Charlotte electricians are not all the same. Call 1 Home Services 704-614-3420
Charlotte electricians are not all the same. Call 1 Home Services 704-614-3420
Step-By-Step Instructions For:
If your rooms have wood-framed stud partition walls, you may be able to hide the wires within the wall. How easy this is depends on where you want to install the wiring accessory, and on whether there are horizontal braces or blanket insulation in the way. To gain access to the cavity you will have to drill a hole through the head or sole plates at the top or bottom of the wall framework.
Locate the wall position and lift floorboards or remove insulation to reveal the ceiling. Drill a 1/2-inch hole through the head plate (Image 1).
Feed the wire down through the hole and into the wall cavity (Image 2). It will drop freely if there is no blocking or insulation inside the wall.
Cut a hole in the wall at the new accessory position. Fish out the wire (Image 3), feed it into a clip-in mounting box, and fit this into the hole.
Running Wire in a New Stud Wall
Clad one side of the wall. Drill a 1/2-inch hole through the head or sole plate and draw in the wire from above or below (Image 1).
Drill 1/2-inch holes through the studs and thread the wire through until you reach the position of the new wiring accessory (Image 2).
Drywall the other side of the wall. Then mark and cut a hole for the new clip-in electrical box and draw the wire out through the hole (Image 3).
Wiring Codes
If you want to avoid tearing up a wall you can run wires inside baseboards or special housings, if you follow local codes. These may include:
- Cables must be protected within six feet of openings with guards at least the same height as the cable.
- Low-voltage wires can run behind baseboards.
- Cables need to be at least 1-1/4 inch from the edge of studs and have protection from any potential nailing.
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Step 1: Locate and Cut the Opening
Chose a location for the fixture and bore a 1/2″ hole in the ceiling drywall. Use a length of wire to probe the opening above the hole. The fixture should be positioned between two rafters or ceiling joists (Image 1), as close to the middle as possible to provide clearance.
When you have determined the correct location, use the template provided with the fixture to trace the ceiling opening.
Drill a pilot hole within the template line for the jig saw blade, then cut the opening (Image 2).
If there is insulation in the space it must be cleared well away from the fixture, or you can buy a fixture rated for zero-clearance.Step 2: Wire the Fixture
Run electrical wiring from a switch location to the fixture opening.
Insert the wire into the fixture’s integral electrical box and clamp the wire securely in place.
Connect the house wiring to the fixture wires (black to black and white to white). Use wire nuts to cap each connection.
Attach the house wiring’s bare or green ground wire to the fixture’s metal box, or to a green ground screw, if provided.
Switch on the power and test the fixture operation before you install it.
Step 3: Install the fixture in the Ceiling
Insert the canister unit into the ceiling opening.
On this type of fixture, clips installed near the bottom of the rim hold the canister secure. Be sure they are inside the fixture while you push in place. Once the canister is seated, push the pins out so that they lock in place against the top of the drywall.
Trim rings are available in several widths and styles; choose one to fit the type of bulb you use in the fixture. Hook each of the ring’s two retainer springs to an available hole inside the canister.
Dont forget to keep it safe while doing any electrical projects.
