Hello all,

I want to run cabled from the breaker box to my basement. I also want
to be able to easily add new cables for whatever reason as I expand in
the future. Now, I could make a box section out of 1x1's, a couple of
inches apart, fixed to the walls, with a ply wood cover along its
length, which could be removed to add new wires.

Has anyone does this or something like this? I just dont want to find
out later that it needs to be some special material, or armored, or
some other problem.

Any tips welcomed!

Dean

"dean" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hello all,

I want to run cabled from the breaker box to my basement. I also want
to be able to easily add new cables for whatever reason as I expand in
the future. Now, I could make a box section out of 1x1's, a couple of
inches apart, fixed to the walls, with a ply wood cover along its
length, which could be removed to add new wires.

Has anyone does this or something like this? I just dont want to find
out later that it needs to be some special material, or armored, or
some other problem.

Any tips welcomed!

Dean

Wire mold or Walker duct 3000 series and bigger , NO the borg stores will
not have this.
You might try an electrical recycler, I have sold some in the past.
Some of the larger sizes can be barrier so you can run different voltages,
like communication in one side and power on the other. This stuff is not
pretty or cheap, but will last for ever. Once painted it almost disappears
if run at the ceiling.


one bys and plywood, yuck

If your going between floors you need it sealed so the box area doesnt
act like a chimney and spread fire....

many use conduit, like 4 inch plastic pipe covered or sealed at both
ends. add 2 to make future additions easy.

You'd be better off running PVC conduit and pulling lengths of rope with the
wires. Then if you have to pull more wires later, you can just use one of
the ropes.

"dean" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hello all,

I want to run cabled from the breaker box to my basement. I also want
to be able to easily add new cables for whatever reason as I expand in
the future. Now, I could make a box section out of 1x1's, a couple of
inches apart, fixed to the walls, with a ply wood cover along its
length, which could be removed to add new wires.

Has anyone does this or something like this? I just dont want to find
out later that it needs to be some special material, or armored, or
some other problem.

Any tips welcomed!

Dean

Yes, I have done it. Had to replace a beam in the basement. Wound up
with 4 or 5 runs of romex stapled to the outside of the beam. Added 1X
+ 1/2" chipboard cover. Been into it a couple times. Simple and neat
when painted. Is it code? I don't know.

Harry K

dean wrote:
Hello all,

I want to run cabled from the breaker box to my basement. I also want
to be able to easily add new cables for whatever reason as I expand in
the future. Now, I could make a box section out of 1x1's, a couple of
inches apart, fixed to the walls, with a ply wood cover along its
length, which could be removed to add new wires.

Has anyone does this or something like this? I just dont want to find
out later that it needs to be some special material, or armored, or
some other problem.

Any tips welcomed!

Building a chase, running some conduit, or even just running some rope
to simplify pulling later on are all acceptable. As long as you're
thinking towards future access and needs, you'll do fine.

I stick access panels and chases everywhere I can. Yesterday I had to
run some S-video and the access panel I had made inside a built-in
hamper in the bathroom I built a couple years ago made it a trivial
matter. Otherwise it would have been either a nightmare or impossible
without tearing the place apart.

R

Can a chase be made of wood? If so, could you tell me in a few words
what a good design would be? I was thinking some 1x1 wood, spaced 2
inches apart, plus a plywood cover all the way along. Sounds ok?

Thanks all very much for the info!

Dean

On Mon, 16 Jan 2006 11:07:05 -0800, dean wrote:

Can a chase be made of wood? If so, could you tell me in a few words
what a good design would be? I was thinking some 1x1 wood, spaced 2
inches apart, plus a plywood cover all the way along. Sounds ok?

Why not? Romex goes through wood floor joists and wall studs/cavities.
I'd not make it too small so there is no danger of heat. A hunk or two of
PVC condiut as a "chase" may be easier though. As others have said,
even a few ropes to pulll new wires (and another rope with it) may be good
enough. Also be sure to seperate line and low-voltage wires in seperate
chases.

--
Keith

Good call on the size. Thanks.