OK. Here's a pretty basic question but I'm not sure which is best.

When you're putting in wiring into an exterior wall framed with 2x4s, is it best
to put the wires on the INSIDE or OUTSIDE of the insulation? If on the inside,
the insulation would have to be fed in behind the wires.

Just wondering. It would work either way but I wonder which is best

wiring should be run through the CENTER of the studs to avoid the
possibility of a nail or screw being driven into it. What I've always
done when putting in fiberglass is to cut a slit across the width of
the batt about 2/3 of the way through the fiberglass side (don't cut
into the paper). If done even reasonably close to the wire run, the
wire will nest right inside the slit that was made and the fiberglass
fits nicely around it. No worries about stuffing insulation behind or
in front of the wire.

According to louie :
wiring should be run through the CENTER of the studs to avoid the
possibility of a nail or screw being driven into it. What I've always
done when putting in fiberglass is to cut a slit across the width of
the batt about 2/3 of the way through the fiberglass side (don't cut
into the paper). If done even reasonably close to the wire run, the
wire will nest right inside the slit that was made and the fiberglass
fits nicely around it. No worries about stuffing insulation behind or
in front of the wire.

Holes should be drilled thru the centre of the studs. Where the wire
is "loose" between studs, codewise, it doesn't matter because (a) an
errant nail or screw will push the wire aside, and (b), you do try
to avoid nails/screws between studs anyway ;-) Codewise, it only
matters where nails/screws are likely to be driven - thru the studs.

That said, slitting the batts helps avoid bunching up the insulation
and prevents voids. Better insulation value.
--
Chris Lewis, Una confibula non set est
It's not just anyone who gets a Starship Cruiser class named after them.

"Chris Lewis" wrote in message
...
According to louie :
wiring should be run through the CENTER of the studs to avoid the
possibility of a nail or screw being driven into it. What I've always
done when putting in fiberglass is to cut a slit across the width of
the batt about 2/3 of the way through the fiberglass side (don't cut
into the paper). If done even reasonably close to the wire run, the
wire will nest right inside the slit that was made and the fiberglass
fits nicely around it. No worries about stuffing insulation behind or
in front of the wire.

Holes should be drilled thru the centre of the studs. Where the wire
is "loose" between studs, codewise, it doesn't matter because (a) an
errant nail or screw will push the wire aside, and (b), you do try
to avoid nails/screws between studs anyway ;-) Codewise, it only
matters where nails/screws are likely to be driven - thru the studs.

What if it's a retrofit and one needs to snake a wire between joists in a
finished ceiling?

According to Martik :

"Chris Lewis" wrote in message
...
According to louie :
wiring should be run through the CENTER of the studs to avoid the
possibility of a nail or screw being driven into it. What I've always
done when putting in fiberglass is to cut a slit across the width of
the batt about 2/3 of the way through the fiberglass side (don't cut
into the paper). If done even reasonably close to the wire run, the
wire will nest right inside the slit that was made and the fiberglass
fits nicely around it. No worries about stuffing insulation behind or
in front of the wire.

Holes should be drilled thru the centre of the studs. Where the wire
is "loose" between studs, codewise, it doesn't matter because (a) an
errant nail or screw will push the wire aside, and (b), you do try
to avoid nails/screws between studs anyway ;-) Codewise, it only
matters where nails/screws are likely to be driven - thru the studs.

What if it's a retrofit and one needs to snake a wire between joists in a
finished ceiling?

Code is considerably more forgiving with renovations - code is intended
to protect the wire primarily before and during the covering of bare
studs/joists with drywall or whatever you're using. Once the wall covering
is up, the risk factors greatly reduce - the wire is in the wall and can't
be snagged any more, and you're not going to be driving very many more wall
board fasteners (absent another renovation ;-)

That means, for example, that fished wire doesn't need code-compliant
support/strapping every 5'.

[This obviously does NOT apply to exposed wiring in attics and basements.]

Assuming your question is about a non-attic ceiling (floor above). You can
fish it any old way. If you have to cross the joists, you drill through.

Yes, you do need to drill your holes _away_ from the joist top and bottom.
Not so much from the electrical code perspective (tho "fastening" the
wire in harms way is a bad idea regardless), but to avoid weakening
the joists.
--
Chris Lewis, Una confibula non set est
It's not just anyone who gets a Starship Cruiser class named after them.

"Chris Lewis" wrote in message
...
According to Martik :

"Chris Lewis" wrote in message
...
According to louie :
wiring should be run through the CENTER of the studs to avoid the
possibility of a nail or screw being driven into it. What I've always
done when putting in fiberglass is to cut a slit across the width of
the batt about 2/3 of the way through the fiberglass side (don't cut
into the paper). If done even reasonably close to the wire run, the
wire will nest right inside the slit that was made and the fiberglass
fits nicely around it. No worries about stuffing insulation behind or
in front of the wire.

Holes should be drilled thru the centre of the studs. Where the wire
is "loose" between studs, codewise, it doesn't matter because (a) an
errant nail or screw will push the wire aside, and (b), you do try
to avoid nails/screws between studs anyway ;-) Codewise, it only
matters where nails/screws are likely to be driven - thru the studs.

What if it's a retrofit and one needs to snake a wire between joists in a
finished ceiling?

Code is considerably more forgiving with renovations - code is intended
to protect the wire primarily before and during the covering of bare
studs/joists with drywall or whatever you're using. Once the wall
covering
is up, the risk factors greatly reduce - the wire is in the wall and can't
be snagged any more, and you're not going to be driving very many more
wall
board fasteners (absent another renovation ;-)

That means, for example, that fished wire doesn't need code-compliant
support/strapping every 5'.

[This obviously does NOT apply to exposed wiring in attics and basements.]

Assuming your question is about a non-attic ceiling (floor above). You
can
fish it any old way. If you have to cross the joists, you drill through.

Yes, you do need to drill your holes _away_ from the joist top and bottom.
Not so much from the electrical code perspective (tho "fastening" the
wire in harms way is a bad idea regardless), but to avoid weakening
the joists.


Thanks for the clarification. Yes, it is a non-attic ceiling and those
attic wires hidden under the loose fireglass in the attic are a real PITA
when one is walking about up there.