out the bottom of the panel with the wires, go through holes in the studs, and run the wiring up in the bays next to the panel. I know the code says all wiring needs to be 1 1/4" away from the face of the stud, so that only leaves me 1" of 2x4 left to attach the wires. I bought a bag of the 3M stackers, which will allow 4 12-2 wires to be run on the side of 1 stud, but I have a lot more wires then I have room for. Right now it looks like I will have 14 20 amp 115 volt circuits, 9 50 amp 220 circuits that will use 6/3 wire, and 2 30 amp 220 circuits that will use 10/3 wire. On the 6/3, it looks like I can only have 1 wire attached to the side of a 2x4 and still keep the 1 1/4" space to the faces of the stud. Is there anything similar to the 3M stackers that will work on the 6/3 wire? How about something that would go across the whole width between the studs which would allow multiple wires to be run? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Running the wires out of main panel, code questions
- Thread starter 1233user
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Aceman
Well-known member
What we usually do when bring a lot of cables down a stud bay is to put a 2x6 between the studs as blocking to staple cables to. You can use a 2x4, but they split a lot easier once you drive that many staples into them, even if you offset the staples. I'll put two 12-2's or 14-2's under one #100 staple. The bigger cables #10 and up and 3 wire cables, are all one cable per staple.
If I remember, I'll try and take a pic at work tomorrow of job I'm doing that shows exactly what I'm talking about.
If I remember, I'll try and take a pic at work tomorrow of job I'm doing that shows exactly what I'm talking about.
kaffine
Well-known member
How about putting some boards across the stud cavity just make sure it is space away from both front and back side enough and now you can use it to attach the wires to using normal wire clips.
Either get some 1x2 inch boards and space them off the back a little so the front of the board is 1 1/4 inch away from the drywall behind it or use a piece of plywood. Not sure I would think a 2x4 sideways would end up being just a little to thick with the 6/3 wire but it might work.
Either get some 1x2 inch boards and space them off the back a little so the front of the board is 1 1/4 inch away from the drywall behind it or use a piece of plywood. Not sure I would think a 2x4 sideways would end up being just a little to thick with the 6/3 wire but it might work.
Scott65
Well-known member
A piece of 3/4" plywood between the studs makes a great surface to staple wires and maintain the 1 1/4" spacing from the face of the wall.
sberry
Banned
When I hear something like this I am always curious,, why all the heavy circuits and 3 conductor cable?
Highbeam
Well-known member
Just as with the wires heading out the top of the panel which are supposed to be restrained within so many inches, you put in a block to staple to.
Just make nice long bends when you turn the 180 degrees from the bottom of the panel to heading up the next stud bay.
Just make nice long bends when you turn the 180 degrees from the bottom of the panel to heading up the next stud bay.
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Aceman
Well-known member
Thanks a lot for all the replies and pictures! I will put the blocking in between the studs, that will work perfectly. One more question, how many 12/2 wires am I allowed to stack together through the same hole coming out of the main panel? Thanks again!
The garage is 24x60 and I have a large mig welder that I want to be able to plug in in several locations in the garage. I also have the air compressor, 1 will be for a heated parts washer, and I will also need 1 for a hot water heater to run my floor heat, but that will probably be even bigger wire. I went 6/3 because the price wasn't much different, and down the road if I ever need a 4 wire circuit for anything, the extra wire is already there.
The garage is 24x60 and I have a large mig welder that I want to be able to plug in in several locations in the garage. I also have the air compressor, 1 will be for a heated parts washer, and I will also need 1 for a hot water heater to run my floor heat, but that will probably be even bigger wire. I went 6/3 because the price wasn't much different, and down the road if I ever need a 4 wire circuit for anything, the extra wire is already there.