How do you run fish wire through walls and ceilings?
- Turn off the electricity. [01:14]
- Mark for the electrical box. [01:41]
- Drill a hole in the ceiling or floor. [02:03]
- Cut the opening for the electrical box. [03:01]
- Run the cable. [03:19]
- Running cable past a fire block. [03:51]
- Pull the cable through the wall. [04:39]
- Stud finder - Voltage tester - Drywall saw. [05:13]
How to run an Ethernet cable through the ceiling?
- Start by running most of the cable on your top floor and measuring how much cable you need for your bottom floor. ...
- Figure out where your cable will run. ...
- Check the part of the ceiling that you want to run the cable through first. ...
- Mark off the part of your ceiling that you want to run the cable to. ...
How to fish cable inside an exterior wall?
- Use a fiberglass rod with a bull-nose end. ...
- Push the rod to the same corner you used with the drill bit. ...
- If you are feeding the cable up or down into the wall cavity from an attic or crawl space, attach the cable to a fiberglass rod and get the rod ...
- Attach the cable to the pull cord in the attic/crawl space, and pull the cable out with the cord.
How to fish a wire from the attic?
Running Wires in an Existing Home
- Planning your wiring run. First you will need to decide on the start and end location for your wire and then determine the path that the wire will take.
- Cutting the holes for outlets. ...
- Drilling to access the wall from above or below. ...
- Fishing the wires through walls. ...
- Running wires from the attic to the basement. ...
- Fishing wires through the ceiling. ...
How to run speaker wire through ceiling?
The essential steps to running surround sound speaker wires using this method:
- Plan your cable route. ...
- Once you know which way you’ll be going, locate the wall cavity behind your AV gear. ...
- Cut out a single-gang low voltage box hole in the wall behind your AV gear. ...
- Remember that you’re connecting the dots—that’s all. ...
- Repeat this attic/crawlspace process for each surround speaker location. ...
How to fish wire through a string?
How to change a wire in a house?
How deep should a ceiling joist be?
How to make a magnet stick to a cable?
How to drill through a fire block?
How many holes do you drill in a rectangle?
What to do if cable is not getting through?
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How do you run fish wire through walls and ceilings?
3:195:44How to Run/Fish Electrical Wire Through Walls & Ceilings - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDirectly below the box feed your fish tape into the wall opening. Pushing it up into the hole youMoreDirectly below the box feed your fish tape into the wall opening. Pushing it up into the hole you made in the topically. If you're running cable through a basement or crawlspace. Push.
What is the best way to fish wires through walls?
Cut a hole in your wall with a drywall saw. Make another hole in the top or bottom plate of the wall with a drill. Secure the wires to a fish tape using electrical tape. Slowly pull the fish tape and wires through the wall.
What tool is used to wire fish through walls?
Flex bits and glow rods are the go-to tools pros use for fishing wires. Flex bits are great for drilling holes in hard-to-reach spaces (see "Invest in a Bumper Ball," below). The two most common lengths are 5 ft. and 6 ft., but extensions are also available.
Is there a way to trace wires through walls?
You can use magnetic or electrical stud finders to trace wires in your walls. And if you want to find out if a certain wire is live, you can use a voltage detector or neon circuit tester. These tools can also help you trace specific wires if they are tangled with others within your wall.
What is the easiest way to run wires through a wall?
Running wire around corners isn't as hard as it seems; the key is to cut holes on each side of the corner. With a spade bit in an angle drill, or an angle attachment, drill a hole in each of the corner studs. This will give you a path to pull wire through.
How do you rewire a house without removing drywall?
One solution is securing the cable to joists or rafters using wire staples. The electrician needs to make sure that each wire is perfectly anchored to the appropriate device electrical box using the correct clamp. Using junction boxes to keep wires organized is another great tip for when rewiring.
What can I use to fish wire?
Use fish tape to pull cable Use electrical tape and tape the end of the fish tape onto the cable. It should be smooth so that the cable can slide through the opening.
How do you run wires through a finished ceiling?
2:033:08How to run wires easily through ceiling without cutting drywall ..See ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey make drill bits. That are this long and flexible. So what you do is you get to where you needMoreThey make drill bits. That are this long and flexible. So what you do is you get to where you need to go and if you have to go over to the next can you'll slide this in bend.
How do you fish wires through an insulated wall?
4 Different Ways To Fish Wires Through an Insulated WallFeed the Wire Along the Corner of the Wall.Use a Magnetic Fishing Bit.Use a Magnetic Ball-Chain.Use a Flex Fishing Drill Bit.
How do electricians find wires in walls?
Stud Finders Wires often run along studs, or wooden or metal beams that are part of the wall frame. A magnetic stud finder detects metal nails in the studs, which wires often rest on, while an electronic stud finder produces an electrical field that lets it identify denser regions (some can detect electrical currents).
Is there a tool to trace electrical wires?
Wire tracers are specially designed to locate wires in hard-to-reach areas. These days, wires run underground or through the walls, which makes them harder to trace. With a proper tracker, you can locate wires with ease, whether you're in a home or commercial environment.
How do you know where the wires are in your wall at?
According to Popular Mechanics, the best tool for locating wires is a stud finder with AC wire detection. Use painters' tape around the area you wish to scan; this will serve as a place to mark the location of the wires after detection.
How do you fish an electrical wire through an insulated wall?
4 Different Ways To Fish Wires Through an Insulated WallFeed the Wire Along the Corner of the Wall.Use a Magnetic Fishing Bit.Use a Magnetic Ball-Chain.Use a Flex Fishing Drill Bit.
How do you not hit a wire when drilling through a wall?
If it is possible, only drill shallow holes. Most cables will be at least an inch deep into the wall, so by avoiding deep drilling, you can be sure to avoid wires.
How do I know where the wires are in my wall?
According to Popular Mechanics, the best tool for locating wires is a stud finder with AC wire detection. Use painters' tape around the area you wish to scan; this will serve as a place to mark the location of the wires after detection.
What’s the Best Way to Fish Wires Through Insulated Walls?
If you’re installing new cable or wire in a Sacramento, CA home that’s already been finished and insulated, it’s understandable to be a little daunted by the task. However, there are techniques you can use with insulated walls that will still allow you to push wires through exactly where you need them. Walls with fiberglass
How to fish wire through a string?
Pull the string from above to fish the wire through. You can also tie a wad of paper to the end of the string and then use a vacuum to suck the string from one opening to another. Draw the wire along with a magnet. A magnet may be the most effective method for long vertical distances or tricky corners.
How to change a wire in a house?
Turn off the power. Shut off the electricity to the circuit you are modifying. Double check with a multimeter or a current tester at the closest outlet where you plan to connect the wires . Try to work during the day so there's natural light.
How deep should a ceiling joist be?
Ceiling joist: center the hole vertically, not through the top or bottom 3" (5 cm). Avoid the ends of the joist as well as the middle third. The maximum diameter is ⅓ of the actual depth of the joist (not the depth as labeled).
How to make a magnet stick to a cable?
Tape a powerful magnet (such as a rare earth magnet) onto the end of the cable. Stick the magnet and cable through one opening. Tie an iron nail or similar object to a fish tape. Lower the nail on the fish tape through the other opening, until it makes contact with the magnet.
How to drill through a fire block?
Use a flex bit to drill through the center of the fire block.
How many holes do you drill in a rectangle?
Drill two holes in opposite corners of the rectangle.
What to do if cable is not getting through?
If you're having trouble getting the cable through, try coating the tape with petroleum jelly.
How to get cable through wall?
This is my favorite method: Put the wire through the eyelet or around the hook, then wrap it around your fishing tool.
How to wrap a fishing hook?
This is my favorite method: Put the wire through the eyelet or around the hook, then wrap it around your fishing tool. Tape them together with electrical tape, making sure to taper the wrapped section so it will slide through holes.
How to hide TV wires?
The easiest way to hide TV wires is with an in-wall TV wiring kit ($60). Just cut holes for the two boxes, drop the wire down the wall and then plug in the extension cord. The kit is prewired with a male-ended plug and comes with an extension cord. This is especially helpful if a stud blocks a direct fishing route and you want to avoid a big wall-repair project.
How to run wire around corners?
Running wire around corners isn’t as hard as it seems; the key is to cut holes on each side of the corner. With a spade bit in an angle drill, or an angle attachment, drill a hole in each of the corner studs. This will give you a path to pull wire through.
How to get power without fishing wires?
Running wire on the wall surface with raceway is a great way to get power right where you want it without fishing wires through walls. You can hide the raceway behind furniture and paint it to match the wall. Build the raceway from an existing electrical box with snap- together components and hide the wire inside the channel.
How many ceilings do you need for a two story house?
In a two-story home, you’d have three ceilings to go through. But in older homes, sometimes this is as easy as lowering a plumb bob along the plumbing vent stack and pulling up the cable. Newer homes might not have enough space around the stack, but it’s worth checking first.
Why push cable into ceiling?
First, it makes the job of hooking the cable you’re fishing much easier. It also eliminates lots of tugging, which can damage fragile Cat 6 cables.
How far through the hole do you cut fish tape?
Once you pull the wire into your ceiling access hole, bring about 2 or 3 feet through the hole and cut wire from the end of the fish tape. Now you can finish up the installation!
Where to make a reference point for wire?
Visualize where the wire will be coming across the ceiling (from the wall to the box) and make a reference point by marking the wall in that spot. If you are picking up the feed from an existing switch or outlet, then you will want to make your reference point directly above where the wall intersects with the ceiling.
How long should you keep fishing tape?
Keep fishing tape until the end is pulled out of the outlet or switch access hole.
Where should the feed box be when installing a new switch?
As stated earlier, it should be exactly below the intersecting access point.
Can you hook up a wire to a power source?
Never connect the wire to a power source before fishing it through a ceiling or wall.
Can you run electric wire through the ceiling?
Running electric across a ceiling sometimes requires you to enter into the attic--but if you are lucky enough--you may just be able to run the cable across the ceiling without setting foot in insulation. Here is how to fish wire through a ceiling. Advertisement.
How to fish a cable in the attic?
From the attic or basement, pull steadily on the fish tape while a helper feeds the cable into the wall opening. It may take some finessing as the tip of the fish tape blade passes through the drilled hole in the wall plate. Be gentle as you fish the cable through the hole since it is important not to tear the sheathing on the cable. It helps to pull in short, 2- to 3-foot intervals, so that the cable is being pulled at the same time your helper is feeding from the other end.
How to make a fish tape head?
Strip about 6 inches of outer sheathing from one end of the cable, then hook the conducting wires and bare copper grounding wire through the loop at the end of the fish tape blade. Bend the wires over, and wrap several loops of electrical tape around the wires and the end of the fish tape. The goal is to have a smooth head that will easily slide through the hole in the wall plate without getting caught.
Where do you run cable in a basement?
When adding or replacing wiring in finished walls, most electricians will attempt to make the horizontal portion of the cable run in the unfinished attic, basement, or crawlspace areas, looping the cable down or up through the wall cavity, across the floor or ceiling joists, and then vertically through another stud cavity to the next wall box opening. For the horizontal portion of the cable run, this can involve drilling holes in the joists where the cable will pass.
What is the best way to coat electrical cables?
Professional electricians often use a lube product to coat the cable as it's being pulled through wall plates. The cable lube makes the cable slippery and reduces the likelihood of tearing the sheathing as it passes through the drilled hole. It also reduces the effort required to pull the cable.
Why do you loop wires in a house?
But when you are running wire in existing construction, the looping method prevents the expensive and time-consuming process of opening up walls and patching them after the wires are run.
Where do you run NM cable?
Remember to consult your local code on requirements for running cable. For example, in exposed locations such as open basements or attics, NM cable usually needs to be run through holes or notches cut in joists rather than stapled to the face of the joists. Thus, when looping a length of NM cable between new wall boxes, the process may involve running it through holes drilled in the floor joists in order to reach the stud cavity.
Can you remove drywall and run wires through studs?
During major remodeling projects, you can route the wires where you need them to be by removing the drywall and running cables through studs and ceiling cavities. In other situations, it is neither practical nor desirable to remove drywall—it is a messy, expensive process that is best avoided if you can.
How to make a hole in a wall?
Draw a 2-by-4-inch box on both the ceiling and wall. Use a carpenter's square or ruler to ensure straight lines. Cut through the wall sheathing to create a hole. Use a utility knife for drywall or a reciprocating saw for wood. When complete, the two holes connect at the ceiling-to-wall seam in an "L" shape.
How to tie a plumb bob to a wall?
Drill or notch the brace similarly. When the plumb bob drops to the bottom of the wall, tie the fish tape to the top end of the plumb bob cord and pull both the plumb bob and fish tape through the bottom hole. Split the coating surrounding the electrical wire to expose the individual wires. Push the wires through the loop on the end ...
What is snake fish tape?
Snake fish tape, a piece of thin steel wire designed to guide and retrieve wiring, through the light fixture hole in the ceiling toward the wall-to-ceiling access hole. The tape's rigidity allows you to extend it between joists fairly easily; forcing the fish tape over obstacles may require some wiggling and maneuvering, however.
How to wrap a wire in a loop?
Push the wires through the loop on the end of the fish tape, then bend the wires back to create an interlocking loop. Use electrical or duct tape to wrap around the wires where they double back. This will keep the fish tape and wire from separating.
When to run electrical wire?
The ideal time to run wiring is during construction, when the wall cavities and framing are still open and routing electrical wire is merely a matter of pulling wire and stapling it in place. Unfortunately, sometimes you need to run electrical wiring for light switches and light fixtures or electrical outlets after the fact. To connect a ceiling light fixture to a light switch in your house, snake the wire through the ceiling and walls via access holes, a process known as "fishing" the wire.
How to fish wire through a string?
Pull the string from above to fish the wire through. You can also tie a wad of paper to the end of the string and then use a vacuum to suck the string from one opening to another. Draw the wire along with a magnet. A magnet may be the most effective method for long vertical distances or tricky corners.
How to change a wire in a house?
Turn off the power. Shut off the electricity to the circuit you are modifying. Double check with a multimeter or a current tester at the closest outlet where you plan to connect the wires . Try to work during the day so there's natural light.
How deep should a ceiling joist be?
Ceiling joist: center the hole vertically, not through the top or bottom 3" (5 cm). Avoid the ends of the joist as well as the middle third. The maximum diameter is ⅓ of the actual depth of the joist (not the depth as labeled).
How to make a magnet stick to a cable?
Tape a powerful magnet (such as a rare earth magnet) onto the end of the cable. Stick the magnet and cable through one opening. Tie an iron nail or similar object to a fish tape. Lower the nail on the fish tape through the other opening, until it makes contact with the magnet.
How to drill through a fire block?
Use a flex bit to drill through the center of the fire block.
How many holes do you drill in a rectangle?
Drill two holes in opposite corners of the rectangle.
What to do if cable is not getting through?
If you're having trouble getting the cable through, try coating the tape with petroleum jelly.
Overview
Things You Should Know
- Check your local electric and building codes to see what type of wiring you can do. Turn off the …
Run the wires in between the studs in your wall. Use a stud finder to check for any obstructions. - Cut a hole in your wall with a drywall saw. Make another hole in the top or bottom plate of the w…
Secure the wires to a fish tape using electrical tape. Slowly pull the fish tape and wires through the wall.
Expert Q&A Did you know you can get premium answers for this article? Unlock premium answers by supporting wikiHow
- What's the trickiest part of fishing wires through walls?
Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer. - The trickiest part is when you run into something blocking the wires that you wouldn't expect to …
Thanks! We’re glad this was helpful.
Warnings
- If at any point you don’t feel comfortable working on your home’s wiring, contact an electrician to run and fish the wires for you.
About This Article
- This article was co-authored by Jesse Kuhlman and by wikiHow staff writer, Hunter Rising. Jess…
Categories: Electrical Wiring and Safety Switches