avoiding electrical wires above a circuit box
#1
09-08-18, 12:25 PM
Join Date: May 2016
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avoiding electrical wires above a circuit box
We want to put a barn door between the kitchen and the living room. We made a door, solid pine (approximately 84”x40”, probably about 80 lbs judging by the heft.
We are worried about hitting an electrical wire since we have to attach the barn door at one point above a circuit panel. Any way to avoid doing this? if we use drywall anchors should that be safer? Should we attach a board horizontally to attach the track to?
We are worried about hitting an electrical wire since we have to attach the barn door at one point above a circuit panel. Any way to avoid doing this? if we use drywall anchors should that be safer? Should we attach a board horizontally to attach the track to?
#3
09-08-18, 01:47 PM
I would only want to fasten the track into a stud. Anchors will not hold the weight over time. If you are hitting a stud on center I would think it would be very unlikely you would hit a wire. A stud finder that detects electrical may give you some piece of mind.
#4
09-08-18, 06:49 PM
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Good info from Tratts. 
That panel is mounted directly between two studs. You can count on wires to be going up and down in that stud bay. You can not eliminate wiring being drilled thru either of those two studs. Putting up a board and using screws that penetrated those two studs by no more than 3/4" should be safe.
That panel is mounted directly between two studs. You can count on wires to be going up and down in that stud bay. You can not eliminate wiring being drilled thru either of those two studs. Putting up a board and using screws that penetrated those two studs by no more than 3/4" should be safe.
#5
09-10-18, 10:56 AM
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thanks
Thanks for the advice! I actually have a stud finder that's supposed to also detect wires (a zircon pro lcd) but it's kind of flaky and inconsistent so not sure if I can trust it. My wife is not a fan of the board idea but I might have to insist...Though now we're thinking of maybe just getting a handyman to be safe.
