Fishing the wires through finished walls is the challenging part.
This is also the same process used when old wiring is replaced with new cable during system upgrades.
Does it involve simply extending a circuit from an existing outlet to a new outlet location?
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Are you running an entirely new circuit from the main service panel to multiple locations?
Or are you replacing an entire house full ofknob-and-tube wiringwith new NM cable?
Fun Fact
There is a third option for wiring.
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Consider Code Issues
Remember to consult yourlocal codeon requirements for running cable.
Also, check that the wire gauge is appropriate to the amperage of the circuit.
For standard 120-volt branch circuits, 12-gauge wire is used for 20-amp circuits and 14-gauge wire for 15-amp circuits.
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This is a fairly easy way to run cables from one box location to the next.
When the baseboards are reinstalled, the holes will be coveredno need for patching.
Need more help?
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Start by marking the desired location for the box on the walls.
When installing them in finished walls,electrical boxesshould be located between studs.
To do this, you must find the location of the wall studs, using a stud finder.
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Once the studs are located, outline the position of the old-work electrical boxes on the wall.
confirm the position of the new wall boxes is consistent with the location of other outlets in your house.
Outlets, for example, are typically between 12 and 18 inches above the floor.
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Cut out the box openings along the outline, using a drywall saw or jigsaw.
The cutout should exactly fit the outline of the electrical box.
This hole can be patched once the wiring work is completed.
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Apply firm pressure as you drill through the plate and into the basement, crawlspace, or attic space.
Stop immediately when you feel the drill bit penetrate the wall plate.
Enter the attic or crawlspace, and look for the wire extending through the drilled hole.
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ensure to allow about 2 feet of excess cable at each end.
Stretch out the cable and untwist any kinks in it.
This may become evident only when you are attempting to initiate the fish tape through the cavity.
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Complete the Cable Run
launch the free end of the cable to the next stud cavity location.
verify to use approved attachment methodsdrilling holes through joists or stapling the cable where required.
Then, pull the cable through the wall plate and out the next wall box opening.
You have now completed one cable run.
Professional electricians often use a lube product to coat the cable as it’s being pulled through wall plates.
It also reduces the effort required to pull the cable.
You could also use a string and a small weight to fish the wire.
