How to Fish an Electric Wire through a Ceiling

A lot of home improvement projects that we tackle involve a lot of electric wire. We know everything’s fine until we have to get to the attic and into the insulation. Usually, that’s when home improvement turns from challenging to a major headache. But with the right strategy, you will never have to climb into another air vent.

Step 1 – Plan Ahead

It’s very important that you have a game plan before you attempt to do anything to your house. Projects that require electrical wire fishing are usually ones like installing a light fixture. If you’re doing any of those projects, pick the spots for whatever you are setting up ahead of time so that you have an idea where the wire will have to be routed through.

Step 2 – Cut the Access Boxes

From the spot where you’ll be installing the fixture, trace the possible route of the wire to reach the switch box or electrical socket. Now, look for the ceiling and wall joints as well as the wall studs between the fixture spot and the electrical socket. Mark those areas and cut off access boxes with the use of a drywall saw. Drill in holes through the studs for the wire to pass through. Make sure that the holes are, as much as possible, in the same, straight direction whether horizontally or vertically. Also cut out an access box for your electrical socket. This access box will serve as the exit way of your wire. Depending on the fixture you plan to install, cut out the right access box on the ceiling.

Step 3 – Wire the Tape

When your fish tape is all the way through the end, you can start attaching the wire to the tape. To do so, strip six inches of the while. With the copper wires showing, insert that into the eye of the fish tape and fold it. Twist the copper wires around the wire to make sure that it’s attached tightly.

Step 4 – Fish the Tape

Starting with the access box in the ceiling, fish your tape through until you can fish it out from the access box made in the intersection of your wall and ceiling. Once the tape is through, tie a weight to it and drop the tape through the drilled holes in the wall studs.

Step 5 – Pull the Wire

When the tape reaches the electrical socket access box, securely fasten the wire to it. Then pull the fish tape with the wire out of the ceiling access box. When you have successfully done this, secure the wire to the frame of your access box with cable straps. You can then connect the wire to your light fixture and enjoy.