Finishing a Basement 7 - Electrical Considerations

Intro - Moisture Proofing - Subfloor - Lay Out Walls - Frame Walls - Corners, Doors & Ceilings - Electrical - Heating and Plumbing - Insulation - Finishing Walls & Ceilings

By Murray Anderson

In some jurisdictions, you need to have a qualified electrician install any new wiring. Even if this isn't a requirement where you live, remember that incorrect wiring could cause a tragic fire. If you aren't totally confident in your ability to install the wiring properly, have an electrician do it. Your family's safety is well worth the price. Also for your own safety and protections, get an electrical wiring permit prior to beginning the job and be sure your wiring is inspected and approved before you close up the walls.

Because electrical codes vary across the country, the following information is quite generic. Check your local codes before implementing any of the suggestions.

14/3 Romex wire on the left - note the extra red wire - and 14/2 on the right.

The wire used for household wiring is generally 14/2 or 14/3 NM plastic coated (non-metallic sheath) wire (sometimes called by its trade name Romex). The numbers 2 and 3 indicate the number of carrier wires inside the sheath. 14/2 will have 2 wires (one black and one white) plus a ground wire (bare copper). 14/3 has three wires (black, white and red) plus the ground wire. 14/2 is used for wiring outlets, lights and switches while 14/3 with its extra wire is necessary for wiring three-way switches.

Drill 3/4" holes through the 2x4 framing lumber about 15" off the floor to run your wire through. Install the boxes for your outlets and switches and run wire to them. Start close to your electrical panel and pull the wire through the framing. At each outlet and fixture location, loop about 12" of wire for the installation. Nail a metal protector plate to the stud over the hole protecting the wire so you won't be able to unknowingly drive a nail into it after the wall is finished. Each circuit can have a maximum of 12 outlets (not counting switches) on it, but having more circuits with fewer outlets is a good idea, since you are less likely to overload a circuit; this also allows for future changes and growth. While the walls are open is also the time to run any coax or telecom cables.

Basement Lighting

Fluorescent lights provide great overall lighting in a finished basement, while recessed lights are very popular since they can provide ambient or background lighting as well as good task lighting for reading. Installing different types of lights on different circuits will provide lots of flexibility in how you light your room for different activities. Keep in mind, many basements have small windows and don't get much natural light, so installing lots of lighting will help make your basement brighter and more inviting.

Code generally requires that the wiring for a light fixture cannot directly connect to a fixture - the connection must be in a junction box using approved connectors (wire nuts). Some recessed lights are manufactured with junction boxes as part of the fixture, but with others you will need to install a junction box close to the light fixture itself. The wire running from the junction box to the fixture itself should be 4' long (to allow you to remove the fixture) and usually has to be in an armored cable for extra strength.

Installing three way switches at the top and bottom of the stairs provides convenience and lets you turn off the lights once you get upstairs. Also, having some room lights controlled by switches at the bottom of the stairs will allow you to light up the room as you come into it - much more convenient than having to walk across a semi dark room to get to a light switch. If there is a switch for the furnace, it should be located outside of the furnace room, preferably near the top of the stairs.

Intro - Moisture Proofing - Subfloor - Lay Out Walls - Frame Walls - Corners, Doors & Ceilings - Electrical - Heating and Plumbing - Insulation - Finishing Walls & Ceilings

Murray Anderson is an experienced freelance writer with articles published in both the United States and Canada. He has written on a wide range of topics, but specializes in home maintenance and how to's.

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