Full Answer
How to run ethernet cable through 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 run speaker wire through walls and ceilings?
Navigation for Electrical
- Take the easy path. Run wires between the studs, not through them. ...
- Inspect the stud bay. After you cut the hole where the speaker will be mounted, check the bay for wires or pipes. ...
- Drill through the plates. ...
- Fish the wire. ...
- Follow up. ...
Can I run electrical wiring through basement ceiling joists?
cable is run at angles with joists in unfinished basements and crawl spaces, it shall be permissible to secure cables not smaller than two 6 AWG or three 8 AWG conductors directly to the lower edges of the joists. Smaller cables shall be run either through bored holes in joists or on running boards.
How to install a ceiling fan and wire the switch?
- Connect the green wire to the household ground wire (copper/bare wire).
- Connect your white wires together and secure with wire nut.
- Connect the red wire in the ceiling to the black wire in the light kit and the black wire in the ceiling to the black wire in the fan.
- Tuck the wires back into the box.
- Turn the power back on and test the fan.
What color wires are used for a ceiling fan?
How many volts does a ceiling fan need?
How many watts does a fan motor draw?
Can you use fish tape to run wires?
Is it easy to wire a house?
Can a ceiling light be a junction box?
Do light fixtures have a neutral ground?
See 4 more
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How do you run wires above ceiling?
2:005:44How to Run/Fish Electrical Wire Through Walls & Ceilings - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStep 3 drill a hole in the ceiling or floor if you'll be running cable through the ceiling carefullyMoreStep 3 drill a hole in the ceiling or floor if you'll be running cable through the ceiling carefully drill a hole with the 1/8 inch drill bit through the ceiling above the new wall box location.
How do you trace electrical wires in the ceiling?
0:001:06How to trace wires behind walls, ceilings and floors - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTurn on the receiver and push the function button until precision mode is selected scan the wall andMoreTurn on the receiver and push the function button until precision mode is selected scan the wall and adjust the sensitivity. Until you find a signal strength of 50 to 75%.
How do you run a wire through the ceiling without an attic?
0:053:08How to run wires easily through ceiling without cutting drywall ..See ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat's good if you want to run wires. Because then you have access all over the place. So basicallyMoreThat's good if you want to run wires. Because then you have access all over the place. So basically you're recessed cans are your ceiling joists are going to run back and forth.
Can you run electricity through ceiling?
If there is no space in the attic or ceiling cavity to use a running board, then running electrical wires through the channel between ceiling joists is generally easiest. In this case, fixing the wire directly to the joist is best, don't just lay the wire in the cavity.
How do you trace electrical wires without power?
How to Trace a Wire with No PowerUsing the Circuit Breaker. If each circuit breaker is properly labeled, you can quickly determine the area or device that it connects to. ... Stud Finder. Vertical electrical wires usually run along wall studs. ... Voltage Detector. ... Tone Generator.
How do you trace House wires?
2:0613:44The BEST Way To Trace Wires Hidden Inside Your Walls! DIY How ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOut where the cable is simplest way to explain this is that you attach these to whatever cable orMoreOut where the cable is simplest way to explain this is that you attach these to whatever cable or wire that you want to trace. And the closer you get to the end of it.
Can you rewire a house without removing drywall?
As most homeowners are concerned with the disruptiveness of the process, a question electricians get a lot is “can a house be rewired without removing drywall?”. The answer is usually yes, and even a whole house rewiring can in some cases be done with minimum disruption.
How do I run wires in my attic?
1:172:33Running cable in Attic Spaces - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo a better practice is to use something like that over there which is known as a j-hook. You takeMoreSo a better practice is to use something like that over there which is known as a j-hook. You take your J hook. And you mount it a few feet. Up off the the the joist so that it's actually hanging.
How do you install a junction box in a ceiling?
1:202:40How to Install an Electrical Ceiling Box for a Light Fixture - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOh. Yeah I went on to install the light this is the mounting plate that needed to be mounted to theMoreOh. Yeah I went on to install the light this is the mounting plate that needed to be mounted to the ceiling. Box. And here's a light all done.
How do you fish wire through a wall and ceiling?
2:1910:58Uncommon Tricks to Fish Wire Through Walls and Ceilings QuicklyYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut once that hole is drilled into the ceiling right above the box i would stick this wire throughMoreBut once that hole is drilled into the ceiling right above the box i would stick this wire through the hole. So that it sits there and when i get up into the attic i just look for that wire.
Does wiring have to be stapled?
In the codebook, section 334.30 states that flat cables must be stapled on the flat side of the cable, not on the edge. This provides a tight wire connection to the stud and prevents any damage to the wire sheathing.
How high should electrical wires run in walls?
0:363:10How High Should Wires Run Through a Wall - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipGoing up to switches. And down to receptacles. So it kind of makes sense to choose a height that'sMoreGoing up to switches. And down to receptacles. So it kind of makes sense to choose a height that's in the middle and the height that I would recommend choosing is 30 inches above the floor.
Can I use a multimeter to trace a wire?
To trace a wire with a multimeter, you set your multimeter to Ohms or continuity, place your red probe on one wire ending and then place the black probe on a suspected ending. If the multimeter reads “0” or beeps, then that is where the wire traces to.
How do you find electrical wires in plaster 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.
Can a stud finder find wires?
Electronic models with advanced scanners have stud detection technology that can pinpoint electrical wires and a non-ferrous metal like copper piping. With a stud finder, you can locate wires or wood studs using a magnetic stud finder or you can use electronic stud finders.
What happens if you drill into a live wire?
Hitting a wire or pipe could cause serious injuries to the person holding the drill and could damage the home as well. Aside from you getting electrocuted and ending up in the emergency room, a fire could start, or your home could get flooded.
Running wires in finished ceiling.... - DIY Home Improvement Forum
Hey everyone! So i'm remodeling the kitchen on our 1st floor of our two story home. We currently have 4 can lights that were removed and i installed some ultra thin LED inserts into. However, i would like to add 2 more of these fixtures. The question is, how can i run the wire in a finished...
What is the easiest method to fish cable through the ceiling?
The real truth is, there is no easy cheap way to do this.you are going to have to do a little of most of these suggestions. Cut access holes, use a drill bit extender, patch, tape, mud, texture, match paint or possibly repaint entire ceiling.
Dangerous to Run Cables through a Wall? - How to Safely Run Cables!
There are some important things to remember when you want to safely run cables through a wall. You may want to just go for it! Cut two holes in your wall then feed the wire between them.
What is suspended ceiling?from ehow.com
Suspended ceilings offer simple access to utilities such as plumbing, electric, and heating and cooling systems. Suspended ceilings also provide excellent accessibility when running wires from one part of a room to another. Wiring should never be laid across the top of suspended ceiling tiles; a simple system of clamps and conduit should be ...
What is speaker wire?from ehow.com
Speaker Wire for Power Cable. A common use, for example, might be to use speaker wire as the power cable for a lamp or other low-power electrical device. Typically, you'll need to disassemble the device at least partially to remove the old cord. Inside, the power cord usually attaches through some kind of screws or terminals.
How far through the hole do you cut fish tape?from ehow.com
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!
How deep should a notch be on a top plate?from ehow.com
The notch should be at least 1-inch deep and 3/4 inches wide. Advertisement.
How long should you keep fishing tape?from ehow.com
Keep fishing tape until the end is pulled out of the outlet or switch access hole.
Where to make a reference point for wire?from ehow.com
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.
Where should the feed box be when installing a new switch?from ehow.com
As stated earlier, it should be exactly below the intersecting access point.
What color wires are used for a ceiling fan?
On every ceiling light or fan out of the manufacturer’s box are standardized colour coded wires by law. Black/red are the hot legs (the “Ceiling” wire as commonly stated in the installation instructions), white are neutral and green are ground. These are easy. What isn’t easy is knowing which black and white wire in the junction box are hot or neutral; which cable runs from or to the panel and which runs to the switch. These have to be ascertained and why it’s much safer and easier to hire a qualified electrician or learn the how-to of residential wiring under experienced mentor guidance and supervision before tackling a ceiling fan project or any wiring.
How many volts does a ceiling fan need?
This question depends on your location. In the United States, electrical appliances like ceiling fans are 110–120 volts, and black wires are “hot”, white wires are neutral. Red wires suggest the circuit is 220/240 volts, but it sounds like a ground wire, green or bare copper is missing, so therein lies a problem. If you wire the fan up with white to white, and black to black, the fan should work whether the red wire is another 120 volt “leg” or not, but it doesn’t need to be dead ended in the junction box if it is hot, or has voltage on it. We often use 3 wire Romex with ground, for three way
How many watts does a fan motor draw?
The fan motor itself draws 0.54 amps (64.8 watts), the 4 LED lights draw 36 watts for a total load of 101 watts. The fan motor will draw more on start up; let’s double the load to 200 watts per fan.
Can you use fish tape to run wires?
If the ceiling is between floors it becomes more complicated. If running wires between studs you can use a fish tape but if you have to run the wires across the studs you cut small key holes out of the drywall and drill holes through the studs, fishing the wires through the holes as you go. Try to save the drywall cutouts to patch the holes when you're done.
Is it easy to wire a house?
Residential wiring is fairly easy if one accurately traces each hot and neutral wire to the panel and remembers to shut the power off when replacing fixtures and plugs. Electricians commonly loop a white wire, as hot, from switch to fixture, just how it is.
Can a ceiling light be a junction box?
The ceiling junction box for light fixtures or fans can be either ‘power through junction’ or ‘power through switch’. The hot wire from the breaker panel to power a ceiling light or fan can be directly routed from the panel to the fixture or from a wall switch. The installer always has to determine, by prudent testing, what the real hot wire is and where it comes from. And the hot wire can be white with no marking.
Do light fixtures have a neutral ground?
All basic light fixtures have a hot and neutral, plus bare copper ground. In North America, a black and white wire run from basic light fixtures, not the box, which could be wired in many different ways. When you removed the old light it had a hot and neutral wire, both probably capped. The black connected to the hot and white to neutral, or would’ve never worked as a light.
What is a metal nail guard?
Nail metal nail guards, a plate-like covering, over the wire if running it through notches in the stud and joist faces. This prevents accidentally hitting it with a nail in the future.
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 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 ...
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 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.
What is the top wall plate?
The top wall plate is the horizontal board that runs across the top of the vertical wall studs. Bore additional holes, horizontal and side to side, in each stud the wiring must pass through, if any. Use a 3/4-inch bit or a hole saw of similar size. These holes will allow the wiring to pass through the wall framing.
What degree did Karie Fay get?
Karie Fay earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology with a minor in law from the University of Arkansas at Monticello. After growing up in construction and with more than 30 years in the field, she believes a girl can swing a hammer with the best of them. She enjoys "green" or innovative solutions and unusual construction.
What is crown molding?
Crown Molding. Most homes use crown moldings to cover the intersections of ceilings and walls. The crown molding usually adds decorative flair, but it also serves the purpose of hiding ugly gaps between ceilings and walls. However, you can also use crown moldings to hide electrical wires. By placing these wires along the ceiling edges behind ...
How do wire covers work?
The way they work is simple. You basically stick them on to the ceiling, run the electrical wires through them, and then slide the cover on top to conceal the wires.
What is a drop ceiling?
Drop ceilings, or suspended ceilings, hang slightly lower than the original one and are great for covering up unsightly features like sprinkler system heads or ceiling wires. These ceilings are more popular in office buildings, but some homes incorporate them too.
What is cord concealer?
Cord concealers are a type of plastic tubing that are inexpensive options and are also easy to install. You can find these cord concealers in a variety of sizes and lengths to suit any home electrical needs.
Can you put wires on the ceiling behind crown molding?
By placing these wires along the ceiling edges behind the crown molding, you can have a sleek, minimalistic look without the eyesore of wires and cables. If you already have crown molding installed, you will have to remove it, run the wiring across the intersection, and then reinstall the crown molding. If you are looking to install crown molding ...
Can you hide electrical wires on the ceiling?
Having exposed electrical wires on a ceiling can be distracting and unattractive. Luckily, there are some clever ways to hide electrical wires on your ceiling. So, if you’re looking to hide exposed wiring from light fixtures, speakers, or a television, then this is for you!
Can you run wires through the ceiling without them being visible?
If none of these ideas seems like a viable option for your home, you can drill (or cut) small holes in the ceiling to run electrical wires through the room without having them visible. This method may not work for everyone, but it is an option that some homeowners choose to employ to keep the look of a room uncluttered and wire-free.
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!
How deep should a notch be on a top plate?
The notch should be at least 1-inch deep and 3/4 inches wide. Advertisement.
How long should you keep fishing tape?
Keep fishing tape until the end is pulled out of the outlet or switch access hole.
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.
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 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.
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.
What color wires are used for a ceiling fan?
On every ceiling light or fan out of the manufacturer’s box are standardized colour coded wires by law. Black/red are the hot legs (the “Ceiling” wire as commonly stated in the installation instructions), white are neutral and green are ground. These are easy. What isn’t easy is knowing which black and white wire in the junction box are hot or neutral; which cable runs from or to the panel and which runs to the switch. These have to be ascertained and why it’s much safer and easier to hire a qualified electrician or learn the how-to of residential wiring under experienced mentor guidance and supervision before tackling a ceiling fan project or any wiring.
How many volts does a ceiling fan need?
This question depends on your location. In the United States, electrical appliances like ceiling fans are 110–120 volts, and black wires are “hot”, white wires are neutral. Red wires suggest the circuit is 220/240 volts, but it sounds like a ground wire, green or bare copper is missing, so therein lies a problem. If you wire the fan up with white to white, and black to black, the fan should work whether the red wire is another 120 volt “leg” or not, but it doesn’t need to be dead ended in the junction box if it is hot, or has voltage on it. We often use 3 wire Romex with ground, for three way
How many watts does a fan motor draw?
The fan motor itself draws 0.54 amps (64.8 watts), the 4 LED lights draw 36 watts for a total load of 101 watts. The fan motor will draw more on start up; let’s double the load to 200 watts per fan.
Can you use fish tape to run wires?
If the ceiling is between floors it becomes more complicated. If running wires between studs you can use a fish tape but if you have to run the wires across the studs you cut small key holes out of the drywall and drill holes through the studs, fishing the wires through the holes as you go. Try to save the drywall cutouts to patch the holes when you're done.
Is it easy to wire a house?
Residential wiring is fairly easy if one accurately traces each hot and neutral wire to the panel and remembers to shut the power off when replacing fixtures and plugs. Electricians commonly loop a white wire, as hot, from switch to fixture, just how it is.
Can a ceiling light be a junction box?
The ceiling junction box for light fixtures or fans can be either ‘power through junction’ or ‘power through switch’. The hot wire from the breaker panel to power a ceiling light or fan can be directly routed from the panel to the fixture or from a wall switch. The installer always has to determine, by prudent testing, what the real hot wire is and where it comes from. And the hot wire can be white with no marking.
Do light fixtures have a neutral ground?
All basic light fixtures have a hot and neutral, plus bare copper ground. In North America, a black and white wire run from basic light fixtures, not the box, which could be wired in many different ways. When you removed the old light it had a hot and neutral wire, both probably capped. The black connected to the hot and white to neutral, or would’ve never worked as a light.
