 |
Hyderabadghar.com|Contact Us| Site Map |
|
|
Running Cable or Wire Across a CeilingRunning cable or wire through an existing but inaccessible ceiling requires great patience and more than a little skill. Many times it means that you will need to cut both a ceiling and a wall opening in order to fish the cable from a vertical wall cavity to a horizontal ceiling cavity. Once the ceiling is opened, a fish tape is used to get the cable across to the new electrical box.
Before running the cable, take the time to determine the most time-efficient and least labor-intensive routing. First, decide where your new switch, outlet or junction box will be located; then determine where the drywall will need to be opened. Openings in drywall can be cut using a utility knife, keyhole saw or saber saw. After you make your cut, either remove the scrap or knock it back between the framing members. If ceiling joists or studs need to be notched or drilled, use a keyhole saw or a saber saw to do your notching. Double check to assure yourself that you will not be cutting into any utilities hidden within the walls. If you choose to drill through the studs rather than notch them, you still may have to install metal nail shield plates if there is any chance of the wire being dangerously close to the stud's surface and therefore subject to puncture. Once the wire is in place and the electrical work is done, the walls can then be repaired and finished.
 PROJECT BASICS
TOOLS & MATERIALS
INSTRUCTIONS Running the cable or wire across the ceiling
Wear a dust mask and safety goggles while doing this job. Working on drywall and framing creates a great deal of fine dust that should not be inhaled and could irritate your eyes. When done, sweep up and vacuum debris. (Change the cleaner's bag often — this dust can kill a vacuum cleaner.) If doing a great deal of cutting, you might want to tape sheets of plastic to doorways to seal them off, preventing the dust from entering clean areas.  Fig. 1Using a keyhole or saber saw, cut a hole in the ceiling where you wish to locate the ceiling box. (Fig. 1)  Fig. 2For the easiest of jobs identify which way the ceiling joists run so that the wire can be fished easily across the ceiling in the space between the joists. Check the adjacent walls first to see if a suitable source for the electric can be located there. From the ceiling hole, make a visual reference line running perpendicular to the wall where the cable will turn downward; then mark a reference line on the ceiling and wall at the point of intersection. (Fig. 2)  Fig. 3At the point of intersection, use a utility knife to make adjoining 2x4-inch openings in the wallboard, one in the ceiling and in the wall. (Fig. 3)  Fig. 4From the 2x4-inch ceiling cutout, bore a 3/4-inch-wide hole down all the way through the double top plate or use a chisel to cut a 3/4-inch wide by 1-inch deep notch in the outer face of the top plates to receive the cable. (Fig. 4)  Fig. 5Through the new opening that you cut for the ceiling box feed a long fish tape through the joist space in the ceiling, across to the ceiling cutout made at the adjoining wall. Tie a plumb bob or some other type of weight to the end of the fish tape and drop it down into the wall cavity. (Fig. 5)  Fig. 6Grab and pull the fish tape through an access hole made at the bottom of the wall, and then fasten the wire or cable to the fish tape. Bend the wire or cable a little and tape over the splice to prevent any sharp wire ends from catching on and locking it in the wall cavities. (Fig. 6)  Fig. 7Next, pull the cable or wire up through the wall, across the ceiling, and then out the hole you cut previously that will house the ceiling box. (Fig. 7)
|
| Home |Construction Needs | Home Needs| Ghar Galleries | Ghar Blog | |||
|
