Fishing electrical wire thru metal studs
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Fishing electrical wire thru metal studs
I've considered several ways of getting electrical cable to my finished basement. Digging a trench and entering the basement at several different locations where I want to install some wall heaters is one option. The other option is one which would save me quite a bit of digging but will only get the cable to one point in the basement area. From there I am faced with fishing it thru finished walls with metal studs. How would an electrician go about getting cable thru those studs? Or, is the first option the best approach?
#2
Member
You need to use plastic bushing for running wires through metal studs.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/IDEAL-25-Pa...AaAnHDEALw_wcB
Running through studs will be better than trenching. Less labor and easier to patch.
Often the best route is trough the ceiling depending on how your joist is oriented and where you want your cable to go.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/IDEAL-25-Pa...AaAnHDEALw_wcB
Running through studs will be better than trenching. Less labor and easier to patch.
Often the best route is trough the ceiling depending on how your joist is oriented and where you want your cable to go.
#3
Since you would need to cut a hold at each stud to install the bushing you can run metal.cable and skip the bushing. The issue will be that the holes will need to line up so you can use fish rods to pull the cables through.
#4
Member
Thread Starter
Unfortunately my joists are opposite to how I would need to run the cable. Otherwise it would be fairly easy. I think there's some labor in my future.
#5
Member
Thread Starter
PC Boss, that might work along the bottom where I can do the work behind the baseboard. Any good tips on drilling thru those studs?
#6
Member
There are factory made holes in metal studs and they should line up with other studs if they are all installed in same orientation (which is hot they should be installed). So if you are lucky, you may not even have to make multiple holes.
May be just cut one section fairly large to find this hole, then push fishing rods in.
If using MC cable, you don't need bushing and if you are able to fish through existing holes, you only have to make 2 holes.
If you need to make a hole on metal stud, use a hole saw. Will cut easier and cleaner.
If you have to cut multiple stud cavities, instead of cutting holes, just cut the drywall straight along the run.
It actually is much easier when patching multiple holes.
Running wires at the bottom is not a good idea. Often long trim nails are used to install baseboards and one or more of the nails might hit the wire running behind. This sometimes can even penetrate MC cable.
May be just cut one section fairly large to find this hole, then push fishing rods in.
If using MC cable, you don't need bushing and if you are able to fish through existing holes, you only have to make 2 holes.
If you need to make a hole on metal stud, use a hole saw. Will cut easier and cleaner.
If you have to cut multiple stud cavities, instead of cutting holes, just cut the drywall straight along the run.
It actually is much easier when patching multiple holes.
Running wires at the bottom is not a good idea. Often long trim nails are used to install baseboards and one or more of the nails might hit the wire running behind. This sometimes can even penetrate MC cable.
#7
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks lambition! A lot of good information. I do have access to a corner that I might be able to locate the holes. Hopefully, they don't already have cable in them for the electrical outlets that are already there.
#8
Fishing horizontal through studs (even metal studs with holes) will be almost impossible. Also carpenters many times do not pay attention to make sure the holes line up.
My questions is why wasn't this roughed in before the walls were rocked?
My questions is why wasn't this roughed in before the walls were rocked?
#9
Member
Thread Starter
Tolyn, the basement was finished when I bought the place over 15 years ago. I'm trying to hardwire some wall heaters. I've begun digging the trenches to get electricity to the areas where I want the heaters. I've given up on the idea of trying to fish thru metal studs.