RUNNING WIRING

[Anonymous]

Posted by: gcstrojny (old forum transfer)
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2002 6:38 pm

When running wiring through walls does it have to be at a certain height? Can you have the switch wire go straight across or do you have to go down the stud and go along the bottom? Also the wall where the fridge and microwave outlets are would be much easier to run along basement ceiling and back up, is that allowed? I am not sure how we will be doing the ceiling, I am going to use canister lights,but unsure if i am going to use a mini-drop ceiling or leave it as is, if I go the drop ceiling route,is it ok to attach the new wiring to the old ceiling or does it have to be above old ceiling?
thanks
oops sorry one more question--kitchen is approx 11x12 with a small area off to side leading to basement,i was thinking of using 5 canistor lights,will that provide enough lighting,currently we just have a flourescent ring in middle--yeuch. wanted to run tem on 2 dimming switches,and under cabinet lights will also be used
thanks again

[Anonymous]

Posted by: Wgoodrich
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2002 10:57 pm

You are allowed to run through the wall about anywhere. A couple of heights to avoid should be where you are likely to mount your kitchen cabinets with screws into the wall space. Most people will drill horizontally through a stud wall between the knees to below the waist or above the waist to shoulder height. Most often the holes are drilled just below the waste to avoid mounting screws of the cabinets that can really mess things up if one of those screws hits a wire in a drilled hole.

You are not allowed to install wires smaller than 6 awg to the bottom of the floor joists without installing a running board and mounting the wires on that running board.

A false ceiling in a dwelling is allowed to be an area to install wiring but that wiring is not allowed to lay on the false ceiling and not allowed to be installed on the bottom of floor or ceiling joists without a running board to mount the wire to. Wiring is allowed to be installed through the floor or ceiling joists or along the framing members.

Be careful with your recessed lights tanks. Make sure the recess tank is approved to be installed in direct contact with wood or insulation, some are not allowed in contact with combustable material or covered in insulation.

Recessed tanks are thermally protected. You must match the light bulb size and design to match being approved by the trim being used on the finished product of that recessed tank.

Recessed tanks limit light output normally you should use about 5 or 6 recessed tanks to light a room the size you discribed. Even then the lighting may be a bit dim depending on the type of trim used on the recessed light.

Undercabinet lights have progressed. You might want to research the low voltage high intensity lights that seem to be so popular due to their miniture size and high light output on the counter top area.

Normal dimmers can carry up to 6 - 100 watt bulbs or 600 watt rated dimmers.

Hope this helps

Wg